News & Events

News

For upcoming and recent Events, see section below.
For media coverage of our work, visit the Resources section.

January 23, 2026
Teachers College Press

New book for K-8 teachers! | By Megan Zeni & Mariana Brussoni: Embracing Risky Play at School

New book by Drs. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni, Embracing Risky Play at School, provides K–8 educators with practical, research-based guidance for implementing—and advocating for!—risky play at school. The book comes out on January 23. 2026. It is available to pre-order from Outdoor Learning School & Store & University of Toronto Press (Canada) | Teachers College Press (US & International).

January 7, 2025
YWCA

Dr. Mariana Brussoni nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award

Congratulations to Dr. Mariana Brussoni, who has been nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award, in the Research, the Sciences & Technology category. YWCA Women of Distinction Awards celebrate women and organizations across Metro Vancouver who are difference-makers in their communities.

July 22, 2024
UBC News

Why your kids should take risks while playing outdoors this summer

UBC pediatric and injury prevention expert Dr. Mariana Brussoni reveals why risky play is so important for children’s health and development.

June 24, 2024
UBC Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Mariana Brussoni receives a 2024 UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to the University and Community

Congratulations to Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a 2024 UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award recipient, in the Service to the University and Community category! Dr. Brussoni, along with Dr. Kendall Ho, are the faculty recognized this year for their "significant contributions to local, national or international communities aimed at improved health outcomes of the population."

May 29, 2024
Vanier Canada

Hebah Hussaina announced as a 2024 Vanier Scholar

Congratulations to Hebah Hussaina, who was announced today as one of the 2024 Vanier Scholars! The award will support Hebah's upcoming work as part of the PhD program in the School of Population and Public Health, at the University of British Columbia. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) recognizes doctoral students for their leadership, research and excellence in graduate-level scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

April 19, 2024
US Play Coalition

Dr. Mariana Brussoni receives the 2024 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research

Dr. Mariana Brussoni was presented with the 2024 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research at the US Play Coalition's 2024 National Conference on the Value of Play. The Conference, titled "THE FUTURE OF PLAY," was held April 16 - 18, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana at the Indiana University campus.

January 25, 2024
Canadian Paediatric Society

Canadian Paediatric Society issues a Position Statement on the importance of outdoor risky play

Canadian Paediatric Society has issued a new recommendation that highlights the importance of unstructured outdoor risky play to a healthy development of children. They are recommending children to be kept “as safe as necessary” during play, rather than “as safe as possible.”

October 19, 2023
Outside Play UBC Lab

New tool for elementary school teachers to support outdoor play and learning, now available!

We have launched a new tool in support of outdoor play and learning in elementary schools! The tool was created as part of Megan Zeni’s PhD research, in collaboration with elementary school teachers across Canada. Megan brings to this work over 25 years of experience teaching outdoors, including strong passion and advocacy for the importance of teaching and learning outdoors.

September 29, 2023
Outdoor Play Canada

Megan Zeni is the recipient of the 2023 Outdoor Play Canada Dr. Mariana Brussoni Award

Megan Zeni was recognized at the 2023 Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit in Ottawa for her work and advocacy in the field of outdoor play and learning. Megan is a teacher with over 25 years of experience, including advocacy for outdoor, risky play in schools. Her PhD work includes working with teachers to develop a tool - available at https://teacher.outsideplay.org/ for supporting outdoor play and learning across Canada. More information about her work is available on her website: https://meganzeni.com/ The Outdoor Play Canada Dr. Mariana Brussoni Award recognizes leadership and commitment to children's outdoor, risky play in Canada. For the complete list of the 2023 Outdoor Play Canada award recipients and for more information, please visit: https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/2023/10/04/announcing-the-2023-outdoor-play-canada-award-winners

September 29, 2023
Outdoor Play Canada

Dr. Mariana Brussoni receives the 2023 Outdoor Play Canada Research Award

Dr. Mariana Brussoni was the recipient of the 2023 Outdoor Play Canada Research Award at the 2023 Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit in Ottawa! Dr. Brussoni was recognized for her research and advocacy work on outdoor, risky play. The Award recognizes research excellence and researchers' demonstrated contribution to the field of outdoor play research in Canada. For the complete list of recipients and for more information, please visit:

March 31, 2023
UBC

Dr. Mariana Brussoni promoted to Professor, Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health

We would like to extend our big congratulations to Dr. Mariana Brussoni, who was recently promoted to Professor by the Head of UBC’s Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Steven Miller. The promotion was celebrated at a ceremony held at the University Golf Club on May 31, 2023. The event honoured members of UBC Faculty of Medicine, recognizing their achievements and careers.For more information, please visit: https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/2023/06/09/2023-ubc-faculty-of-medicine-academic-gowns-and-emeriti-recognition-ceremony/

