Summer Outdoor Play Helps Build Kids’ Brains

Heather Cooper · Healthy Tides · July 27, 2026

Featuring Dr. Pooja Tandon, Center researcher and advisor

Many adults have fond memories of summer days and evenings spent outside, playing games in their neighborhood and having adventures. Beyond being a great way for kids to make core memories, outdoor play has obvious benefits, including getting fresh air, spending time away from screens, increasing blood flow, improving sleep and strengthening muscles and bones.

Important brain-building skills develop through outdoor play too, including problem-solving, creativity, assessing risks and managing fears. This helps your child build resilience and increase executive functioning, contributing to mental wellness.

Dr. Pooja Tandon, pediatrician and co-lead of the Move and Thrive Lab, studies how outdoor play and physical activity impact child health and development. Healthy Tides asked Dr. Tandon to share tips to help parents and caregivers increase outdoor play time for their child.