When kids spend time outdoors, there are many benefits. Outdoors, our kids are physically active, social, and adventurous. On top of this, they get vitamin D and fresh air. Playing in nature also helps to ease stress and improve kids' moods. It grounds them so they are able to tackle homework and sleep better. Even having a small period of low through to moderate-intensity exercise can help to prevent weight gain in children. Outdoor play is essential, however, it can be difficult to get kids going. Therefore you need a few things under your belt to help get them motivated. Let’s have a look at some of the ways you can do this:

Arrange A Play Date 

It can be difficult to entertain children outside, especially if they are playing with younger siblings, have reached the stage where they like to ‘chill out’, or are an only child. They will also always have more fun and spend longer outdoors if they are with other kids. Whether it’s siblings, the neighbour’s children, school friends, sports mates, or family friends arrange a few playdates, especially when its the school holidays. If you are heading to the park, team up with another parent, this way you can take it in turns to supervise the kids, this works well with your garden too. If your kids have some friends in the neighbourhood, you could come to an arrangement where you take it in turns to have them in the garden. 

Take The Dog For A Walk

Having a dog can be a great way to teach children responsibility. Part of that responsibility is about the ability to take care of another living thing. Dogs need to be walked every day, sometimes twice a day. Therefore if you have a dog, use your children love for their pet and the families responsibility to look after them to get them outside. Go for a walk together at least once a day, or get them to play chase and fetch in the back garden. Even rabbits and guinea pigs love to be outdoors, create a fenced area so they are safe and get your children outside to watch them play in the greenery and fresh air. 

Keep Track

Have you got a fitness tracker? What about your children? If this is something that they love to watch just like mom and dad, having their own could encourage them to get outside and gather more steps. Why not set them a challenge to hit a certain number of steps each day, they will get far more steps outside, so, tell them this. Ask them how many steps they’ve done, even turn it into a competition and compare it to yours. You may even find that they pester you to go for a walk so they can boost the numbers.  How about asking them to find out how many steps it takes them to walk around the block or to their friend’s house? 

Gear Up

It might be a good idea to invest in some outdoor toys. Kids need stimulation, and an incentive to get away from their screens. Whether it’s roller skates from Roller Skate Dad, a trampoline, a new bike, a few balls, or even a water or mud kitchen. You could even go old school and add in a pogo stick, a climbing frame with monkey bars, and hopscotch. These types of activities are fun, and children learn to recognise an element of risk which helps them to be more creative, resilient and confident. 

Create A Challenge 

Most people have an element of competitiveness in them, children even more so when it comes to having the opportunity to beat mom or dad. It may not be their style but if it is it can be a fantastic way to get them outdoors. It could be a race down the street or down the block, a game of tennis or badminton, a kick trying to get goals, ot even an obstacle course. Of course, you are likely to let them win most of the time, but it is good for them to learn about competition, winning and losing. You also don’t need to make it a competition, instead ask them to show you an outdoor activity they have tried at school or a club and get involved. 

Mix It Up And Take The Indoors Out

When the weather calls for it, you should try to spend as much time outdoors as you can. You can easily make the ordinary a little more special by mixing up the venue. Invite the kids to spend time outside eating tea, playing a family board game, or to complete their homework. They may even start to naturally spend some time outdoors, even if it just for five minutes to get away from the hustle and bustle of the family home. 

Teach Your Kids The Old Games 

Think about what your favourite sports and games were when you were a child. Did you play cat and mouse, kiss chase, flashing tag, build forts, bulldog, Curby, play baseball etc?  Maybe you used to cycle all the route in your local area, or play a mini team game with your neighbourhood friends, or explore the woods? Whatever you did, share the fun and memories. 

Create A Treasure Hunt 

What is more enticing than being asked to search for treasure? The children will soon be up and about, following the map. Why not set up a treasure hunt in your local area or just your back garden/house? This sort of activity is just like one the newest trend in the last few years, geocaching and Pokemon catching. If you don’t or can’t set up a treasure hunt at home you could always head out and out using one of these apps. 

These are all great ways to get your children to spend more time outdoors, do you have any other tips that you could share in the comments?