A new study on the American preschooler and the outdoors has a few interesting findings. Alongside its conclusion that most preschoolers get insufficient active outdoors playtime (which is, by now, pretty well documented), it suggests that stay at home parents are generally worse than preschools at getting kids outside, that parents who exercise themselves are more likely to exercise with their kids, and that girls play outside much less than boys. This last one is the one I find most disturbing. This early lack of outdoors play seems to set bad foundations for female health. Not having girls, and being an outdoorsy kind of girl myself, I can’t really guess at the reasons why toddler girls are not going outside. Is it a natural difference, parental expectations or societal pressure? Mothers of girls…?
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The Outdoors Parent 
I have to say that my daughter, given a free choice, would spend every afternoon in the children’s library reading books about ballet with me. I know. At least she does enjoy being outside as well, but she wouldn’t want to do it all day.
So, these are sweeping generalisations, because there are plenty of outdoorsy, messy girls. But, on the whole, I think girls:
– enjoy outdoors messy play (mud / water) less than boys
– are not as physically active, so get tired more easily and also don’t need the physical release as much.
– enjoy quiet, detail-oriented activities like art and reading more than boys
However, I think they enjoy animals (including bugs) just as much, and once you get them outside, love running along a path just as much. And there may be outdoors activities that may appeal to them even more, such as collecting leaves or stones for a craft project.
Any thoughts?