Danish children are spending significantly more time in nature now than they did five years ago. New research from the Center for Children and Nature (Center for Børn og Natur) indicates that the percentage of children who regularly spend time in green environments has increased by 10-15 percentage points since 2018. Among the 4,593 children aged 1 to 15 who participated in the study, nearly half expressed a desire to spend even more time outdoors.

The study supports the notion that children thrive in nature. A substantial 83% of the surveyed children reported that being in nature makes them very happy, while 94% enjoy spending time outdoors. “It is not insignificant whether our children have experiences in nature,” stated Søren Præstholm, the head of the Center for Children and Nature. He also emphasized that existing research shows a positive link between nature and health, highlighting the importance of allowing children to experience more of the outdoors.

According to Politiken, children on average spent two hours and 43 minutes outside on weekdays and three hours and 24 minutes during weekends in 2023. This time includes outdoor transportation, which constitutes about a quarter of the total. However, the biggest barrier to spending more time outdoors is the lack of time in daily routines, along with children’s needs for more ideas and inspiration.

Schools and institutions play a central role in children’s outdoor time. Søren Præstholm sees potential in integrating more nature into school areas. “There could be bushes to explore, trees to climb, and flowers with butterflies to observe,” he suggested. Additionally, increased collaboration between schools and local municipalities concerning nature activities in the community could meet children’s demand for outdoor experiences.