Outdoor Play

The Movement Creative runs outdoor programming for children and adults 12 months a year in all kinds of weather. It is part of the parkour ethos to accept the weather as it comes, to embrace it, and to work with it to improve our skill at moving through urban terrain whether it’s soggy, sloshy, snowy, hot or cold, sunny or dark. We believe that coming together to move creatively no matter what not only makes us better traceurs, but more resilient, and possibly happier, humans.

The Movement Creative values outdoor play in all kinds of weather in the same spirit as the European forest schools, an educational philosophy that can now be readily found in the U.S. and even here in NYC. “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes” is the Norwegian adage that we try to abide by. Having the proper gear and knowing how to layer effectively is crucial to increasing comfort and, in turn, the fun one can have outdoors when it’s cold, rainy, snowy, or a combination of all three. 

Here is an excerpt from Arctic Outdoor Preschool, a documentary film from 2008 that tells the story and philosophy of the Tusseladden Outdoor Kindergarten located in a coastal town in Norway. Their Outdoor Team Leader, Heidi Buvang shares, “It’s important to give children the desire to be outside and motivate them to be creative outdoors.” A child in her care becomes overwhelmed on a steep hike on a blustery day and while Heidi’s words of encouragement may sound a bit gruff, they remind us that we should not rob children of the opportunity to face the challenge of discomfort, to learn that they themselves have the strength to see things through, to adapt and make their own way.

As Parkour Adventure kids head into December and shorter days, their classes finish well after the sun has set. Playing after dark outdoors is a thrilling adventure that is not so typical these days. We talk about the time change with children so they know what to expect. We make the change in seasons, temperature, and light extra fun with glow sticks, hot cocoa, and the camaraderie that only comes through sharing a unique experience.

There are a ton of articles and research studies about the decline of outdoor play and the increased time children are spending on devices and the negative impact these have on children’s health, development, and happiness. Here is a terrific one published by the National Recreation and Park Association. 

“Outdoor play allows children to assess risks and develop resilience. They learn to navigate uneven terrain, climb structures and test their physical limits. Moreover, minor falls or scrapes in a park environment provide opportunities for children to learn how to cope with setbacks and build resilience.”

The Movement Creative strongly agrees with the above statement. Our students will also learn the wonderful art of parkour, the hundreds of physical games that we know, how to make a new friend, and how to play both competitively and collaboratively. 

For more information on dressing for the weather, please visit our Cold Weather Guide. For advice on gear, please reach out to your child’s coach. Movement Creative is listed as an official outdoor school on The Outdoor School Shop’s website. They have terrific information regarding outdoor, weatherproof play in addition to their high-quality gear. Their sales are frequent and they have a trade-in program.

- Cristina Latici