Kids Playing Outside – 11 Ways to Get Your Kids Outdoors
Want to see your kids playing outside more often? Here are 11 ways to get your kids having fun outdoors more often.
Let’s chat about kids playing outside.
If you’re like many adults who grew up in the 80s or 90s, your favorite childhood memories probably include swimming in lakes and building forts in your backyard.
For me it was riding our bikes out in the neighborhood until sundown and knowing it was time to come home when the street lights came on.
We had the best fun ever living in a cul-de-sac, where almost every house had young kids my age.
We just played and played, making mud-cakes, roller-skating, going on adventures, playing imaginary games and feeling a sense of freedom that seems to be lost if you live in a big city like Sydney nowadays.
Back then, you couldn’t get kids to come back inside.
In fact, it was the worst feeling in the world when your parents hollered out your name and you knew your play with friends was getting cut short.
Nowadays you have to literally push your kids out the door, to play in the fresh air, because they would much prefer to play their Xbox or PS4, or Snapchat on their phone or watch Netflix on their iPads.
Here are some interesting facts: Only 6% of children ages 9 to 13 play outside on their own in a typical week, according to The Nature Conservancy.
Another scary stat:
Among preschoolers, almost half aren’t taken outside by their parents for a walk or playtime each day, says a study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
That same study found that the factors affecting outdoor play probably aren’t what you’d expect.
What mattered MORE was having plenty of playmates and parents who exercised regularly.
So what can you do to help your kids spend more time outdoors?
Take a look at these ideas for encouraging your children to go outside.
Let’s start by looking at the benefits of Outdoor Play and getting kids outdoors
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 1 – Builds healthy bodies.
Sun exposure provides Vitamin D, which builds strong bones.
Physical activity also promotes motor skills and agility. It really is healthy to go outside and get some fresh air.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 2 – Develops strong minds.
Spending time outdoors has been found to stimulate creative thinking, problem solving abilities, and higher IQ scores.
It’s good for mental health at any age.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 3 – Connect with nature.
Direct contact with plants and animals can help children to understand and value the environment.
They’ll be more likely to make responsible choices as they grow up.
Here are some outdoor activities your kids can enjoy close to home:
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 1 – Add water.
Kids love getting wet.
if you can’t build an in-ground pool, you can always spray the hose or sprinkler for your kids to run through.
Alternatively you can create a sand and water play box for them to have fun with.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 2 – Do messy crafts.
You know, the stuff you HATE for them to do indoors.
Paints and markers can be tough on your living room furniture, but almost anything goes outdoors. game boards on your driveway.
Create clay vases or paper mache animals.
Fool around with face painting.
Draw chalkpainting on the pavement outdoors or do tie dying with your kids.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 3 – Eat al fresco.
Meals give you at least 3 opportunities a day to pull up a chair outdoors.
Serve breakfast on your deck, and make lunch a picnic on the grass.
It is so much more fun to eat your meals outdoors.
KIDS OUTDOORS
TIP # 4 – Talk with your school.
Many schools have cut back on recess time.
Advocate for recess, outdoor sports, and other programs that help students spend time outdoors.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 5 – Limit hours online.
While moderate TV time is usually okay, observe reasonable boundaries.
Set a curfew on any screen time before bed, and limit internet usage apart from schoolwork.
You are the parents; you get to set the rules!
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 6 – Allow for downtime.
How many activities are your children enrolled in?
Block out hours for unstructured play in between dance lessons, language classes, and science labs.
Note: There is indeed such thing as too many scheduled activities.
You know your child best and should be able to discern whether they have enough free time blocked out in their schedule.
Outdoor Activities Away from Home:
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 7 – Take a hike.
Walking and hiking are great exercise at little expense.
Keep comfortable shoes in your car so you can go exploring when you come across something interesting.
Go explore the forests and mountains.
Consciously spend more time outdoors with your kids.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 8 – Visit a park.
All kids usually love going to a park!
Take advantage of local and national parks.
Look up what amenities they offer like pools, fountains, and workout circuits.
Take them to a park regularly if you have one nearby so they can run around, blow off steam and play freely.
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 9 – Go camping.
Our family has always loved camping and we have done so regularly over the last 10 years.
Invest in some tents and other basic gear to see if your family likes sleeping outdoors.
You can plan longer and more adventurous trips as you become more experienced (alternatively you can always stick to camping grounds that have well equipped toilet and kitchen facilities).
KIDS PLAYING OUTSIDE
TIP # 10 – Plan active vacations.
How many vacation days do you have saved up?
Choose destinations where your family can spend significant time outdoors.
Go snorkeling in the ocean or skiing in the mountains.
Plan holidays where you can go sightseeing and spend the bulk of your time outdoors.
KIDS OUTDOORS
TIP # 11 – Ride your bikes.
If you have a bike, I encourage you to use it!
Take your bikes out for leisure trips or even to run some errands at the local store.
Check out the bike trails in your community, and make sure to always wear your helmets.
All in all, it is so important that you set a good example for your kids when it comes to spending time outdoors.
Lead well and they will follow you!
Help your children to enjoy more fresh air and unstructured play in the great outdoors.
They’ll be likely to grow up happier and healthier, and achieve so much more in life when they are allowed to play freely and happily outdoors.
Much love,
Frances Vidakovic xx
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.