2025 Position statement on active outdoor play
Eun-Young Lee, Louise de Lannoy, Yeong-Bae Kim, Apoorva Rathod, Maeghan E. James, Olívia Pereira Lopes, Brianna Nasrallah, Anujah Thankarajah, Dina Adjei-Boadi, Maria Isabel Amando de Barros, Scott Duncan, Robyn Monro Miller, Lærke Mygind, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Po-Yu Wang, Mark S. Tremblay, Alethea Jerbine, Alison Amero, Arlene M. McGarty, Ashley McCurdy, Avril Johnstone, Carla Gull, Christine Alden, C.C. Harris, Colleen A. Kiselyk, Dané Coetzee, David Chorney, Diego Augusto Santos Silva, Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter, Erica Phipps, Erin Wentzell, Franz Plangger, Frederico Lopes, Gemma Goldenberg, Helen F. Dodd, Hyunshik Kim, Jane Cawley, Janet Omstead, Jasper Schipperijn, Javier Brazo‐Sayavera, Justin J. Lang, Justin Y. Jeon, Kamil Maciaszek, Kelly P. Arbour‐Nicitopoulos, Kimberly Squires, Κωνσταντίνα Ρέντζου, Kyoung June Yi, Lauren McNamara, Lauren Turner, Lisa M. Barnett, Lucy-Joy Wachira, Mairi Ferris, Mallory J. Donaldson, Mariana Brussoni, Marjaana Kangas, Mark Leather, Maxwell Hartt, Megan Zeni, Michael Down, Michelle Stone, Narayan Subedi, Nevin J. Harper, Nicola Kemp, Peter Bakalár, Peter Bentsen, Rachel A. Jones, Rachel Franz, Rachel Ramsden, Rebecca Forte, Richard Larouche, Rita Cordovil, R.E. Wallis, Ryan Fahey, Salomé Aubert, Seiyeong Park, Shawnda A. Morrison, Sitong Chen, Son Truong, Søren Præstholm, Steph N. Dean, Stéphanie A. Prince, Steven Lâm, Suryeon Ryu, Susan Paudel, S. Levenson, Tanya Halsall, Taru Manyanga, Tim Gill, Trish Tucker, Ulises Charles-Rodriguez, Valerie Carson
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play was released in Canada, emphasizing the critical role of active outdoor play-with its risks-in fostering children's healthy development. Building on this foundation, a 10-year update of the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (AOP10) was initiated to broaden its scope and impact, by encompassing all age groups and extending its reach conceptually and globally. Here we explain and present the new 2025 Position Statement. METHODS: Development of the 2025 Position Statement was informed by 18 rigorous literature reviews, a series of leadership group meetings, three rounds of draft AOP10 surveys, followed by extensive communication, translation, production, and dissemination activities. RESULTS: The 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play states: "Active outdoor play promotes holistic health and well-being for people of all ages, communities, and environments, and for our entire planet. It is critical given the multiple global challenges we face today (e.g., social and health inequities, climate change and digital addiction). Together, as a collective of the outdoor play sector, we recommend increasing opportunities for active outdoor play in all settings where people live, learn, work, and play. To achieve this, it is important to collaborate across sectors, settings, and societies to preserve, promote, and value equitable access to active play outdoors and in nature." We also provide key evidence pertaining to the nine core themes that informed the development of the 2025 Position Statement and offer recommendations across sectors, calling for multi-sectoral, multi-level collaborations. Across all three survey rounds, responses indicated strong support for the 2025 Position Statement and its supporting content (Round 3: 93-98%). Comprehensive, proactive knowledge translation and dissemination plans were executed to maximize the reach and impact of the 2025 Position Statement. CONCLUSIONS: The 2025 Position Statement calls for systemic changes that prioritize equitable access to active outdoor play opportunities and aims to create healthier communities. Achieved through international collaboration and consensus, the 2025 Position Statement aspires to connect, advise, inspire, and activate active outdoor play worldwide.