Young, Wild, and Free

Unlike structured physical activities, such as a game of soccer, there are no goals (pun intended).

“Unstructured play happens when children follow their instincts, ideas, and interests without an imposed outcome,” explains the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA). According to the CPHA, benefits for kids include

• improved physical health
• stronger motor skills
• enhanced social skills, including empathy and emotional intelligence
• increased self-esteem and a reduced risk of depression, anxiety, and stress
• better school performance, including classroom behaviour and learning

“Access to active play in nature ... is essential for healthy child development,” reports a position statement released by 14 Canadian organizations. “We recommend increasing children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings—at home, at school, in childcare, the community, and nature.”

How it works

It’s these benefits that encouraged Marie-Andree Racine, a mother in Squamish, BC, to launch The Little Explorers. More than 400 families joined in the first few months.

Together, they bike, camp, hike, and more. There’s an underlying purpose—to explore and answer the call of the wild—but Racine notes one important principle.

“We always let the kids lead,” she explains. Five minutes into a recent hike, the children found a puddle they wanted to splash in for the rest of the afternoon. “We never set a goal, we just say, ‘start here’ and see where we’re going to end up.”

Risky business

The thought of my toddler chasing his imagination through the forest sounds a little hazardous, yet that’s all part of it. “We don’t allow anything too dangerous, but little bruises and scratches are good,” says Racine. “Kids need to do, in order to learn. We let them run free and challenge them.”

If you’re nervous to give it a go …

Change your mindset. Researchers suggest thinking in terms of “as safe as necessary” instead of “as safe as possible.”

Offer suggestions, not rules. “Maybe put your foot there,” you could suggest if they’re climbing a rock. “Whoa, have you seen what’s under that log?” you might ask on a hike.

Pause ... Instead of rushing to save them from a situation, see what happens. “Trust your kids,” suggests Racine. “If they want to climb the tree, let them. You can go behind them to spot them, and you’ll see what they’re actually capable of. They’ll often surprise us. Kids can do so much more than we think they can do.”