In the age of the internet, it’s proving more difficult than ever for parents to motivate their kids to take some timeout from their tech and gadgets and experience the great outdoors. Obviously, not only does this mean they are missing out on a world of fun and adventure, but they are also losing out on physical exercise.
Thankfully, there are a wide variety of tactics you as a parent can employ to motivate them out of their slump and into a world of outside adventure. By doing this, you are encouraging physical exercise and instilling healthy habits that will remain with them for a lifetime, helping to secure a happy, balanced, long life.
Here are some of the best activities that encourage kids and families to spend more time outside.
Family Biking
Bike riding offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy outdoor adventures together in their local area. The learning process can also be a great bonding experience for parent and child and once that initial hurdle has been overcome, you can gradually increase the distance of each consecutive journey and teach valuable bike safety tips.
With each adventure kids will get to build their confidence and get to know their local area in more detail. You can easily commit your family to go on bike rides each weekend and even stop using the car for short trips to the library, grocery store or park. This will help ensure the whole family is dedicated to a more balanced lifestyle, which includes physical activity and adventuring outdoors.
Nature Trails
Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and so love exploring and learning about nature, animals and insects. Of course, the internet offers valuable resources where kids and parents can learn about literally everything, yet nothing beats the hands on experience of exploring the natural world in the flesh.
Nature trails offer families the opportunity to explore their local ecosystems and have a great day out. You can easily explore local woodlands, grasslands and rivers and hunt for bugs, particular plants and animals and learn some fun biology and science concepts sure to inspire a love of the natural world.
Visit Local Landmarks
This is a great one since it’s usually free and helps kids learn about the local history and geography. You can even make a day of it and pack a picnic as well as arts and crafts equipment so that they can get creative and draw what they have come to visit.
Common landmarks in the states include lakes, hills, public artwork and national parks. Local museums and art galleries are also a great place to explore, especially the ones with gardens and large grounds to explore. However, these aren’t always free, so make sure you check online before you decide to journey there.
Gardening
Child labour may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but getting your kid to help you in the garden can be a great way for them to get exercise and learning. Of course, you should not allow them to do anything too strenuous and they should always be supervised, but leaf picking, planting flowers and seeds and general maintenance are all great garden activities for kids.
If you have the space, you can even invest in an outdoor hobby that will greatly encourage them to get outside more often. Vegetable patches are a great way for kids to learn about where food comes from, the growing process and taking responsibility. If you don’t have a garden, you could always look for local community gardens and allotments.
Outdoor Toys
Another great tactic to get kids outside and enjoying the fresh air are outdoor toys that provide kids with an engaging activity that actively encourage kids to go outside and explore. For instance, bounce houses and backyard pools are affordable and provide kids with fun and physical activity from the comfort of their own homes.
There are also more adventurous toys that kids can ride around the neighbourhood with friends and siblings including electric scooters, go karts and even dirt bikes. Of course, the one most appropriate for your child will depend on their age, but still, for many toys offer the incentive sometimes needed to encourage kids to play outside with friends and family.
Camping
Weekend camping trips and vacations offer the opportunity for kids and families to bond and explore nature while completely separating themselves from the distractions of the modern world. If you have small kids you can easily visit a local camp site or even set up a tent in the garden. This will get kids used to the concept and get them used to living in a different way without relying on modem amenities and technology.
When you feel they are ready to take the next step, you can organize an authentic camping trip in appropriate location. This will allow kids to experience nature in the true sense, maybe even learn survival skills and explore never before seen wild life and environments. Adventures like this are sure to instil an appreciation of nature and help kids understand its value, which is essential in a world governed by technology and sedentary lifestyles.
Wrap Up
These are just some of the ways you can encourage your kids to re-connect with the great outdoors and appreciate all that it has to offer. Not only does getting kids outside mean they benefit from the physical exercise, but it also inspires them to learn more about the natural world and enriches the learning process. With limited time due to busy schedules and constant directions of the modern world, it’s easier said than done, but by committing a portion of time each week, you and your kids are sure to benefit from the experiences you’ll share as a family.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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