Devon MP wants 'minimum outside play quotas' set for schools
Caroline Voaden wants children to spend at least 30 minutes outside during the day at primary and secondary schools
Last updated 7th Jul 2026
A Devon MP's today asking Parliament to do more to ensure children spend longer playing outdoors - with 'outside minimums' set for schools.
South Devon's Caroline Voaden says outside play has halved in a generation, whilst mental health referrals have risen.
She says change is needed as being outside is good for both physical and mental health.
Ahead of today's session in Parliament, the MP said: "I was absolutely staggered to learn recently that the amount of time children spend outside has dropped by 50% in a single generation.
"Think about all the experiences you had as a kid out in nature that children today just aren’t having. And the scary thing is, we can all see what this is doing to our children’s mental health.
"Being outdoors is good for mental and physical health, so sadly I really don’t find it at all surprising that mental health referrals for children are skyrocketing as their time outside declines.
"The good thing is that we know how to turn this around and thankfully one of the solutions is actually quite easy and cheap.
"They just need to spend more time outside. And that is why I am introducing my Outdoor Education Bill, which, among other things, calls for children to spend at least 30 minutes outside during the day at primary and secondary schools."