Why Our Kids Are Spending Less Time Outside Than Prisoners?
It may sound unbelievable, but many children today spend less time outdoors than inmates in maximum-security prisons. I was staggered when I read this statistic from 2017, https://fee.org/articles/inmates-spend-more-time-outside-than-kids/
Some children get less than half an hour of fresh air each day, while prisoners are guaranteed much more. This comparison highlights a growing problem: children’s lives have become increasingly structured, screen-based, and indoor-focused. If those in prison have more outdoor time than our children, something needs to change.
The Power of PE, Outdoor Learning, and Sport
Physical education, outdoor learning, and sports have the potential to reverse this trend. They provide structure, guidance, and motivation, helping children reconnect with movement, nature, and each other. When schools prioritise outdoor activity, children naturally gain access to healthier routines and more balanced lifestyles.
How PE Pro and Outdoor Pro Can Make a Real Difference
Schools often want to increase outdoor time but struggle with consistency, planning, and curriculum pressure. This is where PE Pro and Outdoor Pro can make a significant impact.
PE Pro: A Complete PE Scheme of Work
PE Pro gives schools a ready-made, high-quality PE curriculum that ensures every child receives regular, well-structured physical education. With clear lesson plans, progression pathways, and engaging activities, PE Pro removes barriers that might stop teachers from delivering confident, active, and enjoyable PE lessons. Because lessons are planned with movement, physical literacy, and outdoor play in mind, PE Pro naturally increases the amount of time children spend outdoors.
It also encourages teachers to use fields, playgrounds, and open spaces more creatively, giving children opportunities to develop coordination, strength, fitness, and teamwork in an outdoor environment.
Outdoor Pro: A Complete Outdoor Learning Scheme
Outdoor Pro supports schools in taking learning beyond the classroom. It gives teachers the guidance, confidence, and resources they need to deliver outdoor education across the curriculum. This means subjects like science, maths, art, and storytelling can happen in nature, not just behind a desk.
By having a structured scheme of work, schools no longer rely on occasional outdoor lessons. Instead, outdoor learning becomes a regular, planned part of a child’s weekly experience. Outdoor Pro also encourages exploration, risk-taking, creativity, and connection with the natural world, helping children build confidence, resilience, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Together, PE Pro and Outdoor Pro provide a complete approach: one focused on physical development and sport, the other on outdoor learning and nature-based exploration. Combined, they offer schools the tools to significantly increase outdoor time in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Physical Health Benefits
Time outdoors supports children’s physical health in powerful ways. Activities like running, climbing, balancing, and exploring build strong bones and muscles. Being in natural sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D. Children who spend more time outdoors also tend to have healthier weight, stronger immune systems, and better overall fitness.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
The outdoors gives children a vital emotional reset. Nature helps reduce stress, anxiety, and anger. Children who learn and play outside often show improved mood, higher self-esteem, and greater confidence. The combination of physical activity and natural environments also supports better sleep and emotional regulation. For children who struggle with attention or restlessness, outdoor time can be especially beneficial.
Social Skills and Emotional Intelligence
Outdoor play helps children learn to communicate, share, negotiate, and solve problems together. Whether through PE activities, team sports, or outdoor learning tasks, children develop cooperation, empathy, leadership, and resilience. Outdoor risk-taking, such as navigating uneven surfaces or climbing safely, teaches decision-making and builds independence.
Cognitive and Academic Benefits
Outdoor environments naturally inspire curiosity and creativity. Children concentrate better after spending time outside, leading to improved classroom behaviour and learning. Outdoor learning encourages children to experiment, explore, question, and think critically. Schools that integrate outdoor education into the curriculum often see boosts in engagement and overall academic achievement.
A Long-Term Impact on Health and Habits
Regular access to outdoor activity helps children form positive habits that last into adulthood. They become more active, more connected to nature, and more aware of their physical and emotional wellbeing. Outdoor time also helps build a sense of community and belonging, especially when children take part in sports, group challenges, and shared outdoor experiences.
How Schools, Communities, and Parents Can Support Change
Schools can make outdoor activity a priority by using resources like PE Pro and Outdoor Pro to embed physical and outdoor learning into daily routines. Communities can support this by protecting green spaces, supporting local sports clubs, and encouraging family outdoor activities. Parents can play their part by valuing outdoor time, limiting unnecessary screen use, and encouraging children to play and explore outside regularly.
Conclusion
The fact that children spend less time outdoors than prisoners is a wake-up call, but it also gives us a clear direction forward. By using high-quality resources like PE Pro and Outdoor Pro, schools can provide children with regular, meaningful outdoor experiences. Through physical education, sport, and outdoor learning, we can raise healthier, happier, more resilient children who benefit from fresh air, movement, and nature every day.