How to Encourage Kids to Participate in Outdoor Activities
Posted On: January 16, 2018 By Jim Newton
No matter what age, children require constant activity and exploration in order to thrive. Sometimes it’s easy to let our adult lives become jaded by the daily grind of it all, and this can have an effect on how our children experience their own daily lives. Outdoor play is great for a child’s development physically, but it can also heavily influence family dynamics which can bring us closer to our children. Making outdoor play a bigger part of our lives makes a statement to our kids that health is important, and we are in direct control of our body’s growth. Furthermore, outdoor play illustrates that being healthy is fun—exercise doesn’t have to include a treadmill with no end—on the contrary, exercise can strengthen and develop bonds and relationships in a fun way that includes plenty of fresh air. Here are some of the benefits of outdoor activities for children and how you can encourage your own kids to participate.
Benefits of outdoor activities
Fresh air, vitamin D, and exploring the natural world are only a few of the great benefits of outdoor play. Depending on the activity, children can develop their fine and gross motor skills at increased rates with more outdoor play—from picking flowers to playing baseball, children are growing and strengthening their muscles. After a long day in sitting in classes, outdoor play also helps release anxiety and distress by creating endorphins. Among the plethora of other advantages, outdoor activities also help kids develop confidence through skill-building and mastering focus and attention.
Get out there with them
Outdoor activities shouldn’t be a chore for kids. With work, grocery shopping, household chores, and errand-running, outdoor play is not always the first thing on our minds. However, setting aside 30 minutes every day for an outdoor activity with your children can be stress-reducing in and of itself. Finding an activity that the whole family can commit to is a great way to get kids to see that you’re invested in spending time with them. Getting out there and playing with them, rather than just shouting from the sidelines, sends the message to your kids that you’re invested in your own health too.
Make it part of a routine
Outdoor play can work best when it is part of a routine. Maybe every day after school your young ones are mentally and emotionally burnt out and need a little distraction; this might be a good time to get outside and play catch for a while before homework time. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that children who take breaks during homework assignments are better able to focus on and complete a task.
Make their health and development a discussion
Rather than demanding that your child go outside and play for 30 minutes, it helps to make them part of a discussion about the health of their bodies and minds and how outdoor play helps them grow stronger. Give your kids a platform that can help them understand why exercise is important for everyone and how it can help them be happier people in the long run, and be sure to answer and discuss all of their questions.
Let them choose from a variety of activities
Again, it’s important to include your child in the discussion about their health and activity level. Not all kids are the same—some kids might love structured sports like baseball or basketball, while other kids might like to play tag or handball instead. While it’s important to introduce your kids to new experiences, it’s most important to listen to their interests and desires and let them have a choice and final say.
At Great Beginnings Child Care and Learning Center in Sugar Hill, GA, we believe that outdoor activities are beneficial in endless ways for both children individually and families as a whole. In fact, it’s easy to see how outdoor activities like local sports hold our communities together like glue. Kids need exercise for their growth and development, and it’s important for parents and families to be on the same page in terms of their commitment to making outdoor play a priority. At Great Beginnings, we make outdoor play a large portion of all of our programs because we know how much it impacts children. For more information about our philosophies on child development or the various programs we offer, contact us directly. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our community by helping families and children come together through outdoor activities.
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