Kids today only spend half as much time playing outside as we did. It can be a hassle to get them bundled up and to the playground on a drizzly spring afternoon– or to clean half the floors in your house after a trip to your own snowy backyard. But there are many skills that kids gain both from self-directed and “purposeful play,” and experts say that's particularly true when that play happens outdoors.

Our guest Meghan Fitzgerald is the co-founder of Tinkergarten, which offers purposeful play opportunities for children and families that gets them away from screens and outdoors together in nature. Meghan tells us her favorite get-them-outside activities, and why even the coldest or rainiest days offer rewards that really are worth bundling everyone up. 

Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/parenting/kids-winter-play-outside.html

https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/parenting/viking-parenting-childhood-risk-fresh-air-mental-health/?fbclid=IwAR2sM-84dC7xYVEmyMLjKG7ijFQCm2QiIQOr1AZoPJpDTfFZm-mXVeRG2No

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880

And our episode "Danger Babies": https://www.toddlerpurgatory.com/danger-babies-why-are-some-kids-such-risk-takers/

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