8 Ways to Get Your Kids to Play Outside
By Shondell Varcianna
October 17, 2014
Lifestyle
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When I was a kid, my mom had a tough time keeping me indoor. Nowadays with all these TV shows, the internet, tablets and other electronic devices, some kids no longer want to go outside to do outdoor activities.
If you are having a difficult time getting your kids to go outside and play, here are some ideas to get them outdoors:
1. Turn your backyard or lawn into a playground
If you live in a house, turn your backyard or lawn into a playground. Put a swing, slide, see-saw, hammock and other things that your children can play with.
2. Build a tree-house in your backyard
I don’t know any kids that don’t like tree-houses. Some kids will spend hours playing in it. If you live in a house, build one in the backyard or wherever there is a tree. Make sure it is high enough to be exciting (but not too high) and has enough space inside it for at least two children at a time.
3. Take the kids canoeing, kayaking and/or fishing
If there is a river, lake or sea close by, take them canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Give them their own fishing gear and teach them how to fish. This can be a great bonding time with your kids.
4. Take the kids to the park as often as you can
Whenever you have free time and the weather is nice, take your kids to the park and encourage them to play with the other kids. Let them run around and explore the natural features, such as trees, ponds and hills on their own.
5. Set up a tent in your backyard
Once in a while, when the weather is cool, put up a tent in your backyard for the kids to play in. Get them involved in setting up the tent and tell them that it is their home away from home. Encourage them to spend some time in the tent.
6. Teach the kids to feed the birds
Kids find birds, animals and insects fascinating. Get some bird feeders and put them in the garden. Let the children fill the bird feeders with food and water. Watch the birds with them and ask them to identify the birds.
7. Pay them to mow the lawn or rake the leaves
Give your kids a chance to earn pocket money by mowing the lawn, raking the leaves or doing other outdoor jobs. Even kids who are too lazy to get up from the sofa won't want to miss the opportunity to make some extra cash.
8. Play with the kids outside
Finally, kids love it when their parents play games with them. So, whenever you are free, play basketball, badminton, tennis, soccer or any other outdoor game with them.
Picture by Sea kayak
If you are having a difficult time getting your kids to go outside and play, here are some ideas to get them outdoors:
1. Turn your backyard or lawn into a playground
If you live in a house, turn your backyard or lawn into a playground. Put a swing, slide, see-saw, hammock and other things that your children can play with.
2. Build a tree-house in your backyard
I don’t know any kids that don’t like tree-houses. Some kids will spend hours playing in it. If you live in a house, build one in the backyard or wherever there is a tree. Make sure it is high enough to be exciting (but not too high) and has enough space inside it for at least two children at a time.
3. Take the kids canoeing, kayaking and/or fishing
If there is a river, lake or sea close by, take them canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Give them their own fishing gear and teach them how to fish. This can be a great bonding time with your kids.
4. Take the kids to the park as often as you can
Whenever you have free time and the weather is nice, take your kids to the park and encourage them to play with the other kids. Let them run around and explore the natural features, such as trees, ponds and hills on their own.
5. Set up a tent in your backyard
Once in a while, when the weather is cool, put up a tent in your backyard for the kids to play in. Get them involved in setting up the tent and tell them that it is their home away from home. Encourage them to spend some time in the tent.
6. Teach the kids to feed the birds
Kids find birds, animals and insects fascinating. Get some bird feeders and put them in the garden. Let the children fill the bird feeders with food and water. Watch the birds with them and ask them to identify the birds.
7. Pay them to mow the lawn or rake the leaves
Give your kids a chance to earn pocket money by mowing the lawn, raking the leaves or doing other outdoor jobs. Even kids who are too lazy to get up from the sofa won't want to miss the opportunity to make some extra cash.
8. Play with the kids outside
Finally, kids love it when their parents play games with them. So, whenever you are free, play basketball, badminton, tennis, soccer or any other outdoor game with them.
Picture by Sea kayak