Getting Your Kids To Play Outside

If you think back to the days when you were growing up, you likely have fond memories of playing outdoors until your parents forced you to come in. In the fall, you played outdoors in the leaves; in the winter, you enjoyed the snow; in the spring and summer, you enjoyed the long days that allowed you to play whatever your imagination came up with! These times spent outdoors may have been shared with your siblings, or perhaps you shared them with other kids who lived in your neighborhood. And all the way until dark, you would play sports or play make believe with these siblings and friends.

Nowadays, however, it seems like many kids never set foot outdoors except to wait for the school bus in the mornings. The rest of the time when they are not in school, they are watching television or playing video games or playing around on a computer. While all these things are fine in moderation, it is also important for children to play outside; this will increase their health, will strengthen their mind, and will cut down on the prevalence of childhood obesity. If your goal is to encourage your own children to begin to play outside, here are a few things you can try doing.

One of the things that is important for you to recognize is the fact that most children do not want to be "told" what to do; do not "force" your children to play outside, as they will then be less likely to enjoy it. What you should do instead is create opportunities for your children to "discover" the joys of playing outdoors. There are a couple ways by which this can be effectively accomplished: 1) Put a limit on how much "media time" they are allowed each day; 2) Take some time to play outside with them!

As you limit the amount of time they are allowed to spend with video games, television, and computer each day, they will begin to naturally fill their extra time with time outdoors! And if you go outside and play with your children a few times, it will further draw them out of the house and help them get started.

There are some children who will take to the outdoors quite naturally and automatically; but even if this is not the case with your children, do not despair - as you follow these tips, your children will begin to play outside more and more.