People of all ages can benefit from spending time outdoors. For kids specifically, time outdoors can help them increase their strength, physical fitness, motor skills, and so much more. While many kids jump at the chance to be outside without any prompting, other children are a little more difficult to convince. If your children seem to want to stay indoors all the time, here are a few tips to help change their tune.
Start Small
Some kids avoid the outdoors because they’re afraid of the unknown. They may not like the idea of getting dirty or the fact that bugs and wild animals are found outdoors. To help get them started in a controlled environment, you can do less-intensive outdoor activities such as visiting a farm or taking a trip to the zoo. As they build an appreciation for the outdoors, you can begin exposing them to more naturalistic environments.
Take Part in Outdoor Activities
In some cases, children might be hesitant to go outdoors because they’re afraid it will be boring. With so many distractions inside, it’s hard to blame them. If you can get them involved in some outdoor activities, though, such as hunting and fishing, and equip them with the right gear, you can show them that the outdoors isn’t boring at all.
Experience Nature’s Finest
If you live in an area where there’s not much outdoor beauty to behold, your child might not see much point in leaving their comfortable indoor environment. However, if you make an effort to allow them to experience nature’s finest beauty, they will be much more likely to fall in love with the outdoors. Whether you head to a city park or take a vacation to one of the National Parks, there is so much beauty to be found beyond your own backyard.
Get Them Involved with Other People
In a world that craves connection, your child might be concerned about the solitude that’s often found outdoors. However, being outside doesn’t mean you have to be alone. By getting them involved in a camp or outdoor club, they can make new friends while they experience all that nature has to offer. This will provide them with many crucial skills that they’ll need as they grow.
Start with Yourself
By and large, a child’s level of appreciation for the outdoors comes from their parents. Therefore, if you realize that you don’t spend enough time outside, then it’s time to set an example for your child to get them to love the outdoors more as well. Even if it’s something as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood, your child will follow your lead once they notice you partaking in outdoor experiences more often.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. For more information, contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan
1 Comment
My kids spent most of their weekends on caravan sites. A lovely safe location in Wales. They all learnt to ride their bikes and swim on caravan sites, and my boy learnt to fish. A great article with some lovely ideas.