Why End the Day with Play? Improve Eye Health with Time Outdoors

Myopia, also known as short‑sightedness, is becoming increasingly common in Australian children. This increase is attributed to recent lifestyle changes, including children spending less time outdoors and more time looking closely at computer screens, phones and iPads. 

Time Outdoors Supports Eye Health

Research consistently shows that children who spend less time outdoors have a higher risk of developing myopia. The good news is that increasing outdoor time can help slow, or even prevent, its onset as sunlight helps to regulate eye growth and outdoor activities encourage distance viewing.

While around two hours outdoors each day is ideal for children’s eye health, many children already spend time outside at school. Adding just 15 extra minutes of outdoor play at home is a good step in the right direction.  

End the Day With Play

Nature Play WA has partnered with the Lion’s Eye Institute to encourage families to consider simple ways to include regular, short bursts of outdoor time within their daily routine.

Making time for play in the late afternoon means children can benefit from natural daylight while UV levels are lower. Alternatively, adding 15 minutes of outdoor time to the early evening routine can help family members to reconnect as they physically and mentally wind down their day.

9 Ideas for Adding More Outdoor Time to Your Family Routine

Outdoor time doesn’t have to be a big adventure, small changes to your family routine can make a big difference. Here are some suggestions for simple ways to increase the time children are active outdoors;

• Walk, ride or scoot to and from school. 

• Hang back after the school bell and allow time for outdoor play. 

• Play at a local park before or after school. 

• Eat breakfast or an afternoon snack outside. 

• Have a picnic in the park or under a shady verandah. 

• Read, draw or complete homework outdoors. 
• Walk the dog together as a family. 

• Take indoor games (blocks, cars, dolls, board games) outside. 

• Choose outdoor activities on weekends. 

It’s worth noting that to achieve benefits to eye health, outdoor time doesn’t need to be in direct sunlight. Time spent outside under trees, on a verandah or in other shaded outdoor spaces still provides benefits to eye health, and we encourage families to follow SunSmart advice. 

Additionally, include time for play outdoors in all seasons – don’t let the cooler weather deter you!

For more ideas for outdoor play, check out our resources below (click on an image below to be take to the related article);

Or check out our free resource library for even more fun, interactive nature play activities for families;