Many kids are too busy with video games, TV, and computer screens to enjoy the outdoors. But there’s no need to feel guilty about it! With a little creativity and some patience, you can get your kids to play outside for hours on end. Here are seven ways you can motivate your kids to play outdoors:
1. Make the Backyard More Inviting by Adding a Sandbox, Swingset, or Trampoline
The backyard is a great place to play, and it can be even better with some simple additions that will keep your kids playing for hours. As gifts for outdoorsy kids, consider adding a sandbox or sandpit where they can spend the afternoon digging in the dirt. If you’re willing to put in a little work up-front, consider getting swingset installed. It’s a lot of fun, and it will be perfect for your kids to hang out on all summer long. A trampoline is another great way to get your kids excited about the backyard. After they’ve bounced back-and-forth a few times, you can bet that they won’t want to go inside!
2. Have Your Kids Help you Create an Outdoor Play Area for Them to Have Fun In
Kids love to be included in the design process, especially regarding their personal space. Get your kids excited about building a play area by letting them develop ideas for what they want. You can even have them help you pick out the needed materials – just make sure that it’s safe! Your backyard is going to be so much fun after you’ve built a new swing set, created a sandpit to play in, or added some other kid-friendly feature.
3. Play Outside Together – Explore New Areas and Go on Adventures Together
One of the best things you can do is to play outside together. Encourage your kids to get off their devices and enjoy nature with some outdoor family activities like hiking, biking, or fishing. You might be surprised at how quickly they start wanting to go outside more often when there’s a new adventure waiting for them!
It doesn’t have to be strenuous or intense – just getting outside, exploring, and having fun together is enough to motivate your kids.
4. Create Games that are Played Outdoors like Freeze Tag or Hopscotch
Even simple games can motivate your kids to go outside, especially because they are designed for the outdoors. Freeze tag is a classic example of an outdoor game that you might remember playing as a kid – it’s just fun! There are also lots of new games being invented that work perfectly in the backyard or at the park. If you’re creative, you can come up with all kinds of fun games to play outside.
If your kids are fans of board games like Monopoly or Risk, why not create an outdoor version? This is a great way for everyone to enjoy the game while getting some fresh air at the same time!
5. Let your Kids Know They Can Always Come to You for Ideas of What to do Outside
Kids love to feel like they know what’s going on. If your kids are already comfortable with the outdoors, encourage them to develop their ideas of fun things that can be done outside. It doesn’t have to cost anything – just getting out and enjoying fresh air and sunshine is a great way for everyone involved!
If you’ve been encouraging your kids to go outside for a while, they’ll probably come up with some great ideas that you would never have thought of. You can then share these ideas with other parents who are having trouble getting their children off the couch!
6. Encourage Their Creativity Through Use of Art Supplies and Other Materials Outdoors
Encourage your kids to get creative by allowing them the space and materials needed to do so. If you have a nearby park or another natural area, bring some art supplies like sidewalk chalk for everyone to enjoy! Art is not just an activity that can be done indoors – it’s perfect for painting on rocks and creating all kinds of interesting designs.
Creativity is a great outlet for kids, and it’s also a good way to motivate them to go outside. Allowing your children to use art as an excuse to head outdoors can be beneficial even if they’re too young for traditional forms of art like painting or clay modeling.
7. Encourage Them to Explore Nature by Taking Them on a Walk in the Park
A great way for your kids to get outside and enjoy nature is through walks at nearby parks or natural areas. This can be an especially wonderful experience during fall when all of the leaves are changing colors or during spring when everything is coming back to life after winter. You can even take your kids to a farm where they can see all of the animals!
Taking walks in nature is not only fun, but it’s also educational for young children. You might be surprised by how much information your child starts absorbing simply from being outside and enjoying some fresh air. If you have older kids who love science or biology, this might be a great way for them to learn more about the world around them!
The next time your child complains about staying inside, use these seven tips to help them get outside and enjoy the fresh air. They’ll be so happy you did!