How Outdoor Play Supports Physical Literacy in the Early Years
Physical literacy plays a vital role in children’s early development. It underpins how children move, explore their environment and build confidence in their physical abilities. In the Early Years, physical literacy is not about structured exercise or performance, but about developing the fundamental movement skills and enjoyment that stems from being active and how this boosts confidence, motivation and engagement in physical activity long in to the future.
Outdoor play provides rich opportunities for physical development through movement, exploration and interaction with the environment. As children engage with outdoor spaces and familiar playground features such as climbing frames, trim trails and balance equipment, they learn through trial and error, developing control and resilience as well as coordination and confidence in their own abilities.
Why Physical Literacy Matters in the Early Years
Physical literacy in the Early Years lays the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing. It supports children’s ability to move confidently, understand their bodies and engage positively with physical activity. It is the start of a life long journey of physical competence, motivation to try new challenges and build upon knowledge and understanding of the health benefits that physical activity brings and how to participate safely.
Within the EYFS, physical development is a prime area of learning. Regular movement supports strength, coordination and confidence, while also contributing to focus, resilience and readiness to learn. Outdoor play offers the time, space and variety children need to develop these skills naturally, through active exploration and play.
The Link Between Physical Development and Learning Through Play
Learning through play in EYFS practice recognises that movement is closely connected to learning. Physical development through outdoor play supports gross motor skills while also helping children build confidence, independence and social awareness.
As children move through outdoor environments, climbing onto play towers, crossing trim trails, navigating different heights and balancing stepping stones across varied obstacles, they develop body awareness and control. These physical experiences help master gross and fine motor control as well as locomotion and stability which according to Gallahue are key principles in a child’s phases of Psychomotor development.
In addition to supporting the physical competences of each child there is a huge degree of overlap with physical development aiding children being ready to learn, supporting early literacy by improving posture, coordination and focus, all of which contribute to handwriting readiness and sustained attention.
How Outdoor Play Builds Physical Literacy
Outdoor play and physical development are closely connected. Outdoor environments provide children with regular and usually more open ended opportunities for active movement that indoor spaces cannot always offer.
When physical activity becomes part of everyday outdoor play, whether children are climbing, balancing, hanging or traversing, they build strength, coordination and confidence through repetition and experience. This consistent exposure helps develop physical literacy over time, supporting children’s motivation and ability to move well across a range of play situations.
The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children participate in at least 60 minutes of vigorous activity each day and that Primary schools should use the PE and sport premium funding to support children to meet the 60 active minutes target.
Supporting Gross Motor Skills Through Active Outdoor Play
Gross motor skills in the Early Years develop through regular movement and physical challenge. Outdoor play supports large-scale movements and proprioception that strengthen muscles, improve coordination and develop confidence.
Running, climbing and moving across equipment such as play towers, pull over bars, monkey bars, trim trails and modular climbing blocks encourages children to use their whole bodies with purpose and are great for vestibular development. Through this kind of active play, children learn to judge risk, adapt their movements and persevere with physical challenges, supporting physical development EYFS outcomes in a natural way.
Using Outdoor Surfaces to Encourage Movement and Control
Different outdoor surfaces play an important role in supporting physical literacy. Moving between surfaces encourages children to adjust their movements, developing body control, coordination and awareness.
Artificial grass, wetpour and natural ground surfaces each offer different physical feedback. As children run, jump and play across these surfaces, they learn to pay attention to how they move, supporting body awareness and confidence through everyday outdoor learning and physical activity.
Floor-level play also supports physical development, particularly for younger children. Rolling, crawling and playing close to the ground encourage full-body movement and exploration.
Playing at Different Levels and Heights
Movement at different levels supports spatial awareness, strength and coordination. Raised areas such as climbing frames, play towers, trim trails and modular blocks allow children to explore height and movement in relation to gravity.
Climbing up, moving across or stepping between elevated features supports physical literacy while also encouraging social interaction. Children often negotiate space, take turns and support one another, combining physical development with communication and cooperation. The more open ended your climbing equipment the greater the physical, social and cognitive outcomes, children can choose their own level of ‘risk’ and explore different ways of moving between different heights and challenges. Our innovative Legends of the Forest climbing range are a perfect example of this.
Rotational Movement and Coordinated Play
Rotational movement plays an important role in developing proprioception, stability, coordination and core strength. Equipment that spins, turns or responds to movement encourages children to control their bodies while adapting to changing motion.
Features such as playground roundabouts require children to adjust their position, grip and engage their core as they enjoy experiencing movement as they play together. These shared experiences support physical literacy by helping children develop body awareness and confidence through active, coordinated movement.
Sensory elements such as rain wheels introduce an additional layer of learning. As children turn handles and watch water move, they combine physical movement with curiosity, supporting coordination through purposeful, engaging play.
Digging, Lifting and Transporting Materials
Digging, lifting and transporting materials support physical development through outdoor play by engaging the whole body. Dig pits and loose parts areas allow children to dig, scoop and move materials such as sand, soil and bark, developing strength, coordination and proprioception and are great for channelling ‘heavy work’ opportunities through the arms, shoulders and upper body.
Children often transport materials using buckets, containers or wheelbarrows, working together to carry, pour and build. These activities support physical literacy while also encouraging teamwork, communication and shared problem-solving.
Balancing Activity With Rest and Recovery
Physical literacy also involves recognising the need for rest. Outdoor environments should include spaces where children can pause, relax and recover from more active play.
Playhouses, dens, seating areas and sheltered spaces provide opportunities for quieter play and reflection. These areas support well-being and help children regulate their energy levels throughout the day.
Free-Flow Outdoor Play and Physical Literacy
Free-flow access between indoor and outdoor spaces encourages children to take ownership of their movement. Having the choice to move between environments supports independence and allows children to engage in physical activity at their own pace.
This flexibility promotes regular movement throughout the day, reinforcing physical literacy through repeated, self-directed outdoor play experiences.
Creating Outdoor Environments That Support Physical Literacy
Outdoor learning environments play a crucial role in supporting physical literacy in the Early Years. Thoughtful layout, appropriate surfacing and a range of familiar playground features allow children to explore movement in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
By providing opportunities to climb on active equipment, rotate or swing on motion pieces, dig, lift and move, Early Years settings can support physical development EYFS outcomes while encouraging a lifelong positive relationship with movement and outdoor play.
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