Girls play outside less than boys even at two years old, study finds

Girls play outside in nature less than boys even at the age of two, according to the first national survey of play among preschool-age children in Britain.

- Sally Weale

While researchers expect to see older children socialised to particular gender roles, they were shocked to see similar patterns of behaviour starting to emerge in children so young. They fear it could have longterm implications for girls' health, as girls are less physically active as they get older and are more likely than boys to have difficulties with their mental health.

The study also found preschool-age children from minority ethnic backgrounds played less outdoors than their white counterparts, and children in urban areas played less outdoors than those in rural areas. "The results highlight inequalities in play even in the youngest age group, which may exacerbate existing inequalities in health," it concluded.