At what age do children typically enjoy outdoor play and imaginative activities?

Children typically begin to show a strong interest in outdoor play and imaginative activities between the ages of 36 to 48 months. At this stage of development, children are better able to engage in symbolic play, where they use their imagination to create scenarios, role-play, and interact with their environment more dynamically. They also have improved motor skills, enabling them to participate in more complex physical activities such as running, climbing, and exploring outdoor spaces actively.

In contrast, children who are younger, such as those in the 24 to 36 month range, are still developing basic skills and tend to engage in more parallel play rather than fully imaginative play. While they may enjoy being outdoors, their play is less complex and focused more on immediate exploration of their surroundings rather than on role-play or imaginative scenarios.