Go Play Outside!

Children experience the world through play. Let them experience the world.

Our LabOur Research

About Us

The Outside Play Lab is a team of researchers dedicated to studying children’s outdoor risky play and injury prevention. Our lab is led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni, and is based at the University of British Columbia and the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Our research looks at the effect of outdoor play on children, the influence of adults (parents, caregivers, educators, and others) on children’s play opportunities, and the design of outdoor environments (play spaces, neighbourhoods) to support outdoor play, as well as the enablers and policies to promote outdoor play.

Resources

Podcast

Jul 2026

The Evan Bray Show - Rawlco Radio Ltd.

Do Kids Need More Freedom?

Dr. Mariana Brussoni speaks with Brent on The Evan Bray Show about how much freedom children should be given, and what children may lose when they are not able to take risks.

Podcast

Jul 2026

The Evan Bray Show - Rawlco Radio Ltd.

Do Kids Need More Freedom?

Dr. Mariana Brussoni speaks with Brent on The Evan Bray Show about how much freedom children should be given, and what children may lose when they are not able to take risks.

Podcast

Jul 2026

CBC Today - Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer

Toy Story 5: How the toys vs screens battle is playing out at home

Dr. Mariana Brussoni joins CBC's Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer for a conversation about children's play and the toys-versus-screens debate at home, alongside screens researcher and neuroscientist Emma Duerden.

Podcast

Jul 2026

CBC Today - Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer

Toy Story 5: How the toys vs screens battle is playing out at home

Dr. Mariana Brussoni joins CBC's Ontario Today with Amanda Pfeffer for a conversation about children's play and the toys-versus-screens debate at home, alongside screens researcher and neuroscientist Emma Duerden.

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Toutes les Conditions Meteo | Prepare for All Weather [FR]

Toutes les Conditions Meteo | Prepare for All Weather [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Toutes les Conditions Meteo | Prepare for All Weather [FR]

Toutes les Conditions Meteo | Prepare for All Weather [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Pret-a-Emporter | Grab and Go [FR]

Pret-a-Emporter | Grab and Go [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Pret-a-Emporter | Grab and Go [FR]

Pret-a-Emporter | Grab and Go [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Liberte | Outdoor Play - Freedom [FR]

Liberte | Outdoor Play - Freedom [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Outside Play Lab - Translation by K. Lambert

Liberte | Outdoor Play - Freedom [FR]

Liberte | Outdoor Play - Freedom [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Tenue Adequate Pour la Meteo | Appropriate Weather Gear [FR]

Tenue Adequate Pour la Meteo | Appropriate Weather Gear [FR]

Infographic [FR]

Jun 2026

Tenue Adequate Pour la Meteo | Appropriate Weather Gear [FR]

Tenue Adequate Pour la Meteo | Appropriate Weather Gear [FR]

Explore All Resources

Outdoor play is a basic childhood need and taking risks is a necessary part of play. Whether jumping in a pile of leaves, climbing a tree, or playing street hockey, children are often happiest when playing. These kinds of experiences are a lot less common for kids today.

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Contact Us

playoutside@bcchr.ca | 604-875-2433 | Vancouver, BC

We gratefully acknowledge that our places of work lie on the ancestral unceded territories of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

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