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It can be so frustrating to see kids on screens or stuck inside for long periods of time, but at the same time it can be exhausting taking kids outside to play.
I totally get it. This parenting gig is a tough one, and making sure kids get outside every single day can seem like a daunting task.
So how do you get your kids to spend more time outside? I have a few tips for you.
playing outside isn’t popular anymore
Once upon a time kids were raised outdoors. Waking up and going outside was the norm – and it would be abnormal to see kids want to spend their time indoors reading books or working on projects.
But these days, things are a little bit different.
We live in a world of technology. A world where electronics are at your fingertips and in various forms too! Cell phones! Tablets! Computers! Video Game consoles! They. Are. Everywhere.
Not only do we have electronics, but we also have a society with extremely overscheduled kids. Kids who simply don’t have time to play outside.
Kids should be spending their free time making houses out of sticks, climbing trees and splashing in rivers. They should be pretending to be astronauts and firefighters.
They should be pretending the pine cones are pieces of gold and they need to find the treasure before time runs out.
The outside world has so many benefits for kids.
So how do we get them outside so they can be…kids?
consider it Essential
If you treat outside time as important as brushing your teeth or having breakfast every morning, then it will become easier to take the kids outside to play.
Treating outside time as an essential activity rather than something you should do if you have time and energy is a great way to actually get it done every single day.
Ditch The Scheduled Activities
I don’t mean ditch the scheduled sports altogether, but if kids have more time to be bored they will spend more time outside.
This is especially difficult for kids who have an organized activity everyday after school like I did growing up, but it is so important!
Actually, I had to teach myself to like spending time outside because of how little time I spent playing outside as a child.
Go To Green Spaces
Take Advantage of fields and large open spaces! Kids can play in a field with nothing in it. They can play with bugs, pick flowers, run wild and free.
An open field is an invitation to activate the imagination.
Visit Playgrounds
If you have a nearby playground it can get boring to go there daily to play, so try to find new locations if you can.
I like to explore new playgrounds around the city and we have found some really nice hidden gems!
I know it’s not possible for every family to ride around town and find new places to play, but if you can, I highly suggest it.
Dress them Properly
This is probably a given, but if kids are not dressed for the weather they won’t want to play.
This means sun hats, sunscreen and shorts in the summer and raingear if it’s a rainy day.
Wintertime does require some sort of a snowsuit, hat and gloves. I know it can be tough to gear kids up to brave the great outdoors, but the hassle is worth it, even if you’re getting more than 1 child ready for outside play.
Let Them Get Curious
Kids are naturally curious, and when kids play outside they will want to explore everything they possibly can. It’s kind of part of the process of raising kids… you have to let them explore and learn!
You might see a few bruises and scrapes if you give them that space to learn and roam, but those are all part of the life lessons too!
These kinds of things will just help your kids learn about their abilities and their limits and they will know what to do next time to avoid getting hurt (maybe.)
Take A Walk In The Morning
You can walk your child to school in the mornings to get in a little bit of extra fresh air time.
You can also do the same after school! I know it’s tempting to drive your kids to school, especially since mornings can be really rough and crazy, but if you make it a priority to take that walk, it can teach your kids that spending time outside is important.
Go outside in bad weather
Alright, I know that going outside in the pouring rain or freezing cold doesn’t seem appealing.. I don’t like doing it either but going outside in all kinds of weather is really important for kids!
Make sure to dress kids (and yourself) properly and you’ll be totally fine!
Get Playful Yourself
It can be hard sometimes, but it’s important to get in there and play with your kids. Being there and taking them outside is fine, but jumping puddles yourself or making flower headbands together can really help you guys create strong bonds.
Say Goodbye To Screens
It’s difficult to have limited screens in a screen dominated world but it’s actually a really good idea to say goodbye to a lot of screen time.
Here is a great resource on how to limit screen time at home.
I know you’re rolling your eyes. I’ve been there too, but it’s actually really cool to see what happens when you limit screen time with kids.
Set Up Activities
When I say activities, I don’t mean you need to do anything super complex.
Something as simple as filling up the water table with water (or bubbles) or giving your kids a soccer ball to pass around can be very helpful in getting your kids to spend more time outside.
Here are over 100 outdoor activities your kids can enjoy!
Bottom Line
To summarize, there is a strong link between outdoor play and brain growth. Outdoor play in the woods, forests, or on outdoor play equipment has numerous benefits for children that much outweigh the hazards of bumps and bruises, which are sometimes alleviated with natural rubber flooring.
So, take your kids out into the grass and onto the playground slide and swing to enjoy the creativity, social milieu, and physical benefits of outdoor play. You’ll quickly notice the advantages for yourself.