October 13, 2022
UBC

Rachel Ramsden – Outside Play Lab Project Coordinator & PhD student – welcomed as one of UBC’s new Public Scholars

A big congratulations to Rachel Ramsden, whose work on outdoor play and community-driven research was recently recognized as part of UBC’s Public Scholars Initiative!The Public Scholars Initiative supports UBC doctoral students whose work pushes existing boundaries and contributes to public good through collaborative, interdisciplinary research: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/psi

July 11, 2022
UBC Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Mariana Brussoni awarded an additional $1.3 million to continue research on ways to maximize outdoor play time for early learning and child care centres

Very exciting news for our Promoting Early Childhood Outside (PRO-ECO) study!Announcement was made on July 11, 2022 that the study was awarded $1.3 million from the federal government’s Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Program. The grant will support the second phase of the study, focusing on a partnership with First Nations and Métis child care organizations.“We already know from many other studies that more outdoor play is better. What we are doing with PRO-ECO is focusing on how we can change the behaviours and practices of early childhood educators and families, to support more outdoor play in their centres, especially in the context of the pandemic” – Dr. Mariana Brussoni.

May 26, 2022
YWCA Women of Distinction Awards

Hebah Hussaina is the 2022 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award recipient!

Big congratulations to Hebah Hussaina on being the 2022 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction!Hebah is recognized for her support of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education for youth, including as Surrey Program Coordinator for Science World‘s Future Science Leaders, and as part of her community involvement. Listen to Hebah’s 2019 TEDx talk: “How Volunteering Grows Healthy Communities.”

Events

February 5, 2026
Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP)

Embracing Risky Play: At School and Beyond

Join experts Drs. Megan Zeni and Mariana Brussoni for an engaging webinar promoting their newly released book, Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn and Grow! Learn practical strategies for supporting outdoor play and learning in the elementary school years, the difference between risks and hazards, and the research demonstrating how risky play supports children’s health, development, well-being and learning. Webinar takes place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, 3:00 – 4:30PM (PST), via Zoom. To register, visit: https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/webinar-embracing-risky-play-at-school-and-beyond/

January 30, 2026
Child Care Resource and Referral

Dr. Mariana Brussoni, keynote speaker at 2026 Children the Heart of the Matter Conference, Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and our Connection to the Land

2026 Children the Heart of the Matter Conference, Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and our Connection to the Land will be held on January 30 & 31, 2026, in Surrey BC. The sessions will focus on the value and importance of outdoor play to children and adults in early care and learning. Dr. Mariana Brussoni will be the keynote speaker for the conference!

October 16, 2025
Take Me Outside

Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni at the 2025 Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference

Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Megan Zeni will be taking part at the 2025 Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference, which will be held October 16-18, 2025 in Banff, Alberta. This conference brings together school system leaders and administrators for 3 days of professional development, research and growth around outdoor learning.

September 25, 2025
Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit

2025 Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit

Connect with Outside Play Lab's Anguli Bharmota, Dr. Megan Zeni, Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Rachel Ramsden at the 2025 Breath of Fresh Air Outdoor Play Summit. The theme for this year 's Summit is ‘Play Across the Ages – Nature’s Call to All’. Visit https://outdoorplaysummit.ca/ for more information and the full program.

May 8, 2025
Take Me Outside - 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

Megan Zeni's TEDstyle Talk at the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

Megan Zeni, is a passionate advocate for children's outdoor learning and play, with over 25 years of experience as a K-7 public school teacher, will be presenting at the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference. Megan's PhD research supported the development of our free online teacher tool - https://teacher.outsideplay.org - developed by teachers for teachers to support outdoor learning and play in elementary schools.

February 26, 2025
BCCHR, Evidence to Innovation - 2025 Research Day

Outside Play Lab at the 2025 Research Day - BCCHR

Outside Play Lab team members Angela Lee and Anguli Bharmota took part in the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute's Evidence to Innovation 2025 Research Day. Angela presented on some of the preliminary results of the BC data from the Measuring early Childhood Outside (MECO) study. Anguli presented on The National Active School Streets Initiative. Visit the "Research" page of our website for more information about our current and past studies.

February 1, 2025
Children at the Heart of the Matter Conference - Child Care Resource & Referral

Why Outdoor Risky Play Is Critical In The Early Years - Now More Than Ever

Hebah Hussaina's session, presented as part of the upcoming Children at the Heart of the Matter Conference, will help participants build a case about the need for outdoor risky play in their work with children, and hear about related tools and educational resources. Online option will be available.

