Children use much more technology in their daily lives than in the past. They also spend less time outdoors. Unfortunately, these are things that may not be healthy for your child. Taking children outdoors to play will not only help them stay healthier, but it has been recognized as a way to improve attention, creativity and problem-solving skills. Outdoor play also helps your child perform better in school! It will require some effort on your part, but given the reward, it's worth it!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create a Healthy Environment
Step 1. Turn off the technological appliances
Children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using electronic equipment such as a television, cell phone, computer and video games. The American Pediatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommends that children and adolescents use these tools for "no more than one or two hours a day."
- You can limit the use of technological appliances by establishing a specific "curfew", for example by requiring them to be turned off before going to sleep. Establishing times when children are allowed to use such tools, such as "video game time", will help set limits for appropriate use.
- Provide the child with a box or shelf to store their cell phone before going out. This will encourage him to be more conscientious about where and when to use it, and will also make it easier to make sure he makes the most of his time outdoors.
Step 2. Create rules for good media use
It is not necessary to throw away all the devices you have, but the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to create "monitor-free" areas at home, taking steps such as leaving the television off during meals and making sure that in the bedrooms. of children there are no computers, televisions or video games. If your children know that there may be other entertainment options besides the use of technological appliances, they will be more willing to take advantage of them.
Step 3. Create (or find) a child-friendly outdoor space
If you have a garden available, it may need to be rearranged a bit to allow your children to play and have fun. Remove overgrown bushes, any poisonous plants and keep the lawn mowed. Garden games, such as a swing and a sandpit, are ideal for spending several hours outdoors in joy.
There are other options if you live in an urban area or don't have a garden. Find a safe and pleasant playground or play area and make it a habit to bring your children there. You can also search the internet for recommendations from people in your community. There are also special search engines
Step 4. Get to know the neighbors
It has been shown that adults with a strong sense of belonging to the community spend much more time outdoors for recreation and exercise, which also passes on to their children. Parents who know their neighbors also feel safer to let their children play outside.
Making friends with neighbors can be especially helpful if you don't have a child-friendly play area in your home. In addition to the benefits of outdoor activity, allowing your children to go to their friends' homes encourages social development, helps them play as a team, and relieves stress
Method 2 of 4: Encourage Healthy Behaviors towards Outdoor Play
Step 1. Set a good example when you are outdoors
You may not have time to play with your children every day, but if your family is just starting to spend time outside, it will be helpful for your children to know that their parents are actively involved. Short walks, trips to the local park and "geocatching" are all family activities that help children understand that spending time outside is not only healthy, but fun too!
If you live in a safe neighborhood where you can walk freely, encourage the children (and yourself) to get some exercise by walking to places like the library or school
Step 2. Establish ground rules
The National Wildlife Federation recommends giving your children "one hour of air" per day: one hour per day of unstructured outdoor activity. Make it a part of your children's daily schedule. It may not be easy at first, but creating a habit of spending an hour every day outdoors will help them see it not as a punishment but as part of their usual routine.
- Try to be consistent. It may take your kids a while to get used to the idea of being without cell phones and video games for an hour or two, but try to be patient and consistent with them.
- Engage the children in conversations about what they did when they were out and what games they preferred. That way they'll know you're interested in their businesses (and it'll help make sure they haven't been idle and been safe!).
Step 3. Expect some resistance
Your children may initially not want to play outside, especially if it is something they have never done before. You may have to be steadfast to make "free time" a daily habit, particularly in the beginning. Make it clear that it is part of their daily activities and leave no room for complaints.
- If your kids are reluctant to go out, you might try to incentivize them with a swap - if they play an hour outside, they can buy some time for television or video games. The more time they spend playing outside, the more chances they have to find that they can really have fun!
- If the neighborhood is safe for walking or cycling, send the kids out on errands. Having a specific purpose to perform could help them spend time outside, giving them a feeling of satisfaction.
- Create challenges. Send your kids out by creating specific stimuli for them, such as a treasure hunt, survival game, relay race, or balance activity. These structured games will help them understand how to play outside. Adding a reward, such as media time or relieving them of housework, will make them even more motivated to be outside.
Step 4. Accept the clutter
If children play outside, they probably end up being sweaty and dirty, but they need to know it's not a problem. In fact, some studies suggest that being a little dirty boosts children's immune systems! Provide them with play clothes that can be soiled and show them how to clean up afterwards.
