Sunshine Coast kids had a feast of alfresco fun recently during an event organised by CQUniversity's final-year Early Childhood Education students to celebrate the importance of outside play.

‘Bush to Beach: Let Them Grow', held in the scenic surrounds of Noosa Library's outdoor areas, encouraged the kids to explore, discover and forge their own connection with the outside world through the wonder of water, dirt, plants and natural craft materials.

CQUniversity Early Childhood Education student Renee Chagoury plants seedlings with Noosaville State School prep students Reuben Todd (left) and Amelia Aufderheide.The emphasis on outdoor play was a response to an increasing body of Early Childhood Education research which has addressed a growing tendency in modern families to ‘bubble-wrap' young people by keeping them indoors.

CQUniversity Lecturer in Early Childhood Education Kathy Bauer said children deprived of adequate outdoor playtime could become risk-averse and overly dependent on their parents.

"Research has found outdoor activities are incredibly important in teaching children about risk-taking, problem-solving and social interaction," Ms Bauer said.

"There are a lot of important lessons that can only be learned from playing in the dirt and climbing trees in the park.

"Of course these things need to be done safely, but the most rewarding childhood is one with a healthy balance between outdoor play and indoor learning."

The day coincided with Early Childhood Australia's Under 8s Week and involved youngsters from Noosaville State School, Noosaville Childcare and Preschool Centre and the general public participating in a range of outdoor activities - including water-play investigations, seed planting and puppet-making.

CQUniversity Early Childhood Education student Renee Chagoury said the event also promoted environmental awareness, in keeping with the Under 8s Week ‘Bush to Beach' theme.

"Playing outdoors is a great way to encourage sustainable behaviour," Ms Chagoury said.

"Children bond with nature and with that comes respect for their natural environment and a desire to protect it.

"We encouraged this by using natural resources throughout the day to teach the kids about the importance of recycling and other environmental issues."

The event contributed to the CQUniversity students' final assessments and brought together theoretical and practical skills taught throughout their degree.

Ms Bauer said the students were learning to promote early childhood education to the wider community.

"Organising this type of event fosters leadership skills and teaches students how to advocate and implement educational change," Ms Bauer said.

"It's important for teachers to be able to engage closely with the community and communicate when the need for change arises.

"We place this course at the end of their programs so, when they begin teaching, these skills and concepts are fresh in their minds."