Playing outdoors is important for public health because it contributes to a healthy weight, strong bones and muscles, better mental health, and social skills in both children and adults. Regular outdoor physical activity lowers the risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, playing outdoors provides fresh air, daylight, and social interaction—three factors that have a direct positive influence on mood and well-being. In short: an active outdoor lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy.
Why is playing outdoors so important for health?
Playing outdoors is important for health because it activates the body and mind simultaneously. Exercising in the fresh air stimulates vitamin D production, strengthens the immune system, and improves concentration and sleep patterns. Moreover, for children, it is a natural way to develop motor skills, and for adults, a proven way to reduce stress.
Playing outdoors goes beyond mere physical exercise. Contact with nature, varying surfaces, and unexpected situations train balance, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Children who play outside regularly also develop stronger social skills: they learn to cooperate, negotiate, and deal with winning and losing. These are skills you don't acquire behind a screen.
How much do children and adults actually move outdoors?
The Dutch physical activity guidelines advise children up to 18 years of age to engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity daily, preferably outdoors. Adults are advised to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. In practice, a large part of the Dutch population does not meet this standard, and outdoor play accounts for only a small portion of total physical activity.
Research by the RIVM shows that the physical activity standard is systematically not being met, particularly among young people aged 12 to 18. Screen time is increasing, and the time children spend outdoors has been declining for years. This is a worrying trend, because spontaneous outdoor play is an accessible and fun way to meet the daily physical activity standard without it feeling like sport or exertion.
What are the consequences of not playing outside enough?
Insufficient outdoor play leads to a range of health problems: overweight, impaired motor development in children, increased stress levels, and a greater risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Vitamin D deficiency, which is common in the Netherlands, is also linked to insufficient time spent outdoors in daylight.
The consequences are not only individual but also societal. Children who play outside infrequently develop fewer social skills and more often experience concentration problems at school. In the long term, inactive lifestyle habits acquired at a young age contribute to higher healthcare costs and a lower quality of life in adulthood. It is therefore a public health issue that begins at the playground around the corner.
Which outdoor facilities encourage the most physical activity?
Outdoor facilities that encourage the most physical activity are those that are challenging, accessible, and suitable for multiple age groups at the same time. Think of playgrounds with climbing equipment, water features, adventure trails, and sports facilities such as asphalt pump tracks, which invite visitors of all ages to be active without barriers.
What these facilities have in common is that they are intrinsically motivating: you move not because you have to, but because it is fun. That makes a big difference. A traditional playground mainly attracts children up to about ten years old. A skate park attracts teenagers, but few preschoolers. A well-designed multi-functional sports venue attracts toddlers, teenagers, parents, and seniors all at once, making the place lively and encouraging people to return more often.
Facilities that demonstrably score well on stimulating physical activity:
- Pump tracks and skate-style tracks: accessible, challenging for all levels, suitable for bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and wheelchairs
- Adventure playgrounds with climbing and balancing elements
- Movement-friendly park designs with walking and cycling paths that invite active use
- Multisport fields that combine multiple sports in one place
Do you want to know what is possible in practice? View our completed projects for inspiration from municipalities and recreation parks throughout the Netherlands.
How can a municipality actively promote outdoor play?
A municipality can promote outdoor play by investing in accessible, challenging, and multifunctional outdoor spaces that meet the needs of different age groups. This begins with a thorough analysis of existing facilities and the question: who are we reaching now, and who are we missing?
Concrete steps that municipalities can take:
- Map the current play infrastructure and identify blind spots in age range or geographical distribution.
- Involve residents during the planning phase via participation processes or petitions, so that the need comes from the community itself.
- Choose facilities with a broad target audience reach. to use the budget as efficiently as possible.
- Ensure good accessibility from playgrounds on foot and by bicycle, so that the threshold for going there is as low as possible.
- Monitor usage and satisfaction after opening and adjust where necessary.
Municipalities that focus on physical activity-friendly outdoor spaces see not only health benefits but also a positive effect on social cohesion and livability in the neighborhood. A well-attended playground is a place where people meet, which contributes to a stronger community.
What makes an outdoor play facility suitable for all ages?
An outdoor play facility is suitable for all ages if it is challenging enough for advanced users but low-threshold enough for beginners, and if it is accessible to people with different physical abilities. The combination of safety, variation in difficulty, and space for social interaction makes the difference.
Imagine a facility where a toddler can ride their first laps on a balance bike in the same spot where a teenager practices tricks on their BMX and an adult spends an active afternoon. This calls for a well-thought-out design in which the routing, ramps, and dimensions are tailored to different user groups. Wheelchair accessibility is not an extra, but a basic requirement.
Key features of an all-ages facility:
- Variety in challenge: from simple elements for beginners to technical sections for advanced players
- Wide accessibility: suitable for bicycles, scooters, skateboards, inline skates and wheelchairs
- Safe surface which complies with applicable standards such as NEN-EN 14974
- Social space: seating for parents and spectators, so that the place is also attractive to non-active visitors
- Sustainable use of materials with a long lifespan and low maintenance costs
How Velosolutions helps encourage outdoor play
At Velosolutions, we design and build asphalt pump tracks that precisely meet the characteristics listed above. From toddlers on balance bikes to adults on BMX bikes: our pump tracks are designed for everyone, in any location, and for every budget. We provide a complete package, from initial consultation and design to certification and annual maintenance.
What we offer:
- Custom-made pump tracks that fit within the available space and the budget of the municipality or the recreation park
- Fully certified according to WAS legislation and NEN-EN 14974, including a 5-year warranty
- Lifespan of 8 to 12 years with low maintenance costs
- Broad target audience reach: Suitable for all ages and all wheels, including wheelchair users.
- More than 100 pump tracks realized in the Netherlands, with 12 years of experience as a market leader
Read more about us and discover how we help municipalities and recreation parks to structurally promote outdoor play. Do you want to know what a pump track can mean for your municipality or park? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
