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Spending time outdoors as a family is great for your mind, body and soul. Fresh air is known to have lots of health benefits, such as improving your immune system thanks to increased oxygen intake.
I’m no scientist, but on an anecdotal note, I like the family getting fresh air because it seems to wear my kids out much more than if they’d stayed indoors. My main aim as a parent is to get the kids to bed at an appropriate time and ensure they get a good night’s sleep. I’m not blessed with children who normally sleep well, but if we’ve spent time outdoors, I know we’re in for a sound night.
Besides sleeping well, there are tonnes more reasons to encourage outdoor play. The trick is, to get them interested in the first place. Below are some fun ways to help your children fall in love with the outdoors.
Things to do outdoors with kids
If you want your children to love playing outdoors, then you need to plan activities that will make them think fondly of time outside. In the summer it’s much easier to get them away from their screens and out in the sunshine, but you need a few year-round activities up your sleeve.
Take them out on their bikes
Learning to ride a bike is a fun and essential part of childhood. It fosters a sense of adventure, and gives them a means of transport for when they’re older and want to go out with their friends.
Family bike rides are fun way to get your troupe outdoors and ready to explore. If you’re able to find any country cycle routes nearby, you can create a seasonal scavenger hunt, depending on what time of year it is. Creating checklists like spotting cows, or collecting fallen leaves help give the bike ride an extra purpose and give your children something to focus on.
Outdoor play equipment
If you have a garden, investing in some outdoor play equipment can be priceless. Sometimes my children can spend nearly a full day outside playing, swinging and climbing. It means you don’t have to go far from home and spend money on fuel or snacks. It’s handy always being near a toilet and if anyone falls in a muddy puddle, a change of clothes is never far away!
I’ve found our outdoor play equipment to be a source of entertainment, all year round. In the winter I just bundle the children up in lots of layers and encourage them to run, climb and generally blow off some steam. Then I’ll usually coax them in with a warm hot chocolate.
Go on a nature walk
Even if you live in a city with very few green areas, you will still find nature is all around. You can find printable nature checklists on Pinterest, or make your own depending on the season and where you live. Things to include on your list can be types of trees, species of birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, even just the colour of flowers if you have a younger child. In very built-up areas you can set the tasks of spotting interesting cloud shapes, or a certain number of people walking their dogs.
Take a bag with you and collect some of the the items on your checklist, such as brown leaves, a clean bird’s feather or a pine cone.