Many children today prefer to spend their free time indoors, attached to a screen, whether it’s a television, computer, tablet, smartphone, or portable gaming device. There seems to be less of a desire or need for children to go outside today. Young people are notoriously difficult to pry away from their electronic devices in favour of more “real world” activities like hanging out with friends or walking the family dog.
Yet it is not simply about getting your kids to enjoy a little sunshine or fresh air because you think it might benefit them; there are real, verifiable rewards children gain from spending time outdoors. Of course, telling a child they may have a lower risk for heart disease in 20 years doesn’t make it any easier to urge them to play outside. Yet, you can have a major impact on their health and happiness if you provide attractive environments and exciting activities that make kids want to go outside without being ordered to.
Motivate Them With a Reliable Transportation Device
In a world where a mostly sedentary lifestyle has completely any physical activity we might have had in the past, fun and safe scooters for kids can encourage them to get out of the house more and explore their natural surroundings. They can bring hours of fun, whether they use them for riding around the block, going to see their friends or simply practising their motor skills. Not only are they a surefire way to get kids outdoors, but also an excellent form of exercise that will keep them healthy and energised for longer.
Additionally, scooters for kids are a wonderful means for little ones to develop a sense of autonomy and learn how to navigate at their own pace. They have full control and freedom to travel from place to place, experiencing a sense of independence that comes with their newfound mobility.
Because the three-wheeled scooters come in both tiny and height-adjustable sizes, they are suitable for kids of varying heights. Switching between sizes is quite straightforward, with a quick and simple hydraulic adjustable option that helps the device keep up with a child’s growth. For parents, this means not having to buy a new scooter every year.
As for design, the creative limit knows no bounds. The dark blue hues that adorn most of the models for boys, as well as the pink ones for girls have grown pretty popular in recent years. They’re quite stylish and come with an array of features that can make any journey a true adventure.
Help Them Plant Their Own Garden
Getting children and teenagers engaged in gardening is a terrific way to get them outdoors and to educate them on where food comes from, how to care for living things and how to cultivate their own food. Depending on your space and tastes, you can assist them in developing either a fairy garden, a flowerbed, or a veggie garden. Grow simple items like tomatoes or wildflowers to get them interested at first. Helping kids produce their own Halloween pumpkins is a terrific way to get them interested in gardening if you have the room and are feeling a bit more ambitious.
Host Outdoor Parties and Play Dates
Believe it or not, at least 1 in every 10 kids would go outside more often if a friend encouraged them to do so. So, it may be beneficial to invite other children over for outdoor play dates and picnics in the hopes that this may inspire your children and the children they invite to begin spending more time outdoors.
In addition, having other children to play with and outdoor activities to take part in makes it much simpler to coax them into the fresh air. For instance, for their next birthday party organize an animal-themed kids’ birthday party outdoors where everyone can come in costume and be playful and free as they can be!
Arrange Some Time Outside for the Family
Outdoors is a great place to enjoy family movie evenings, game nights, or even just family dinners. Weekend meals can be picnics on the grass, more time can be spent grilling in the backyard, and movie nights can be held in an outdoor theatre put up on the patio.
You could, for instance, make it a habit to go for walks with the dog, plan a backyard camping trip as a family, show them how to do things you enjoyed doing when you were their age, take them out on bicycle rides, take them on short nature hikes where you can watch birds, etc.
Work Together on Outdoor Crafts and Activities
Plan a nature-based scavenger hunt, hide a prize in the sandbox and have the kids follow a map to it, show the kids how to collect flowers and dry them to use in crafts, or just move the craft session outside onto the patio. There’s no need to go out of your way to discover outdoor-themed crafts or activities, but it is a good idea to take advantage of the occasion to educate your children about environmental issues and inspire them to take care of their natural surroundings.
Plan Outdoor Reading Time for You and Them
Sending them outside to study while you are indoors answering emails might not be exactly helpful, but if you join them outdoors for reading time, it will normalise it for them and they will perceive it as an activity you also like. This alternative is fantastic because it promotes both reading and spending time in nature. Don’t forget that you may do this anywhere inside the house, not just in the backyard. While that might be most convenient, you can also freshen things up by spending reading time at different parks or beaches.
Create a Kid-Friendly Landscaping
If you want your kids to spend more time exploring in your backyard, you — of course — want to be certain that they will be as safe as possible. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of injuries like scraped knees or bee stings in the backyard, you can make it a safer place for children to play. Start your safety assessment and changes from the ground up.
For example, you might start with removing hazardous situations and work your way up to pruning low-hanging branches, etc. Whatever you do, and however can you take from this list and realize it, is sufficient enough to get them started on the right track to wellness and bonding within the family,
