Last Updated on May 17, 2020 by Natalie
I have a confession. I don’t always love going outside.
Encouraging a child to go outside in all weather builds resilience, but more importantly, it saves them from spending their life merely tolerating the ‘bad’ days in favor of a handful of ‘good’ ones – a life of endless expectations and conditions where happiness hinges on sunshine.” – Nicolette Sowder
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Get Kids Playing Outdoors More
However, I do absolutely love the idea of being outside all day. Of course, that is weather dependent. It’s also bug dependent. When I envision being outside all day, it is modeled on lovely curated photos filled with beautiful people who aren’t sweaty, too hot, too cold, too wet, or being bothered by mosquitoes.
A lot of the time, perfect weather isn’t the reality. Life will not always have perfect weather.
Disclaimer
Outdoor play will look different in different seasons.
Indoor living is easy
Much of the world has perfected indoor living. Homes and other buildings are usually temperature controlled. Those of us in colder climates “put up” with the cold, huddled up in our warm homes. With air conditioning, we endure the heat and humidity of summer.
I’m a reluctant outdoorsy mom. I want to embrace the weather. That means I want to spend more time outdoors with my kids and in all different types of weather.
Currently, we are living in central Mexico, in the mountains. The weather is nearly perfect ALL THE TIME. I still don’t always want to get outside. I’m comfortable indoors. My couch is soft. I like to do my work on my computer, even though my phone is strong enough that I can do quite a bit of work on it. Or, I’m tired. There are many times when my kids don’t want to go outside.
When we need outside time the most
When none of us want to go outside is when we need outdoor time the most. I make myself get up off that couch. During those times, it takes some doing to convince my strong-minded children to get dressed/socks/shoes and whatever they need. Often, I tell them we only have to go outside for fifteen minutes. I set my phone’s stopwatch.
If anyone asks to go home before the time is up, I tell them how much time is left. More often than not, they forget about the time when they start to play. They explore the world around them. Or they jump on the trampoline or climb the jungle gym in our park. Sometimes, they climb the trees or play basketball. I want them to do whatever suits them in the moment. It is their playtime and not mine – though I will join in sometimes. I do spend a lot of time on the sidelines watching, because I don’t always want to influence how they play. Or I’m tired, as parents are sometimes!
Being outdoors more is important for kids and their parents
More and more studies are coming out about how important having green space around us, especially during childhood, is for our mental health and well being. American adults only spend around 7% of their life outside, according to this article. Scheduled sports activities are great for physical movement, but they are not the same as being outside to explore and just be.
Tips for getting children playing outdoors more
Select the best outdoor gear for the weather you experience in your climate
It’s easy to get outside when the weather is beautiful, as it often is in the late spring and early fall. In wet weather or cold winters, it is essential to have the correct gear for the weather in question. Wet weather requires rain coats and rain boots. If it’s chilly, layers or a lined rain coat is great!
Cold and snowy weather requires coats designed for the temperatures you are experiencing. In Ohio, where I am from, our winter weather is usually between 10° and 32° degrees F (-12° to 0° C). It does get much colder, but those really cold temperatures usually last one month or less. Our winter coats would keep us warm and cozy in the temperatures that we commonly see.
There’s a saying that says there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. So gear up appropriately!
Use sunscreen, hats, and bug spray as needed
In Ohio, we worried about ticks, especially in the spring months. If we wanted to play in the grass, we’d wear long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and then check thoroughly (twice!) for ticks after being outside.
Additionally, we wear hats, sunscreen, and use bug spray if the mosquitoes were out. Though, the mosquitoes don’t like hot weather and full sun, so we did have time in the day to be outside without bug spray. Our area was wooded, so we did have a lot of mosquitoes. Where we live now is a neighborhood and it is sprayed often during the summer.
One reason I’m for using bug sprays now is because I live in an area where Dengue fever is common. Dengue is a horrible virus that is spread by mosquitoes and it can cause some long term complications.
Another option is to buy mosquito jackets.
Go outside when the weather is bad
Make it a habit to get outside, even when the weather sucks. Embrace the mud, rain, and snow, along with those perfect sunny days. We even embraced the wind as much as possible, though we were always careful when there were cold or negative wind chill warnings.
My kids love to be outside in the rain. Putting on a rain coat, rain boots, and puddle jumping is one of their favorite activities. They also enjoy mud.
I hate cleaning, but I love to indulge messy play.
As always, stay inside if there are bad weather warnings, such as tornadoes, blizzards, or excessive heat. Use your best judgement to keep you and your family safe.
Mud is always fun. Even when it’s in the water and sand table.
Do something fun for the kids
Recently, I made an impromptu Popcorn Picnic in the Park for the kids. They didn’t want to go, until eating popcorn outside came up! We ended up staying an hour. They ate a little and played a lot. Other ideas:
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- draw or read outside
- ride a bike, scooter, or other wheeled device
- play with a ball
- have a picnic
- play in mud or a sandbox
- play with kinetic sand outside
- plant a garden with your kids
- build with sticks, stones, and other natural items
- make art with natural items
- play with a water table
Check out more messy play ideas and let your imagination run wild!
Popcorning it in the park!
It doesn’t have to be difficult
It doesn’t have to be difficult, structured, or even have any goal to accomplish. Your kids don’t have to run everywhere, climb a tree, cross the monkey bars without stopping. Let them just be. Make it low stress for both of you.
Together, let’s get our kids playing outside more often and every single day!
How much time do you spend outdoors? Is it more or less than you want it to be? What are your favorite things to do outside? How do you get your children playing outdoors more?
2 comments
I like the idea of the outdoors but find myself not wanting to do it much. I had already been thinking about how to make sure my son got outdoors to play. I love your advice. I don’t know if it gets easier or harder to get your kids out the door when they get older and can walk. I find it very difficult with my infant because lugging the car seat around is annoying. But yesterday I did make the effort. Set the 15 minute timer and went outside. We touched a leaf and a tulip. Stared at the neighborhood black cat. Waved at cars. The 15 min passed quickly and both mom and son seemed to have a good time.
With a non walking baby, consider using a carrier or sling. Even babies who don’t like it in the house may change their mind when walking around outside. I sometimes got two kids outside during the frigid winter months while wearing both. It also ensured they stayed plenty warm, if the weather was *really* cold. When mine were toddlers, I dressed them in layers, hats, boots, and put them in carriers (one on front and one on the back) for going outside. I’d wrap a blanket around all of us and spend between 5-10 minutes outside (according to the weather conditions) and that was often enough to change everyone’s perspective on life that day!
Another option for decent weather would be a stroller. Consider what is easiest for you, especially when you’re a bit reluctant, like I am!