July 25, 2024
BC Children's Hospital Research Institute

2024 Summer Student Poster Day

BC Children's Hospital Research Institute's 2024 Summer Student Poster Day celebrates research work by summer students. Taking part in the event will be our lab's Angela Lee and Gabrielle Martinez. In their presentations, Angela and Gabrielle will talk about their research work focused on children's outdoor risky play in child care centres. Visit the BCCHR website for descriptions of their presentations and for the complete program of the event.

June 11, 2024
International Play Association

Webinar: "As safe as necessary, not as safe as possible." Canadian Paediatric Society says kids need more risky play

In January 2024, the Canadian Paediatric Society issued a position statement about the importance of children’s risky play. On June 11th, hear from the co-authors of the new guidelines, Drs. Emilie Beaulieu and Suzanne Beno, in conversation with Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Pamela Fuselli, President and CEO of Parachute Canada, about why risky play is important for children and their development. The session will be moderated by Dr. Louise de Lannoy, Executive Director of Outdoor Play Canada. The webinar is presented by the International Play Association. A link to the video recording of the webinar will be made available on June 11, 2024 - the first-ever International Day of Play!

May 30, 2024
BC Cancer and SunSafe BC

Webinar: Desiging Cooler Spaces for Sun Safety and Thermal Comfort

This webinar will focus on the design and use of shade in community spaces, and the importance of shade in prevention of skin cancer and heat-related illness. Discussion will include different shade design ideas and funding opportunities. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/prevent/about/webinars

May 9, 2024
The Safe Parenting Summit

Popping the Bubble Wrap: Are Children Too Safe for Their Own Good?

This year's Safe Parenting Summit will be taking place May 6-10, 2024, with 5 days of expert talks, strategies, and resources.The sessions will include a conversation between Christy Keating, The Heartful Parent Collective Founder, and Dr. Mariana Brussoni, about the importance of children's independence, agency and outdoor risky play. This event is free, but registration is required. More information is available at https://thesafeparentingsummit.com/

September 27, 2023
Keynote address – Dr. Mariana Brussoni

Breath of Fresh Air – Outdoor Play Summit – Ottawa, ON

Breath of Fresh Air is a biennial three-day Outdoor Play Summit where thought leaders, practitioners, researchers and policy makers can connect and share best practices. The theme for the 2023 summit is ‘Research, policy, and practice – their intersections for the promotion of outdoor play’. The summit will feature inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and open conversations on how research, policy, and practice may promote and shape the future of outdoor play in Canada and abroad. For more information please visit: https://outdoorplaysummit.ca/

May 16, 2023
Webinar featuring Rachel Ramsden

Risky Outdoor Play Webinar – Outdoor Play Canada

Outside Play Lab’s Rachel Ramsden will be taking part in the upcoming Outdoor Play Canada’s Risky Outdoor Play webinar, where she’ll be speaking about the lab’s latest research. The session will also feature presentations by US-based Janet Loebach and Adina Cox, as well as Alexander Olsen and Steffen Tangen from Norway. Speakers’ presentations will be followed by a discussion.For more information please visit: https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/2023/04/28/risky-outdoor-play-webinar/

March 30, 2023
Webinar featuring Dr. Mariana Brussoni

Outdoor and Nature Play: A Global Look at Research, Policy and Practice

This 75-minute webinar, organised by The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Early Care and Education Special Interest (ECE SIG), will include a discussion from international experts currently working in the field of outdoor play/nature play. Professor Mariana Brussoni (Canada) will provide an overview of the latest research. Mairi Ferris from Thrive Outdoors (Scotland) will discuss the power of position statements and policy relating to outdoor play/nature play. Fiona Harris (Australia) will discuss how nature play/outdoor play can be successfully implemented in Early Childhood Education. She will explore the ins and outs of beach Kinder. Drs Leigh Vanderloo and Brianne Bruijns will engage the audience and panel speakers in a lively discussion. Please join us on the 30th March 2023, 20:00 GMT to be inspired. For more information please visit: https://isbnpa.org/webinar/march-30-2023-8-pm-utc-early-care-and-education-sig-webinar-outdoor-and-nature-play-a-global-look-at-research-policy-and-practice/ To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x8j8paRATsW1NKNHIPUdAg

February 24, 2023
Interactive workshop with Rachel Ramsden

Supporting Children’s Outdoor Risky Play as a parent or family member

Learn about the key ingredients to enhance outdoor and risky play (‘time, ‘space’ and ‘freedom’) and how you can begin to incorporate these into a child’s everyday life. This is an interactive workshop that will work through real examples from the field, emerging research across British Columbia, Canada and international contexts, and supportive next steps on your journey towards supporting children’s outdoor and risky play. For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/CMCSTerrace

