An Easy Guide To Encouraging Your Kids To Get Out Of The House

If there’s one thing most parents would agree on these days, it’s that kids don’t spend enough time in the great outdoors. More and more things seem to want to keep them glued to the sofa and the many screens that we use each day. If you want to encourage health and wellbeing in your kids, then encouraging them to get out of the house could be the best thing to do. 

Below, you’ll find some simple advice you can use to encourage your kids to get out of the house. 

• Start As Early As You Can

It’s never too late to start encouraging your kids to spend more time outdoors, but you should try to start as early on as you can. The earlier you start getting them into these good habits, the better it will be for your household. It’ll become second nature to them so they won’t think twice about going outside, and you’ll barely need to suggest it to them to get them to do it. When they are babies and toddlers, try to spend as much time in the great outdoors with them as you can! 

• Give Them Screen Cut Off Times/Limits 

Screens are one of the main things keeping kids inside. We have phones, TVs, computers, tablets, e-readers, and more – and many are designed to be addictive, so you don’t feel like you can get away from them once you’re in the habit of using them. By giving your kids cut off times and limits, they will have to find other things to do with their time. Perhaps you could even have set times for using screens. Make sure they have a variety of things they can do away from screens, such as reading, crafts, and other fun things so that they don’t complain about being bored. 

• Buy Them Toys To Play With Outside

Buying your kids toys to play with outside will also encourage them to get out and have fun. You could even plan to rotate them to keep things exciting. You could give them skipping ropes, bubbles, chalk, skateboards, water guns, or even techy toys, such as a drone from DrDrone.ca. Rotating their toys can be very smart, as even if they have all the choice in the world, the things they have access to will quickly lose their appeal. 

• Make The Garden A Place They Want To Spend Time In

Create a garden that your kids actually want to spend time in. Make it a magical place full of little areas where they can play and learn. For example, you could create a rock garden, fairy garden, and even a little ‘den’ area where they can read and use their imaginations. 

• Create A Jar Filled With Ideas

Your kids might come to you for an idea from time to time, which is when a jar filled with ideas can really come in handy. Write out ideas on lollipop sticks and pick them out when they run out of ideas. You could even include chores, such as watering the plants. 

• Get Outside With Them

If they are reluctant to get out, get out there with them! There are probably lots of things you can find to do outside, whether it’s gardening or work from home. 

• Invite Their Friends Over

It’s so much easier to play outside with friends, so arrange playdates and make a habit of inviting them over when you can. 

• Give Them Their Own Garden Patch

Kids will love having their own patch of garden and the responsibility that comes with it can be valuable. You could grow tall sunflowers, delicious herbs, and tasty veg. 

• Help Them To Develop An Interest In Outdoor Games and Sports

Help your kids to develop an interest in outdoor games and sports. You could watch, or even take them to try out things like:

• Skiing
• Geocaching
• Birdwatching
• Ball games
• Watersports 

Let them decide what they’d like to try as an incentive. 

• Make them learn Skateboarding

Skateboarding gets kids outdoors and away from screens. A great way to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while having fun skateboarding. It’s an exciting and engaging activity that combines fun and physical activity. First, consider enrolling your child in skateboarding lessons or visiting a local skate park. Please be sure to wear appropriate safety equipment such as a helmet and pads to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Pick up a skateboard, hit the pavement, and let your kids discover the fun of skateboarding.

• Make It A Part Of Your Routine

Make this a part of your routine by getting them to go outside at the same time each day. You could even encourage them to do every day activities outside, such as homework, reading books, crafts, and more. 

Remember, your kids are far more likely to go along with whatever it is you’re doing. If you’re spending lots of time outside and looking for opportunities to get out there every day, they’ll do the same. You can tell them the benefits and try to encourage them with words as much as you want, but if you’re not practicing what you preach, it’s unlikely they will listen. Bear this in mind as you encourage them to spend more time in the great outdoors!