Finnish children still play outdoors despite digital culture

Finnish children continue to engage in traditional outdoor play, with digital culture influencing rather than replacing imaginative games, according to new research from the University of Jyväskylä.

The study, led by Academy Research Fellow Essi Jouhki, found that outdoor play remains a central part of daily life for Finnish families. “Outdoor and yard games are still important in children’s play and family activities,” Jouhki stated. “Finnish children really do still play outside a lot.”

Researchers surveyed around 560 parents of young children across Finland, examining how often families visit playgrounds, their locations, and children’s activities there. The findings revealed that playgrounds serve as egalitarian spaces used equally by families of all backgrounds, incomes, and education levels. “Playgrounds are very equal places for play in Finnish society,” Jouhki noted.

While traditional games like “cops and robbers” and “house” persist, digital influences—such as themes from Minecraft and Roblox—now shape children’s imaginative play. Jouhki emphasized that digital culture provides raw material for play rather than competing with it. “Change means that play adapts to its time and environment,” she said.

Six-year-old Samuel Rötkö, for example, blends classic and modern influences in his games. At a playground in Mikkeli, he described his role as a bank robber: “I steal from the bank and get maybe 205 euros.” His daycare group from Touhula Huusharju regularly visits the playground, where swings, slides, and climbing frames remain staples.

The study also observed a shift in adult involvement, with parents now playing a more active role in facilitating play within structured spaces like playgrounds or organized hobbies. Despite these changes, Jouhki stressed that imagination remains at the heart of children’s play. “Play lives in its time,” she concluded.