Holiday Giving: Ways to Support Outdoor Play this Holiday

I am wrapping up this week of holiday giving posts with the Outdoor Play Party. Today I would love to introduce you, or re-introduce you, to a group of great organizations that are working to find ways for children to spend more time outdoors playing. I love reading about the research that supports the benefits – mentally, socially and physically – of outdoor play. It is great to know that there are organizations working around the world to push the outdoor play movement agenda.

KaBoom! – Since 1996 KaBoom! has been working to build not only playgrounds, but building healthy and happy children across the United States. KaBoom! helps communities bring their outdoor play dreams to life through grants and online training programs.

Play England  -This UK based organization’s main mission is for children in England to enjoy outdoor play through out their childhood and teen years. The work they do in the UK has an impact on the world. In fact, Play England is one of the founding member of the next group…

Project Wild Thing – Project Wild Thing is very exciting. It is a film and a movement that’s sole purpose is to get children to unplug from the electronic world and reconnect with nature. You really have to go check out the trailer for the film.

Children & Nature Network – Their vision is simple, to live in a “world where all children play, learn and grow with nature in their everyday lives.” C&NN is about working on the scientific research, making the policy changes and supporting international change.

There are many more organizations, big and small, all around the globe doing amazing things for children around outdoor play. These really are just a few. This holiday season you might consider directing your holiday donation money to one of these groups. Another great option is to think about ways that you can make incredible memories with your children…outdoors. Visit a local park, go for a hike, take a trip to a zoo or farm (more on this idea at the next outdoor play party). Get outside and connect with nature and your family this Christmas.

Now, it’s time to get on with the Outdoor Play Party. Last week there were so many fun posts linked up. Here are a few of my favourites…

Take a peek through a magnifying glass with Teach Me Mommy.
Celebrate spring, on the other side of the world, through nature art with Danya Banya.
Explore nature and language development with How Wee Learn.

If you were featured this week, go ahead and grab our “Featured at the Outdoor Play Party” button for your site. Feel free to grab our button and place it in your site’s side bar, or add a link back to our party. We will happily share your post on Facebook, Twitter and the Outdoor Play Party Pinterest pagefollow. By contributing your post to this linky party you are giving permission for an image and link to your post to be republished if you are featured.