February 22, 2023
Online workshop with Rachel Ramsden

Supporting Children’s Outdoor Risky Play

Research is clear on the importance of regular and repeated access to outdoor risky play. Early learning and child care centres are important environments for the early years and experiences in these settings provide essential opportunities for children’s outdoor risky play that they may not have at home. This session will help you build the case about the need for outdoor risky play and get ideas to make positive changes in your work with children. Learn the key concepts that support outdoor risky play and how you can begin to incorporate these into your programs and plans. This interactive workshop will work through real examples from early learning and child care environments, focusing on how to support children’s outdoor risky play. Recent research from British Columbia will showcase how child care centres are supporting outdoor risky play through policy, practice and environment modifications. This session will also make available the resources and tools to help you get started in your role supporting young children’s participation in outdoor risky play. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.wstcoast.org/workshops/supporting-childrens-outdoor-risky-play

February 16, 2023
Workshop with Rachel Ramsden at Chorus Kits

Supporting Outdoor and Risky Play in Young Children

Research is clear on the importance of regular and repeated access to outdoor risky play. Despite the known benefits of outdoor play, children in North America are spending less time outdoors. In addition, children’s play experiences have become more monitored and controlled. This session will help you build the case about the need for outdoor risky play in your experiences with children, whether as an educator, parent, or family member. Learn the key concepts that support outdoor risky play and how you can begin to incorporate these into your outdoor experiences with children. This workshop will highlight examples from the field, outline how to identify a hazard from a risk, and showcase recent research from the Outside Play UBC Lab. This session will also make available the resources and tools to help you get started in your role supporting young children’s participation in outdoor risky play. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.chorusandclouds.ca/products/brussoni-lab

November 23, 2022
Webinar with Dr. Mariana Brussoni

Importance of Outdoor Play on Brain Development & Mental Health

This presentation by Dr. Mariana Brussoni is the first in a new webinar series by Families Canada and the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development, focused on addressing emerging issues and challenges in the family support sector. Dr. Brussoni will discuss science-based information and strategies that support the positive impact of outdoor play on brain development and mental health in early childhood as well as for adults and educators alike. Helping participants to understand the importance of outdoor play, touching on risky play and how to implement it. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/importance-of-outdoor-play-on-brain-development-mental-health-tickets-445368478107

November 3, 2022
Canadian Injury Prevention Conference

Investigating Parents’ Risk Propensity for Themselves, Their Child, and Child Injury Incidence – presentation by Hebah Hussaina

Hebah Hussaina, graduate research assistant with the Play Outside Lab, will be presenting at the 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference. Hebah’s presentation will be focusing on understanding the relationship between parents’ risk-taking perspectives and injury in the context of outdoor and risky play. For more information about the conference, please visit: https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/2022conference/

November 3, 2022
Canadian Injury Prevention Conference

Child and Youth Outdoor Play – presentation by Megan Zeni and Emma Raaflaub

Curious about how to promote child and youth outdoor play? Join Play Outside Lab members Megan Zeni and Emma Raaflaub at the 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference. Megan and Emma will be discussing outdoor play and learning, and covering topics of outdoor play, risky play, and risk-benefit assessment. They hope the workshop audience will gain an understanding of the importance of outdoor play, how equitable access to outdoor play can be achieved and analyze practical solutions of outdoor play in practice. For more information about the conference, please visit: https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/2022conference

June 30, 2022
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

Freedom! An OPAL online open day

This event brings together international researchers, school leaders and education thinkers with a focus on ensuring more children have the freedom to play every day at school. Featuring Michael Follett, Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Sarah Alexander and others! For tickets and information please visit Freedom! An OPAL online open day website.

May 24, 2022
UNICEF Canada

UNICEF Report Card 17 Canadian Launch: The Future is Now

Join an intergenerational dialogue with UNICEF Canada and guests to review Canada’s progress and the policies that will protect children’s environment and their right to a childhood. Speakers include Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Saara Choudry, Kyrstin Dumont, Dr. Elaine MacDonald, David Morley, Paula Robeson, Dr. Shannon Waters, Lisa Wolff and Julie Dabrusin. Please visit the event website for more information.

May 5, 2022
Inspiring Scotland | Thrive Outdoors

Thrive Outdoors Conference 2002

Dr. Mariana Brussoni will be speaking about risky and adventurous play at the online Thrive Outdoors Early Learning & Childcare 2022 Conference: Growing Ambition Together! Please visit the event website to register, as well as to check out the full list of exciting speakers.

Outdoor play is a basic childhood need and taking risks is a necessary part of play. Whether jumping in a pile of leaves, climbing a tree, or playing street hockey, children are often happiest when playing. These kinds of experiences are a lot less common for kids today.

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