Scoping review of adult-oriented outdoor play publications in Canada

Abstract

Introduction Since 2015, there has been growing interest in Canada and beyond on the benefits of outdoor play for physical, emotional, social and environmental health, wellbeing and development, for adults as well as children and youth. Methods This scoping review aims to answer the question, “How, and in what context, is adult-oriented outdoor play being studied in Canada?” We conducted an electronic search for peer-reviewed articles on outdoor play published in English or French after September 2015 by authors from Canadian institutions or about Canadian adults. The 224 retrieved articles were organized according to eight priorities: health, well-being and development; outdoor play environments; safety and outdoor play; cross-sectoral connections; equity, diversity and inclusion; professional development; Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play; and COVID-19. We tallied the study designs and measurement methods used. Results The most common priority was outdoor play environments; the least common were COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples and land-based outdoor play. Cross-sectional studies were the most common; no rapid reviews were identified. Sample sizes varied from one auto-ethnographic reflection to 147 000 zoo visitor datapoints. More studies used subjective than objective measurement methods. Environmental health was the most common outcome and mental/emotional development was the least. Conclusion There has been a staggering amount of articles published on adult-oriented outdoor play in Canada since 2015. Knowledge gaps remain in the relationship between outdoor play and adult mental/emotional development; the connections between environmental health and Indigenous cultures and traditions; and how to balance promoting outdoor unstructured play with protecting and preserving natural spaces.

Exploring the world of active play: A comprehensive review of global surveillance and monitoring of active play based on the global matrix data

“… 6 Following its release, research focused on active play showed a tenfold increase. 9 , 10 Moreover, the document played an important role in influencing a legal decision by the BC Supreme Court regarding a playground injury case—an opportunistic lawsuit that unfairly criticized outdoor play. 11…”

“…Despite the growing interest in active play in public health research, 9 , 10 a globally harmonized measurement tool with established validity and reliability is currently unavailable. This gap may be due to the sporadic and spontaneous nature of active play, 12 as well as cultural and geographical variations influencing its perception and practice.…”