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How Outdoor Play and Multi-Sport Activities Boost Kids’ Motor Skills, According to a New Study


 

🧠 A Simple Way to Boost Your Child’s Development? Let Them Play Outside.

It turns out that giving your child time to play outdoors or try different sports could do more than just wear them out for bedtime. A recent study out of Finland has found that kids who engage in diverse physical activities—like running outside or playing multiple sports—develop stronger motor skills as they grow.

The research, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, followed over 600 children between the ages of 3 and 8 over three years. It showed that just 30 minutes of daily outdoor activity—even unstructured play—made a noticeable difference.

⚽ Why Playing More Than One Sport Matters

The standout insight? Children who participated in two or more sports developed:

  • Better balance and coordination

  • Stronger hand-eye skills

  • Improved catching, throwing, and running abilities

According to lead researcher Nanne-Mari Luukkainen from the University of Jyvaskyla:

“Engaging in two or more sports during early childhood predicted better motor competence later in school age.”

Trying different sports seems to help kids develop a broader range of movements and reflexes, setting the stage for better overall physical health.

🌿 The Power of Outdoor Play

The study also emphasized the role of independent outdoor play—think tag, climbing, or even sandbox fun. Kids who spent time outdoors after daycare or preschool performed better in fundamental movement skill tests, including jumping and lateral coordination.

Just 30 minutes of outdoor play per day had measurable effects.

👧 Why the Study Had Bigger Benefits for Girls

Interestingly, the benefits of outdoor play and varied sports activities were even more noticeable in girls. Researchers think this may be because boys are often more active naturally, so when girls are encouraged to move and explore physically, they see a bigger developmental gain.

🧒 Skills That Improved with Physical Variety:

  • Running and walking posture

  • Jumping ability (especially lateral jumps)

  • Hand control (throwing, catching, holding)

  • Total body coordination

✅ What Parents and Educators Can Do

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, here are some actionable ways to support your child’s physical development:

  • Encourage kids to try different sports—even just casually.

  • Make time for unstructured outdoor play every day.

  • Avoid pushing kids into one sport too early—diversity is key.

  • Create a balanced routine with room for fun and movement.

📌 Final Thoughts: Movement Is More Than Just Play

We often think of play as a break from learning—but in reality, play is where some of the most important learning happens. Whether it’s climbing, skipping, throwing a ball, or playing tag, these moments shape how your child grows, learns, and moves through life.

📚 Learn More

Want to understand more about child development and movement milestones? Visit Brown University’s guide to child motor skills for in-depth resources. (link placeholder)

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