Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play

08/10/2026

As outdoor and land-based early childhood education continues to grow across Canada, there is an increasing need for clear, evidence-informed approaches to quality practice. 🌿

That's why we're excited to share a new resource developed by the Quality Subcommittee of the National Panel on Regulating Outdoor and Land-based Early Childhood Education—a Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play initiative bringing together leaders from across the country.

This resource supports ongoing conversations about what high-quality outdoor and Land-based early learning looks like and how we can create environments where children, educators, and communities thrive.

By working together, we're helping build a stronger foundation for the future of outdoor and Land-based early childhood education in Canada.

Explore the resource and learn more about the National Panel here: ⬇️

EN: https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/national-outdoor-ece-panel/

FR: https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/fr/national-outdoor-ece-panel/

___

This National Panel aims to advance efforts towards changing ECE licensing regulations across provinces in Canada.

07/24/2026

Creating meaningful outdoor experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers requires more than simply taking learning outside—it requires intentional, inclusive approaches that ensure every child can participate, explore, play and thrive.

Join our friends at The Outdoor Learning School & Store for Inclusive Outdoor Learning for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, an online learning opportunity designed to help educators and practitioners create welcoming, engaging outdoor environments for young children.

Sessions will highlight the following:
• Outdoor learning supports cognitive development through exploration, inquiry, and problem-solving ✅
• Nature-rich experiences help build communication, collaboration, and social-emotional skills ✅
• Inclusive outdoor environments create more opportunities for engagement, participation, and belonging ✅
• Early experiences outdoors foster curiosity, confidence, resilience, and a love of learning ✅

By creating inclusive outdoor learning environments, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

👉 Learn more and register for these online learning opportunities here: https://outdoorlearning.com/event/inclusive-outdoor-learning-for-infants-toddlers-and-preschoolers/

__

07/07/2026

Our recent open house event in June was a great success! What an incredible day celebrating two years of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play! 🌿🎉

We were thrilled to welcome nearly 400 visitors throughout the day to explore, connect, and experience the power of outdoor play firsthand.

From thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor play provocations created by the educators at Forest Explorers, to campfire conversations at the AFCS Ottawa Forest and Nature School, visitors had countless opportunities to engage with nature-based learning in action.

A special highlight was seeing the thriving garden planted by Hope, the CCOP's BELCD student, alongside the children at Forest Explorers—a wonderful example of how outdoor learning helps children develop a sense of stewardship, responsibility, and connection to the natural world. 🌱

Throughout the day, many visitors stopped by the CCOP booths to learn more about our work, ask questions, and share their enthusiasm for creating healthier childhoods through outdoor play.

We were also grateful to be joined by representatives from Andrew Fleck Children's Services, Algonquin College, CHEO Research Institute, the University of Ottawa, and , whose partnership and support help strengthen the growing movement for outdoor play and outdoor learning across Canada. We even shared some materials from our friends at the Outdoor Learning School & Store!

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make this celebration such a success. The excitement, curiosity, and passion we witnessed throughout the day are a powerful reminder that the future of outdoor play is bright. 💜

___

06/23/2026

This was an exciting year for the CCOP! Some highlights over the last year include:

➡️ Our Sprout-ABLE project and Research
➡️ Outdoor Gear Library
➡️ PLaTO certificate program
➡️ Continued Community of Practice
➡️ CCOP National ECE Panel
..and so much more!

To see all our insights, check out pages 8-11 in our 2025 OPC Annual Report here:

https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/portfolio_page/outdoor-play-canada-annual-report/

___

06/05/2026

Meet the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play (CCOP) Champions who are helping to shape healthier childhoods by creating meaningful opportunities for children to play, learn, explore, and connect outdoors.

Why our Champions are important:
➡️ Outdoor play champions help turn evidence into action in everyday settings
➡️ They create environments that support children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being
➡️ They foster deeper connections between children, communities, and the natural world
➡️ They inspire others—building a growing national movement advancing outdoor play and learning across Canada

Recognizing champions isn’t just about celebrating individual leadership. It’s about strengthening a community of practice, sharing innovation, and accelerating change for future generations. The CCOP Champions Program was created to build exactly that: a national network of educators and leaders advancing active engagement, holistic development, and meaningful connections through outdoor play.

