Nature Play passports to encourage activity for children

The Queensland Government is hoping that children will switch 'screen-time' to 'green-time' under its new Nature Play initiative.

Aiming expand health and fitness for children, Queensland Minister for Recreation and Sport Steve Dickson said Nature Play provided children with personalised ‘passports’ full of nature-based ‘missions’, to help increase the amount of time spent in unstructured outdoor play.

Minister Dickson explained “unstructured play outdoors is fundamental to a full and healthy childhood, as well as important brain, self-confidence and social skill development.”

“The program includes a passport, a website with more than 200 missions like nature scavenger hunts to complete, home diaries for school-aged children and special events Australia Zoo’s Rob Irwin helped to launch the initiative and said he was excited to be involved.

"We're so lucky to live in a country as beautiful as Australia where nature has so much to offer. You can climb a tree, swim in the ocean, ride a scooter through the park, have an adventure with your mates, go for a bush walk to explore all the amazing wildlife, and much more.

"And not only is getting active outdoors fun - it's a great way to stay fit and healthy. It's wonderful to get outside and have adventures."

The Queensland Government is providing funding of $1.5 million over the next three years to help get the Nature Play initiative off the ground.

Nature Play Queensland’s Program Manager Hyahno Moser said the organisation would connect a state-wide network of parents, educators, health care providers and communities, all passionate about creating lasting change to ensure Queensland children had the best possible future.

Moser added “the reason our kids have become disconnected from playing in nature may be complex but the solution can be as simple as getting them involved in this program.”

For more information on Nature Play visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

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