Guiding environmental dimensions for outdoor play

Children´s outdoor play is vital for a sustainable development. Studies show that children with access to spacious and varied green outdoor settings by their preschool have better physical and mental health. This article describes the application and development of environmental assessment for children´s play areas (Outdoor Play Environment Categories), based on field observations of children´s play in preschools. Discussed are the possibilities to develop tools for environmental assessment which are rapid, precise, transparent and useful, both for research and practice.