In today’s world, kids spend more time indoors than ever. They might spend as few as 4 hours a week outside between school, after-school activities, and video games. This is concerning, considering that spending time in nature can positively affect mental and physical health. Playing outside with friends can also boost social skills in kids. The lack of outdoor time may also be contributing to the obesity epidemic among the youth of today. There are numerous ways you can get your child moving more and enjoying being outside. Many organisations and public figures have recognised the importance of getting kids outdoors and work to encourage this. In this post, we look at Encouraging Kids to be More Active Outdoors.
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Encouraging Kids to be More Active Outdoors
Try New Sports
Kids who participate in sports regularly whilst young are likelier to be active throughout their lives. If your child has a favourite sport, that’s great, but if they don’t, try encouraging them to try new sports they might enjoy. This will allow them to try something different while increasing their overall physical activity levels. There are many benefits to getting kids involved in sports, including improved physical health and mental well-being, improved social skills, and better academic performance. Sports that encourage play outside are especially beneficial. Outdoor sports allow kids to get their hands dirty while working up a sweat, which may make the experience more enjoyable. Try rock climbing, skateboarding, mountain biking, surfing, and many other sports that will get them outdoors.
It helps to make sure you have suitable clothing for the kids to be able to carry out these sports in, You can often find plenty of kids clothing on vinted at very reasonable prices.
Join Regular Classes or Clubs
When kids have a regular weekly class that they enjoy, especially when it is with friends it can really help to encourage them to do the activity. Football and netball are clubs that are often help at after school clubs and can be a great way to keep children moving rather than sitting at home in front of a screen. You can also look at other clubs that may not be at a school that they may enjoy such as martial arts and cheerleading. Once these classes become regular for them and they are invested then you’ll need to get the appropriate uniform for the martial arts style or the cheerleading uniform for the appropriate squad.
Walk to School
With the exception of certain extreme weather conditions, walking to school is generally a great way to get some activity into your child’s day. If your child is old enough, and it’s not too far, encourage them to walk to school instead of taking a car or bus. This will help to build a daily walking habit. Walking to school with your child is a great way to spend time with them while also getting some exercise yourself. We often practise our spellings when we walk to and from school.
If walking to school is not an option for your child, there are other ways to get more walking into their day; for example, you could park further away from the school and walk a short distance, or you can limit car trips for shorter distances and try to walk more on errands. Alternatively, commit to going for a family walk a few times a week.
Create an Outdoor Playspace
If you have the space in your backyard, consider turning a corner into an outdoor play space. A playspace doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can use the outdoor furniture, like a bench or a few chairs, and empty boxes to build forts and create climbing structures. Or, simply buy a kids climbing frame. I used to play outside with my brother on ours until it started to get dark throughout the year. Be sure to keep whatever you do safe, so your child doesn’t get hurt. A simple playspace will provide your child with a space where they can let loose and be as active as they want. This can also help to get your child away from screens and encourage them to be more social. Having an outdoor playspace can also encourage creativity and can provide hours of fun.
Ride Bikes or Use Outdoor Ride On Toys
Riding bikes is one of the best (and most fun) ways for kids to get exercise. There are a variety of ways you can encourage your child to ride their bike more often. You can set up a bike trail in your backyard or look for one in your local neighbourhood. You should find an area that allows biking so your child can ride with other kids. Riding bikes is a great way to get kids outside and exercising, but it’s not the only way to do so. There are many outdoor ride-on toys available. These toys are designed to help kids burn off energy whilst enjoying playing outside. This includes scooters, skateboards, and larger ride-on toys like go-karts and even replica cars and motorbikes like those on this website for younger kids.
Organise Nature Hunts
Nature hunts are a great way to get kids to explore and have fun and to incorporate more outdoor time in their lives. It can be as simple as going outside and collecting leaves and other items that change colour during the fall. You can also go on hikes, bird-watching, and collect rocks and other items from the area. Nature hunts are a great way to encourage your child to be creative and inquisitive while spending time outside and collecting items that can be used for art projects or other creative pursuits. This can also help your child learn more about their environment. The items they find can be used as tools to teach them about the flora and fauna in their area.
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Find Local Treasure Trails
You can join a local treasure hunt if your child loves exploring nature and finding treasures. Many cities have treasure trails set up for kids and families to enjoy. These treasure trails often use GPS technology and other clues to lead the participants to the end. They are a great way to get kids outside while making the experience fun and exciting. Treasure hunts are a great way to get kids interested in the outdoors while keeping them engaged. This can also help your child to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and a love of the outdoors.
Conclusion
Encouraging Kids to be More Active Outdoors doesn’t have to be difficult. As we have seen, there many ways you can encourage your child to spend more time outdoors and get more exercise whilst having fun. Good luck!!!
What would you suggest as a fun activity to parents Encouraging Kids to be More Active Outdoors?
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Good tips – I always think walking to school is a great start to the day!
Lots of great tips – I always think walking to school is a great way to start the day!
