Table 2.

Tool for Observing Play Outdoors developed by Loebach and Cox [46].

Play type and subtype			Description
Physical play
	Gross motor	Using large muscles, whole body movement, large muscle activities that require hand-eye coordination
	Fine motor	Smaller muscle movements and hand-eye coordination, picking up or manipulating small objects
	Vestibular	Activities that test and improve sense of balance or reinforce their relationship to the earth, movement of the head or quick movements in multiple directions
	Rough and tumble	Engagement in playful or mock fighting or wrestling or more broadly playful physical contact
Exploratory play
	Sensory	Primarily passive (ie, nonmanipulative) exploration of an object or environment, focused sensory attention
	Active	Active manipulation of an object or the environment
	Constructive	Physically building or constructing something or thoughtful destruction or taking apart of something
Imaginative play
	Symbolic	Using an object, action, or idea as a symbol for something else with no evidence of sociodramatic or fantasy
	Sociodramatic	Pretending typical social, domestic, or interpersonal experiences or roles they may experience as adults
	Fantasy	Enacting something that is unlikely to occur in real life
Play with rules
	Organic	2 or more kids agree to play or challenge each other in a certain way where they develop, negotiate, or change the rules as they go
	Conventional	2 or more kids play games that have common, universal, or well-known rules that the players understand
Bio play
	Plants	Observes, discusses, or interacts with a living plant or parts of the plant (flowers or seed pods)
	Wildlife	Observes, discusses, or interacts with wildlife (that is not a domestic pet)
	Care	Acts in a way that demonstrates care or stewardship for the environment or an appreciation of nature
Expressive play
	Performance	Intentionally performing for others in some way
	Artistic	Manipulating the environment specifically for an artistic, creative, or esthetic outcome
	Language	Activities involving the playful use or testing of sound, words, or language
	Conversation	Primary interaction is social conversation with children or adults
Restorative play
	Resting	Taking a mental break or rest
	Retreat	Remove themselves to a small, controlled space, may watch others
	Reading	Reading or writing for pleasure or listening to others or music
	Onlooking	Child deliberately steps back from nearby play for a period of observation
Digital play
	Device	Playing with or on a digital device with no interaction with the environment
	Augmented	Using a digital device to augment their interaction with the physical world
	Embedded	Interacting with digital prompts or devices embedded in the environment without a personal digital device
Nonplay
	Self-care	Taking care of themselves or their appearance, can include helping another with these activities
	Nutrition	When a child is taking a break to eat or drink
	Distress	When a child is disengaged from play and exhibiting signs of distress
	Aggression	Refers to nonplayful, antagonistic interactions with another child or adult
	Transition	Nonplayful movement from one space to another, no active engagement or exploration of the environment
	Other	Other types of observed “nonplay” activities, can include “chores” or cleanup work