Playing Outdoors
Training to help you plan engaging outdoor play and take indoor activities outside.
Course Overview
Get a free 1-hour online child care training with certificate (0.1 CEU). Playing Outdoors shows you how to design engaging outdoor play and bring indoor activities outside—for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
You’ll learn how to set up outdoor environments that promote learning, choose simple activities year-round, and adapt indoor centers for outside use. Discover how outdoor play supports children’s physical and mental health while encouraging curiosity and fun.
This course is also available in Spanish.
This short introductory course is a great way to experience Care Courses and our online system. Normally $12, this course is currently free.
Start your free online course now!
Course format
Many Care Courses are offered in both book (with online component) and fully online formats. Playing Outdoors is offered fully online and includes audio narration in most sections.
Acceptance information
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This course is accepted in all states except as indicated:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland - this course can be used as elective training
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota - this course is not accepted by MNCPD (because it is 1 clock hour)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma - this course can be used as informal credit
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
In Maryland, this course can be used as elective training (1 hr).
This course is not accepted by MNCPD (because it is 1 clock hour). Visit our Minnesota childcare training page for information on courses that are accepted.
In Oklahoma, this course can be used for informal credit (1 hr).
Welcome video
Welcome to Playing Outdoors! Watch the welcome video for a quick intro to the course.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course you will be able to:
- Explain the benefits of outdoor play
- Identify environments and activities that encourage exploration
Topics covered
- Benefits of play
- Benefits of outdoor play
- Outdoor play year-round
- Outdoor activities
- Outdoor play with infants
- Outdoor environments
- Outdoor water and sand play
- Outdoor gardening
Want to learn more? Read our blog: The Benefits of Play in Early Childhood.
How Care Courses® Training Works: Details & Support
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Course Details & Support
Prerequisites
- Language: Fluent reading and writing in the language of instruction (English or Spanish).
- Technology: Internet access and a web-enabled device (computer, smartphone, or tablet).
Access & Completion Deadline
- This training expires 12 months from the date of purchase.
- To receive a certificate of completion, you must successfully finish the course before the expiration date.
Learning Methods
- Read instructor-written material
- Watch videos
- Listen to audio segments
Assessments
- Multiple-choice quizzes
- Written assignments
Requirements for CEUs and Clock Hours
To earn CEUs and Clock Hours for a course, you must:
- Agree to and acknowledge our Honor Code & Policy
- Follow all instructions for written assignments
- Demonstrate comprehension of the course content
- Achieve the passing score specified in your course.
Quizzes and Assessments
- If your score falls below the passing mark, a trainer will review your work. If needed, you may be asked to speak with a trainer.
- You will have a second chance to retake any quiz or assessment.
- If you do not pass on your second attempt, contact us at info@carecourses.com. We will review your course and follow up directly.
- All quizzes are open book; all answers are found in the course material.
Certificates
- Official Care Courses certificates of completion record your clock hours and CEUs.
- Certificates are available in the My Courses area of your account.
- Please note: All course and certificate dates and times are on Eastern Time.
Getting Started
- See how our training works on the training process page.
- Watch our course navigation video for a quick tour of the online portal.
- Free Unlimited Assistance
- We’re here to help with training, billing, and technical support questions.
- Phone: 1-800-685-7610 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern)
- Email: info@CareCourses.com or techsupport@CareCourses.com (days, evenings, and weekends)
About Care Courses
- Care Courses offers over 50 professional development courses and one non-credit training tutorial on the CDA process.
- All professional development courses include clock hours, CEUs, and an official online certificate of completion.
- (The free CDA tutorial does not offer clock hours or a certificate.)
Tuition & Bundles
- Course tuition entitles one person to receive the clock hours and CEUs granted upon successful completion.
- Bundle pricing covers tuition for all courses included in the bundle.
Policies & Requirements