Congratulations to this year’s Champions—and thank you for helping move the outdoor play movement forward. 💜

To view our full list of Champions, click here: ⬇

https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/ccop-champions/

06/03/2026

Reminder: there’s still time to join us in celebrating three years of outdoor learning, exploration, and community. 🎉

The Forest Explorers and Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play Open House is coming up—and it’s an opportunity to experience firsthand how outdoor play and nature-based learning help children grow, connect, and thrive.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, community partner, or simply passionate about healthy childhoods, we’d love to welcome you. Come tour the space, meet the community, and celebrate the impact of three incredible years.

📅 June 6, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 415 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON

Join us at Forest Explorers, home of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play, and see what’s possible when children are given the freedom to learn and play outdoors. 🌿

Register or learn more here:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-canadian-centre-for-outdoor-play-ccop-open-house-tickets-1988641116111

05/28/2026

On April 30th, educators from across Ottawa gathered at Forest Explorers for an in-person community of practice. Educators enjoyed an evening of connection, reflection, delicious food, and the warmth of a bonfire. The CCOP and SPROUT-able teams shared several exciting project updates, including the CCOP Champions Program.

The evening sparked rich conversations about successes in outdoor play throughout the year, with many educators sharing stories, moments of challenge, and shifts in thinking. These conversations highlighted the many meaningful efforts taking place across our communities to further children's access and opportunity for quality outdoor play experiences.

We would love to see you at our next gathering. Stay tuned for updates! 🤳

05/18/2026

Two years of curiosity, connection, and outdoor adventure is worth celebrating. 🎉

Join us as we celebrate the 2-year anniversary of Forest Explorers — a licensed program of Andrew Fleck Children’s Services and home of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play.

Come explore the space, connect with the community, and experience the power of outdoor play firsthand. Whether you’re a family, educator, partner, or simply curious about nature-based learning, we’d love to see you there.

📍 415 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON
📅 June 6, 2026
⏰ Open House: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

We can't wait to celebrate two years of helping children learn, play, explore, and thrive outdoors. 🌿

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-canadian-centre-for-outdoor-play-ccop-open-house-tickets-1988641116111
___

05/11/2026

Let's give a warm welcome to Darcie Clement, our new CCOP Fellow!

"Hello, my name is Darcie Clement, RECE, and I am this year's CCOP Fellow! As a new graduate from Algonquin College's Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development (BELCD) program and previous SPROUT-able project assistant, I am so grateful to be working with Outdoor Play Canada again! I am extremely excited to work with our community of practice! Having the opportunity to be present for conversations with fellow educators and partners on the current state and future of outdoor play is very meaningful to me!

I look forward to the fulfilling work and meaningful connections this year will bring!"

___

04/24/2026

Have you checked out our ECE Resource Library?

All items within this library are related to outdoor early childhood education, produced by those within the sector. This library is intended to be a living resource, where we plan to continually add items as we learn about them. We invite you to share new items with us to keep this library up to date and continue our effort to serve as a central portal of information on outdoor play and learning in Canada, avoid duplication of efforts, and help connect groups with similar interests.

Access the resource library here: 👇

https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/resources/?category=152



____

Avez-vous déjà consulté notre bibliothèque de ressources ?

Tous les articles de cette bibliothèque sont liés à l'éducation à la petite enfance en plein air et ont été produits par des acteurs du secteur. Cette bibliothèque se veut une ressource vivante dans laquelle nous prévoyons contribuer en continu, au fur et à mesure que nous accédons à de nouvelles connaissances. Nous vous invitons à nous partager tous nouveaux éléments afin de conserver cette bibliothèque à jour et maintenir nos efforts pour servir de portail principal d'informations sur le jeu et l'apprentissage en plein air au Canada. Nous voulons aussi éviter de dédoubler les efforts et aider à mettre en relation les groupes ayant des intérêts similaires.

Accédez à la bibliothèque de ressources ici : 👇

https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/fr/resources/?category=152