[…] learning about the benefits and importance of kids playing outside, I want to focus on creating more opportunities to inspire my children to do […]
Last Updated on November 25, 2023 by Natalie
At present day, I have a 4.5 year old and a 4.5 month old. In the last months of my pregnancy leading up until very recently, my older child spent more time than I’d like in front of the TV.
While there are other contributing factors (i.e. a whole new baby sister turning life on its head), my 4.5 year old son has been acting out more and a lot of his meltdowns happen about issues surrounding the TV.
I needed to focus on weaning my son from his TV addiction and getting him back to some good ole screen-free, brain-stimulating play.
Benefits of Outdoor Play
I have been learning about what kids need for their optimal development and play is essential. More specifically, outdoor play.
Kids are not meant to be sedentary for hours throughout the day. It’s not just for fun. Play is how kids learn. Aside from meeting that basic need, there are so many ways that playing outside benefits kids. To name a few:
- Improved mood. Less tantrums.
- Motor skills development
- Helps get energy out and get great rest
- Decreased hyperactivity
- Boosts immune system
- Helps with problem solving and decision making
- Promotes creative thinking
- Decreased risk of obesity
You had me at “improved mood.” Where do I start?
How Much Time Do Kids Need Outside?
In her book Balanced and Barefoot, Angela J. Hanscom, a pediatric occupational therapist, says every child needs a minimum of 3 hours outside per day.
Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside has her own adapted approach to this: 4 – 6 hours outside three to four hours a week.
My first, second and third thought is how in the holy, humid Miami heat?! If I can convince my 4 year old to be out there longer than 30 minutes, you’ll usually find me proposing we go back inside.
Dealing with Uncomfortable Weather
While listening to Linda Åkeson McGurk at the 2023 Raised Good Summit, she shared a quote, which is also partly the title of her book.
There’s no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing.
Linda shared that this perspective implies that if you’re using the right clothes, the weather can’t bother you. Basically, ski clothes in snow or rain boots and coats in wet weather.
I don’t agree that the perspective applies to very hot, humid weather. With the way things get where I live, you can go out naked, stay in the shade and still be uncomfortable unless you’re doing some sort of water activity. The hot air just envelopes you. In my case, I was wearing my newborn throughout the summer months and aside from the body heat it added, it wasn’t safe for my baby to be out in that heat. The risk of heatstrokes is real.
You can apply this theory as well and safely as possible by dressing everyone (of an appropriate age) in tank tops and shorts and taking indoor breaks frequently. To do this daily in places with hot weather is undoubtedly tough.
For Safety: Keep everyone hydrated and in shade as much as you can. Buy some portable fans.
What Gets My Child Outside for Longer
There are days my son spends a good amount of time playing outside. This is what keeps him entertained out there:
1. Riding around.
He loves to ride around with me or his dad.
2. Swing Set
My parents got him a swingset for his 2nd birthday and some weeks, like this one, he wants to be out there swinging everyday.
3. Outdoor Toys
Toys are kids’ tools for their job (playing). For example, there are certain activities that my son absolutely loves such as catching lizards. We bought him some tools to facilitate the fun. I’ve made a list of my son’s favorite toys that keep him entertained outside for plenty of time.
What activities entertain your little ones outside?
