For parents, modern technology has been both boon and bane. On the one hand, it has opened up various avenues for learning and communication. Technology also helps with your peace of mind, with home security systems and apps that you can use to monitor activities and keep in touch. On the other hand, technology also presents challenges like suspicious or malicious content and screen addiction. In relation, there’s a continuous struggle of getting children to go outside and explore.
Many children nowadays are growing up and creating their childhood memories indoors. This is, of course, less than ideal. Playing outside and experiencing nature are important components of well-rounded development. So how do you motivate your indoor-loving, screen-attached children to play outdoors? These tips might help.
Make the Outdoors Interesting
If you live in a suburban neighbourhood, there’s probably very few things that could lure your child outdoors. (Unless they’re interested in architecture and buildings.) It’s up to you to make things more appealing. Set up a playground using kids climbing frames, slides, and mazes to encourage physical activity. You can also recycle old tyres or pool noodles to create an obstacle course. Assemble a tent and create a mini fire pit so you can go “camping.” A DIY sandbox is also a good idea. You can even join in the fun if you make it big enough! If your child is the competitive sort, challenge them to simple games like a bike race or a water gun fight. A good tip is to remember your own childhood and use your own experiences as inspiration.
Enlist the Help of Neighbours
Perhaps the only reason your child is hesitant to go outside is because they don’t have someone to play with. As a parent, you may be willing to be a play partner but may not be available all the time. Call your neighbours and organize play dates at the park or at the above-mentioned backyard playground you’ve just set-up. This way, you and a fellow parent can take turns supervising the young ones. Your child’s siblings (if you have other children), school friends, and sports teammates could also be enthusiastic participants.
Don’t Hover Too Much
It’s normal to feel protective of your children. However, it might be doing them more harm than good if you go overboard with the hovering. They might not even see the point of playing outside if you’re going to forbid them from doing something “dangerous.” Try and make things as safe as you can, like putting climbing cleats to a tree, but also trust your child and let them make their own mistakes. Doing some risky activities can help make your child more creative, tough, and confident in their own skills.
Motivate Your Kids with Rewards
Playing sports is rewarding enough for kids. Sports help them become more patient, friendly, and well-rounded, not to mention, healthy and fit. These perks may not be that evident, so your goal, for now, is to give them tangible rewards for playing and participating in sports.
You can promise them an ice-cream date or take them to their favourite pizza place after practice. Consider buying new sports equipment or a video game for added motivation. More importantly, hand out personalized gifts and trophies to celebrate their wins and accomplishments.
Involve Your Pets
Does your child have a beloved pet? Maybe they’re the ticket to get your child to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Dogs and cats can be excellent outdoor playmates, playing chase or fetch with colorful balls and other toys. You can also fence off a section of your yard and let your child play with rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. What’s good about playing with pets is that both the animal and your children can get their dose of physical activity.
Use Tech Outside
Don’t look at technology as an enemy, rather treat it as helpful tools. Digital devices and gadgets can be your partners in trying to get your child to play outdoors. For example, you can use fitness trackers as a reward mechanism or as a mechanic for games. Ask them to figure out the number of steps it takes it to get to their friend’s house or challenge them to get a certain number of steps for a day. You can also use smartphone cameras for a photo hunt. Draw up a list of things or places and tell them to take a photo of each. You can then print these photos and use them for scrapbooking–which you can also do outside, while enjoying a snack and refreshing drinks!
As the years go by, the challenges facing parents as you try to raise and rear your children also change. Just remember that spending time indoors is also as important as going outside to explore and play. What’s more, each child is different and there’s no one correct way of parenting. The most important thing is to spend time with your children to find out exactly what they need. You may not immediately find that perfect balance between technology and nature, between being protective and encouraging independence, but you’ll get there. Pretty soon, you’ll be wondering what made your worry in the first place!
Disclosure: collaborative post
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