So many good things happen when kids go outside and play. Not only are they naturally more active, but they develop a greater sense of independence, they come into contact with nature which sparks their imaginations, and they develop social skills as they interact with other children in both structured and unstructured play settings. And it's good for adults too! Recent studies point to the mental and physical benefits of being active outdoors and having regular contact with nature. Try it and you'll feel better all around.
Helpful Healthy Habits
MIX IN SOME OUTSIDE
The seasons will influence your ability to do this, but as you set goals to eat healthier, play every day and get together more often, perhaps you could work towards these those goals while going outside. Doing so will give you the added benefits of the outdoors. You'll be able to feel the difference.
Tips for Building this Healthy Habit
Eat Outside
When the seasons cooperate, try having some of your weekly family meals outside. Pack a lunch, grab a blanket and go to a local park, barbecue some chicken and corn on the cob in the backyard, or just take what you’ve prepared in the kitchen and step out to the family picnic table. Shifting the meal setting outside will add variety, inspire different family conversations and might even provide the spark to try some new healthy foods.
Play Outside
Unless you are lying in a hammock, going outside is going to increase the amount of activity you are getting. Whether you are gardening, trimming the bushes, going for a hike or walking around the field with a friend at the kids’ sports practice, going outside to play is the healthy choice. Relaxing together in that family hammock once in awhile isn’t a bad idea either.
Get Together Outside
Spending quality time with your family exploring a local park, coastline or forest is a great way to introduce your kids to the natural world and get everyone more active. As you look for and discover the strange and unfamiliar, you’ll have new things to discuss, mysteries to solve and adventures to share.
PROTECT THE RIGHT TO PLAY
More children than ever are involved in scheduled, structured activities. School, sports and the arts call out for their time and attention. Children also benefit greatly from unstructured play. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, free play helps children grow and develop toward important intellectual, emotional and social milestones along their journey toward healthy teen and adult years. As parents, what better way to connect and spend quality time with your family, and where better to do it than outside?
Tips for Building this Healthy Habit
Visit Parks and Playgrounds
What wonderful environments for unstructured outdoor play! They provide opportunities for children to test out their abilities as they climb, slide, swing and hang. Parks are also good environments for parents to watch but not hover as children interact with one another in a safe setting. Having the opportunity to explore, problem solve and resolve the occasional conflict will help your child develop a healthy sense of independence. Balance independent exploratory time with your own efforts to be active with your child.
LINK - FIND A NATIONAL PARK OR TRAIL NEAR YOU Opens a new window
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Unfortunately, because of traffic or violence, some neighborhoods are simply not safe. In other circumstances, parents may perceive that their neighborhood is unsafe. Oftentimes this is because they do not know their neighbors. The very act of going out with your kids increases the chance of bumping into a neighbor and making a new family friend. You may find that once you have established relationships with the other adults around your home, you might become more willing to shoo the kids outside to play, and that will benefit everyone in the long run.
INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO NATURE
A growing body of research is pointing to the fact that time spent in contact with nature is good for everyone, but that it is particularly important to the healthy development of children. Nature engages all of the senses, helps children develop curiosity and creativity, reduces stress and fosters a sense of wonder and a desire to explore and learn. Children who spend time in nature are also more likely to develop a lifelong sense of connection to and concern for the environment.
Tips for Building this Healthy Habit
Walk Outside and Look Around
Nature is all around you, even if you live in an urban environment. From grass to trees, birds to insects, gardens to abandoned lots, cities are full of living things. Exploring with your children provides you with a bonding opportunity disguised as a new adventure.
ACTIVITY – NATURE QUEST (.PDF) Opens a new window
Discover pockets of nature even in urban environments and use this checklist different things you might find!
Explore and Learn Together
Bring an illustrated nature guidebook with you the next time you visit a forest, field, stream or pond. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with what plants and animals to be cautious about. Then encourage your children to poke around with you to see what you can find. Try sitting still. What do you see? What do you hear? Smell? Carefully turn over that log or rock. Use your field guide to identify trees, plants, animals and insects that you see and find. Show your children how to safely turn their curiosity into learning.
TOOL - 10 THINGS TO BRING WHEN EXPLORING NATURE (.PDF) Opens a new window
Here are some things that you should consider bringing with you whenever you take your kids into the great outdoors to explore.
Grow Something
A great way to introduce kids to nature is to grow something with them. Herbs like mint, oregano or basil are particularly easy to plant and grow, and they provide opportunities to children to interact with the plant using their senses of sight, smell, touch and taste. If you have the space, consider planting a small vegetable garden or flowerbed. Your kids will learn important lessons as they take responsibility for other living things.
