In many countries there are very few men in professional care for young children. In this paper we will focus on the different perspectives of male and female workers to outdoor play and discuss the role of outdoor activities in recruiting more men to pre-schools. The article is based on research in Norway and Austria. The results draw the conclusion that men with the opportunity to stay outdoors feel more freedom to work with children in their own way, without the tradition of caring in a "mother's home". We suggest that enhancing the outdoor-sector within the concept of childcare would increase the number of men in early childhood education and care. (Contains 3 notes and 1 table.)