Couldn’t agree more. The only part of the body our kids exercise now is their thumbs
Children were all ways out in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s I was, fresh air is good for children to make them healthy and help with there mental health to much on social media games mobile phones these days keeps them indoors which is one reason why I think there is so much mental health sadly
All good advice including some activities that disabled children can do
I remember spending hours outside playing as a child as there wasn’t the children’s TV or electronic games to play on like there is today!
Bike rides are always a good way to get kids outside and getting fit and having fun
They sure are, the kids always love those!!!
My grandson loves to get wrapped up and go on a winter walk especially if it involves splashing in puddles.
Keeping kids active is extremely important for their overall health. This list has some great ideas to make that happen, plus they’ll have fun doing them!
It sure is and is a great way to reduce screen time too!!!
I love this! My daughter has always been one who loves to be outside since she’s all about nature and finding flowers and such. My son? Well, you kind of have to lure him out with food!
Ha, it does depend on the child how easy it’ll be.
Great tips!! Being outside is so important!! We tried hard to make sure our son enjoyed playing outside. I sure hope he does the same with our granddaughter!! 🙂
That’s great to hear. They can have a much fun playing outdoors.
Yes to all of this. My boys ride their bikes to school every day,
That’s great to hear. I bet they love to do it too!
I’ve seen my grandkids play outside more often, and these tips would help them stay active even more! Great!
As long as it’s not brutally cold outside, I try to make sure my kids get out. Fresh air and moving our bodies is so important!
Ha yes, although when it’s snowing it can be a good time as kids love playing in the snow.
Walking home from school is a great option if you live close by the school. But make sure the route is safe first.
Yes, it can be a great option. I walk with my son most days and it helps keep him active as otherwise he’d be doing very little.
Being active is so important. My family and I try to go on hikes on the weekends because we are usually tied to our laptops during the week with school.
That’s such a lovely idea. Family activities are always good when you can do them.
This is a really great and wonderful post! Making sure that our kids are doing outdoors activities is really important thanks to these awesome ideas!
Thanks so much Richelle. We do need to encourage an active lifestyle.
It is so important for kids to play outside when possible. Vitamin D from the sun, exercise, and just having fun without screens are all very important!
It sure is. The Vitamin D is very important as is time away from computers, tv’s etc.
I needed to hear all these recommendations. My nieces are coming for a visit, and they are very active. lol.
Ha, getting them outside doing activities will help tire them out.
Nature hunts are probably one of the most mentally engaging and exciting options for being active outdoors with your children!
They can be really good fun. Mine love them x
This is so important. I grew up in the 80’s and we plated outdoors all day long! Those were the days! Great to get them outside instead of on games and technology! Thank you for the reminder!
It sure is. Although it can depend on the weather.
Such great tips 👌🏻. My niece spends maximum times indoors. She hardly goes outside of her home, except for her school! I am glad my sister has got her a bike recently. I have always loved playing outdoors😍.
It’s good to hear she now has a bike. Maybe that will encourage her to go out more.
I encourage my kids to walk to and back from school. Especially when we have a good weather outside. I love to have family walks too!
Walking is great and a great way to get you moving.
My son was a soccer player when he was in school. He’s an adult now and the only time he goes outside is when he goes out with friends. 🙂
It can become a habit to stay in and have a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, It’s not the best for our health.
I’m always trying to get my kids to be more active. We’re quite lucky to be in London where they are so many things to do with kids and lots of the things are free too. We have lots of soft plays and kid friendly museums that so good with engaging kids
We like to get the kids out on a weekend if it’s out on bikes or just for a walk I think ots very important
Great things to do with kids here outdoors, it’s good for the soul.
Great idea to teach children about road safety too
We love going for long walks at the weekend, mostly on the moors. During the week its so hard to get them off their iPads and laptops after school especially when the weather isn’t great!
Bike rides are always a good way to get kids outside we love going as a family on sunday mornings
We always try to get our son out once a day for a walk but it can be hard.
I agree that children need to spend as much time as possible outdoors instead of watching tv and playing computer games.
Children definitely need to spend more time outdoors instead of watching tv and playing computer games.
You’ve nailed it with your suggestions so I can’t think of anything else. It’s really important to get children used to the outdoors, to walking and to inclement weather.
It is really important. We are now back at school so walking is happening much more thankfully.
A really great post, think walking rather than taking the car is great way to get exercise, always walk if the place I’m going is a reasonable distance.
We love playing outside with our children and don’t let the weather stop us either!
Great ideas for getting kids out and about, we love going on nature hunts
I think providing some wheels, bikes, scooters etc is the best way to encourage them outside!
Walking to school is a good way to up exercise and kids love riding their bikes anything to get them off their screens!
outdoor fun is healthy for children
a great post with good ideas. nature walks along with photography is a good way to keep interest.
There are some great tips here. Kids just dont get out and about as much these days its a shame
I know, it’s resulting in far more obese children unfortunately.