1 In 10 Kids Rarely Venture Outside To Play, Poll Finds

Key Takeaways

About 1 in 10 preschoolers and toddlers go outside to play once a week or less

Parents say they feel nervous when their kids stray too far or climb too high

However, such activities are opportunities for growth

MONDAY, Oct. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Some young children are virtual shut-ins, rarely leaving their homes to play, a new poll shows.

About 1 in 10 preschoolers and toddlers go outside to play once a week or less, according to results from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

Playing outside has been shown to improve children’s mental and physical health, and it also contributes to good eye health, researchers said.

Parental anxiety might be one barrier, with 4 in 10 parents polled admitting they