Why Autumn Is the Best Season for Outdoor Play (and Swing Set Fun!)

Autumn is here, and we should all take more advantage of this beautiful season. Autumn outdoor play offers numerous benefits, and we need to look past the rough weather to appreciate the beautiful days even more. If the leaves with all their colours and the muddy puddles are not enough motivation to head out to explore, then some outdoor play equipment could do the trick!

The Magic of Autumn Playtime

We’ve just had a long, warm summer, and as much as we may miss the warmer weather, summers also come with added worries of sunburns, heat stroke, and wasp stings. Just be prepared when Autumn arrives, have appropriate clothing for them to play outdoors. Using the layer method will be beneficial, as the temperature will fluctuate significantly, not only from day to day but also throughout the day. Wearing a base layer, a fleece, and a shelter jacket that protects from rain and wind while still allowing their bodies to breathe will make them more comfortable. We need to remember that children move a lot when playing outdoors and therefore will feel significantly warmer than we do. Being able to remove a layer, if necessary, easily, will be really beneficial.

So as long as they are dressed comfortably, they will happily spend more time outside, and you’ll find that you can come up with entirely new outdoor play ideas for fall compared to what they usually get up to in the summer.

Beautiful Fall Scenery That Inspires Outdoor Fun

Autumn leaves are a huge hit with children, and they can be incredibly creative, combining different colours in numerous ways. Collect leaves and create a beautiful wreath to hang on your door. Alternatively, if they have a mud kitchen, they can crush the leaves and use them as colourful pretend food. Or why not pick leaves and tape them onto a cut-out cardboard, then place it in a window where the sun hits it?

If you are lucky enough to have access to apple trees, you can collect apples together, slice them up, dip them in sugar and cinnamon and BBQ on a stick. Let’s not forget how much kids love to help with adult chores such as raking leaves and jumping in the big piles. Finish with some hot chocolate and cream while watching the sunset through the trees.

Benefits of Outdoor Play in Autumn

Numerous studies indicate the importance of physical activity in maintaining mental well-being. If your kids can be outside and run, jump and swing on wooden swing sets for kids, you’ll see the difference in them at the end of the day compared to if they are stuck inside in front of a screen all day.

Mental Well-being – Nature, Sunshine, and Fresh Air

Unfortunately, we don’t get enough vitamin D from the sun during the winter because there are fewer hours of sunlight at that time. Additionally, we also don’t make the most of the sun while it’s up, as we tend to spend more time indoors. Low levels of vitamin D are detrimental to children because they affect growth and bone development, while a sufficient level of vitamin D also supports immune regulation to fight infections. How many parents are cursing over all the coughs and colds children get through Autumn and winter time? If this is something your family is struggling with, start by trying to spend more time outside.

If it's cold, wrap up. If you want to see them play more independently and grow through learning, consider getting a garden swing set with a climbing wall. Watch your children develop social skills through outdoor games played while swinging and pretending to be on a pirate ship together, and taking turns on the favourite swing accessory.

Who has not had a toddler laughing and giggling every time you tickle their toes while swinging, not wanting you to stop pushing? Imagine the benefits to their development and growth, in addition to the feeling of bonding with you as they put their trust in you while rushing through the air. All while just spending some happy time together outdoors.

Swing Sets: Autumn’s Best Outdoor Toy

A wooden swing set is a significantly underestimated, yet durable, outdoor play equipment in the UK, as many might see it as something more suitable for summer. However, a slide, for example, will be extra fun to go down through the rain in their waterproofs, making it extra fast for the braver children. You don’t even need a massive garden; a normal single swing will be more than enough, especially if you’re making use of the easy exchange between different accessories, such as a trapeze bar or a climbing rope, to mix things up. Titan Toys has a very popular set, which is an ideal swing set for a small garden: the 3-in-1.

Swinging for Strength, Balance, and Coordination – Benefits of Wooden Swing Sets

Slides and swings are outdoor fun that will come with the added benefits of increased balance, coordination and strength. Children learning how to swing independently will feel a strong sense of accomplishment as they grow more independent, and will be able to use the wooden swing set for kids in their own way.

Furthermore, the benefits of climbing frames for kids are even greater, as they require the use of their whole body while climbing. Becoming braver with each climbing rock, and you don’t want to miss the look on their faces as they reach the top for the first time on their own.

Apart from the extra level of adventure it offers, problem-solving is another benefit that kids develop as they plan their movements carefully while testing different grips on each stone. 

We also love how kids learns how to assess risk through wall climbing. This is something parents today need to improve at, allowing kids to do things on their own. If parents are always around to set limits for them, they will never learn how to grow independently.

If you’re stuck for ideas as to how to use your outdoor wooden climbing frame for Autumn play, you’ll be surprised at how much they enjoy just climbing up and down while being timed! While obviously maintaining their risk assessment skills!

If your child likes a climbing challenge but also loves a slide, Titan Toys offers stand-alone outdoor slides for children that feature a climbing wall instead of a ladder to get up. But you might be wondering why slides are perfect for outdoor fun. Slides get faster in the rain, and kids love shovelling leaves on it to plough away with their wellies as they go down.

Tips for Parents to Encourage Autumn Outdoor Play

If you want to encourage your children to play outside more, you’ll first need to ensure they are comfortable. We discussed dressing kids for outdoor comfort in Autumn time, but it is equally important that they are well-fed or that you have fantastic, tasty treats at hand. Please don’t give them a reason to want to head inside by making it too much fun and exciting outside.

Safe Outdoor Play Guidelines in Cooler Weather

You should also cover some autumn outdoor play safety tips with your children, as certain aspects of this season set it apart from summer.

When it gets darker, consider adding some warm fairy lights to bring extra magic to the play, while also ensuring they stay safe and are used in well-lit areas. 

Although the leaves can add to the fun, they can also be a hazard depending on their location. Check climbing stones on climbing walls for leaves, as they could cause the child to slip and fall. Also, be sure to inspect the swing and climb set to ensure there are no loose screws or slippery spots.

Making Outdoor Play Part of the Autumn Routine

If you have the time, try incorporating some outdoor play as part of your daily routine through Autumn. When you get home from school pick-up, try to spend a little time outside playing, allowing your child to wind down from their school day. You could also create a safe space for venting or enthusiastically chatting about all the fun they’ve had. Give them your undivided time to listen while having fun together. 

Why Autumn Outdoor Play Supports Kids’ Development

Playing outdoors, away from screens, their creativity will flow, and they will create their own storylines using outdoor equipment. Spending quality time outdoors with family can boost everyone's mental health and well-being. It will also prepare kids for winter by teaching them healthy outdoor habits, such as dressing appropriately and being a little more cautious around slippery surfaces.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Autumn Outdoor Play

This time of the year is generally when everyone's mood drops slightly after a long, light and sunny summer. Therefore, this is when we should make a greater effort to take advantage of the sunlight we can. Natural wooden swing sets with climbing walls or slides are a fantastic way for families to bond outdoors, while benefiting from the fresh air and vitamin D. Garden Swing sets are not just for summer; they're an all-year-round adventure for kids, but make sure you’re all dressed and prepared for everything that Autumn brings.