Step 5. Teach the children about outdoor activities
If the kids have spent more time playing on the PlayStation rather than playing the carousels in the playground, they may not know what alternatives are for having fun outside. Teaching them classic games, such as making daisy chains, skipping rope, building a snow fort, collecting fireflies, will help them consider the time spent outdoors as a chance to have different fun in each season..
- Many wildlife organizations have websites with a listing of activities. You can find a variety of fun ideas by doing some quick research.
- You may also look for local lessons to gain new knowledge at nature centers, museums, after-school projects, community centers, and others.
Method 3 of 4: Organize Fun Alternatives
Step 1. Host a campground in the garden
If you live in a rural or suburban area with a garden, plan a weekend camping trip! Invite the neighbors' children, pitch a tent in the garden, and organize fun activities such as singing, star gazing and storytelling.
The National Wildlife Federation sponsors a Great American Backyard Campout each year that includes public events. If you live in the US and don't have a garden, attending one of these events may be a good option
Step 2. Arrange the garden
Involve the children in gardening activities, such as planting bulbs and taking care of existing plants. There are many websites that suggest how to create a child-friendly garden. You can also indulge in fun projects, such as creating a redskin tent - just combine parts of climbing plants that children can use as a covered area for outdoor play.
If you don't have enough outdoor space, you can still create a green corner! Try to create a fairy garden, or set up a planter and plant herbs like rosemary and thyme, which grow easily (and which you can use in the kitchen!). If you have very little space available, you can use smaller pots
Step 3. Build a fort
You can make a redskin fort or tent out of climbing plants, or you can provide the children with the raw material to build their own fort. You will only need sheets, long branches and possibly some cardboard. Let the children unleash their imaginations to create a space to have fun in!
Step 4. Organize a treasure hunt in nature
There are many sites on the internet where you can find guidelines for a treasure hunt, or you can create your own. Taking part in a challenge will keep children engaged and give them a sense of satisfaction when the search is complete. It will work for both children who live in the city and those who live in the countryside or in the suburbs!
Step 5. Offer chores
If your kids enjoy collecting items, send them out with a bucket or basket to look for things to use in crafts. Seeds, pine cones, stones, flowers and leaves can be used for DIY fun and gift giving.
Step 6. Create a water park
During the summer, open the hose to water, set up a few buckets and toys to spray and the kids will go crazy with joy! Sprinkle soapy water on a waxed sheet and the kids will have a water slide for hours of fun.
Step 7. Buy a cheap camera
Give the children a cheap camera (analog or digital) and encourage them to explore the outdoors by photographing what they see. It will help them feel more involved and curious about their surroundings; There are several child-friendly cameras available on the market for under € 100.
Step 8. Provide toys that can be used outside
Games like skipping, soccer, basketball, and asphalt chalk are clearly not for the interior, but they can tempt even the most reluctant kids to stick their nose out of the house.
Step 9. Make household chores fun
Housework such as picking leaves or moving snow may not appeal to children right away, but teaching them to see them as rewarding activities - such as a mountain of leaves to jump on or being able to make a big snowman - will do them. it will encourage you to be active and responsible.
Method 4 of 4: Get Older Children Outside
Step 1. Give them more freedom
For example, if you live in an appropriate area, allow older children or teens to build a campfire (with adult supervision). Teach the safety rules and allow them to handle the situation Older children need to feel responsible and independent.
Check the eventual regulation of your municipality regarding the campfires
Step 2. Encourage responsible use of electronic equipment
Older children or teenagers can use their cell phone's GPS for outdoor activities like geocatching, which can be captivating for the need for independence.
Children or teens can also blog about their outdoor activities. Guys love selfies, so encourage them to photograph themselves doing great outdoor activities, or document their favorite outdoor adventures. Make sure you talk to the children about the conscious use of the media
Step 3. Get socially active
Older children or teenagers especially love spending time with friends. Offer to give them and friends a ride to the park, or encourage them to go for a run with a friend instead of sitting on the sofa.
Step 4. Provide outdoor equipment
Teenagers, both boys and girls, enjoy activities like basketball and bicycling. Basketball baskets are quite inexpensive and can be attached almost anywhere. Having the equipment on hand will push the kids to go outside.
Advice
- Avoid "good practice and bad scratching". It will be much easier for you to get your kids to play outside if they see you spending time outside too. Engage in outdoor family activities with the children, but also let them spend time alone.
- Encourage freedom. It is important that external activities are not structured. Give kids lots of fun and safe alternatives, but also let them explore and use their imaginations.
- Make them participate. Don't completely plan everything for your kids. Let them take the initiative to find ways to entertain themselves.
