It’s 60 degrees today in Rockford, and my sheets are hanging out on the line. I’ve started the first batch of seeds and I’m itching to get outside and start raking out the gardens! I’ve got Spring Fever. My teenagers, on the other hand, are content staying cozy inside with the remote and the game controller.
Argh!
I know I’m not the only parent who gets frustrated with our twenty-first century technology infringing on our children’s sense of adventure. A mom asked me just the other day how to get her son to go outside and play. So here are some thoughts…
Being outside has many benefits for kids. They learn problem-solving skills (how to build the fort they want to make out of a tree, some rope and some pine boughs), they get exercise, they get exposure to Vitamin D from the sun which helps the body maintain healthy bones and teeth, and they build their immune system (exposure to dirt and germs help the body build antibodies). The puzzle is figuring out how to get them interested.
If there are children in the neighborhood that your child likes, try inviting them over to play. Tell them to spend at least half the time outside. You might create an “Outside Play” box with some simple tools (hammer, nails, rope, magnifying glass, binoculars, net, headlamps, garden gloves) or create an obstacle course or treasure hunt to get the kids exploring the backyard and surrounding areas. Have your child help design the course or hunt ahead of time so he can take some ownership of it and get excited about being outside. Sports toys are always a good option (football, soccer ball, Frisbee, badminton, croquet, baseball and gloves) and can be accommodated to few or many players.
Another idea for getting your child outside is to investigate clubs in your area: 4-H, boy/girl scouts, park district, boys and girls club and county parks. They often have programs that teach about nature and get kids interested in what they can find outside.
You may find that he is more interested in going outside with you. Take up some outdoor hobbies and include him. Plant a garden, go for a bike ride together, build a tree house, put up a hammock and create an outdoor reading oasis. Then you can enjoy the outdoors, reading your favorite book or magazine while he explores with you nearby. At first you will probably have to push him out the door, but soon enough he will be looking forward to it. The best way to get him to trust your advice on getting outside is to set the example. If he sees you are willing to follow your own advice, he is more likely to follow suit.
When all else fails, assign outdoor jobs: raking, picking up garbage that’s blown into the yard, pulling old weeds and dead flower debris from last season, etc. Whether they choose to go outside, or you push them out the door, get them outside. It’s good for them!