How to Get Your Child to Play Outdoors – 6 Simple Tips

A common lament today is that kids are no longer interested in playing outdoors. In fact, a recent study says that 54 percent of parents seriously worry their child doesn’t spend enough time playing outdoors, with most kids preferring to watch TV or play computer games over going outside. Incredibly, nearly one in ten parents said that their child would rather do homework or household chores than step outside to play!

Now there’s nothing wrong in having fun inside the house. It’s great that there are so many fun kids’ games that can be enjoyed indoors. Kids benefit greatly from indoor activities like reading books and playing educational games for kids online. The problem is not that kids are playing inside their homes, but that they spend such little time playing outdoors! The lack of physical activity and outdoor play among kids has led to various health problems like increasing levels of obesity and reduced muscle development and balance.

You probably would have dismissed this as being ridiculous a few decades ago, but today’s parents actually need to coax their children to spend time outdoors. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are a few ideas that can help.

Photo by pennuja

1. Invite your child’s friends over for an outdoor playdate

If your child’s free time is usually spent playing kids’ games on the computer or watching television, he may find it difficult to come up with ways to entertain himself independently. Sending him outdoors alone will not solve the problem. Rather, he will come back convinced that there’s nothing fun to do outside. Instead, a good idea is to invite a friend or two of his over to play with him outside. Creating positive experiences outdoors is a great way to encourage him to venture outside more often.

2. Set an example

As with every other lesson you try to teach your kids, this too relies on setting a good example. If you spend all your time indoors, you can’t expect your child to run outside to play. Try to make sure you spend some time everyday outdoors, and let it coincide with your child’s outdoor time if possible. You can do some gardening, walk the dog, play kids’ games with your children or just get some fresh air.Don’t worry if you have to skip a day or two, but don’t let it become a monthly event either.

3. Let them take their toys with them

If your child has toys that she enjoys playing with at home, let her take her toys outside for new ways to play with them. Gradually you can encourage her to play with other toys like a jump rope or a ball and then to play outdoor kids’ games that don’t require toys at all.

4. Take them for outings to various outdoor locations

Playing outdoors doesn’t just mean playing on the lawn or a court. There are various ways that kids can enjoy themselves outside, and each with its own charm. Show your kids the endless possibilities of outdoor fun by taking them to various outdoor locations where they can enjoy themselves. A neighborhood park, a beach, a nature trail, a river or lake, a camp site and a nature trail are just a few examples of various outdoor locations where your children can play kids’ games and enjoy themselves.

5. Teach them your favorite outdoor games

Today’s kids no longer know the fun outdoor games that everyone knew when you were growing up. Use their outdoor play time to bond with them and teach them the games you used to play as a kid. For games requiring a large group of kids, you can invite a group of their friends over and teach them all how to play. You can even join in on those fun kids’ games and relive your childhood days! In case you’ve forgotten the rules, you can always look them up online.

6. Make it a habit

Ensure your child’s outdoor play is not a once in a blue moon event by setting rules to make sure it happens on a regular basis. You can set an hour long period during which your children must play outdoors every day if they have not done so until that time. During this period, all electronic devices must be switched off and put away, even if one of them has to stay indoors for some unexpected reason. Once children get into the habit of playing outdoors, you will find them venturing outside even when they aren’t forced to.

Use these simple tips to get your children playing fun kids’ games outside the house instead of on the internet. With increased physical activity, you will find other positive outcomes like better health, the ability to focus better and improved social and cognitive skills!