Outdoor play in Europe: terminology and state of research, practice, and policy

Outdoor play (OP) is strongly associated with human health, development, and wellbeing, yet modern lifestyles and changing environments increasingly restrict opportunities for OP. The state of OP in Europe is not well understood, as there is limited alignment among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in defining, researching, or promoting opportunities for OP within communities and across Europe more broadly. This study aims to offer a comprehensive assessment of the European OP system by mapping its core elements-terminology, research, practice, and policy. This mixed-methods study collected data through expert-elicitation from countries across Europe, with particular focus on traditionally underrepresented regions. Although there has recently been more emphasis on the health benefits of OP, conceptual and ontological differences relating to OP continue to challenge any consistent harmonization or cross-country comparison processes. Based on these observations, we formulate actions to strengthen the OP system across Europe, including enhancing monitoring, promoting supportive policy, and leveraging international, cross-disciplinary forums. Coordinated researcher and practitioner networks can identify priorities, support mission-driven projects, and inform Europe-level policies to expand OP opportunities and drive positive, resilient continental health outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
European Journal of Public Health
Published
2026-03-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag040
Primary Topic
Outdoor and Experiential Education
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Outdoor play in Europe: terminology and state of research, practice, and policy

Gillian Cante, Thomas Morgenthaler, Peter Bakalár, Helen Frances Dodd et al.
European Journal of Public Health
Outdoor and Experiential Education
article

Outdoor play in Europe: terminology and state of research, practice, and policy

Gillian Cante, Thomas Morgenthaler, Peter Bakalár, Helen Frances Dodd, Getter Marie Lemberg, Avril Johnstone, Mark Leather, Marjaana Kangas, Silvia Veiga-Seijo, Evelin Mäestu, Juel Jarani, Artan R. Kryeziu, Shawnda A. Morrison, Manon Bloemen, Lærke Mygind, Peter Bentsen, Sanja Šalaj, Stevo Popović, Marie Bradwell, Mads Bølling, Michelle Bergin, Marianne Mannello, Kamil Maciaszek, Javier Brazo-Sayavera, Nika Bezjak, Konstantina Rentzou, Tamás Csányi, Signe Siklander, Ellen Beate Sandseter, Marie Löf, Benjamin Billet, Christine Delisle Nyström
article en

Abstract

Outdoor play (OP) is strongly associated with human health, development, and wellbeing, yet modern lifestyles and changing environments increasingly restrict opportunities for OP. The state of OP in Europe is not well understood, as there is limited alignment among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in defining, researching, or promoting opportunities for OP within communities and across Europe more broadly. This study aims to offer a comprehensive assessment of the European OP system by mapping its core elements-terminology, research, practice, and policy. This mixed-methods study collected data through expert-elicitation from countries across Europe, with particular focus on traditionally underrepresented regions. Although there has recently been more emphasis on the health benefits of OP, conceptual and ontological differences relating to OP continue to challenge any consistent harmonization or cross-country comparison processes. Based on these observations, we formulate actions to strengthen the OP system across Europe, including enhancing monitoring, promoting supportive policy, and leveraging international, cross-disciplinary forums. Coordinated researcher and practitioner networks can identify priorities, support mission-driven projects, and inform Europe-level policies to expand OP opportunities and drive positive, resilient continental health outcomes.

European Journal of Public HealthVol. 36(2)
Eötvös Loránd University (HU), Universidade da Coruña (ES), University of Ljubljana (SI), National University of Singapore (SG), University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (NL), University of Prešov (SK), Copenhagen Business School (DK), University of Zagreb (HR), Queen Margaret University (GB), University of Ioannina (GR), University of Exeter (GB), University College Cork (IE), Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (IN), Frederiksberg Hospital (DK), University for Business and Technology (XK), University Clinical Center of Kosovo (XK), Rochester Institute of Technology Kosovo (XK), Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (SE), Sport Wales (GB), MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (GB), Hungarian University of Sports Science (HU), Western Laboratories (United States) (US), Plymouth Marjon University (GB), Science Club (US), Queen Maud University College (NO), Gdansk Water Foundation (PL), University of Tartu (EE), University of Montenegro (ME), University of Tirana (AL), Université de Strasbourg (FR), VIA University College (DK), Palacký University Olomouc (CZ), Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HU), Universidad Pablo de Olavide (ES), University of Lapland (FI), University of Oulu (FI)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Outdoor and Experiential Education
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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