How To Encourage Your Kid To Participate In Outdoor Activities?
The modern generation has lost touch with outdoor activities. Today’s kids have a very sedentary lifestyle that involves many hours spent on video games, computers, laptops and Play Stations.
Most children today only enjoy indoor games, and they do not have enough exposure to the world outside. Technology has changed the way we perceive physical activity, and this is negatively impacting the health of children in the long term.
Many parents are busy and do not have enough time to spend with their kids, and they prefer an easy way out and indulge in video games and play stations. Often the most overlooked aspect is increasing outdoor sports.
Here is how parents can encourage kids to participate in outdoor activities.
Motivate Your Children but Don’t Force Them
One way of increasing outdoor activities in kids is by giving them adequate motivation. It would help if you did not forget that forcing your child is not an easy way out.
We know it can be not easy to motivate your child to go outside for playing. You can set a good example where you can take them with you for a few minutes and gradually increase their interest in playing outdoor games.
Parents must find out some personal time either on weekends on your or your days off. To get your child to participate in outdoor games, you can gather the neighbourhood kids and organise small games so that your child can take an interest in these games and learn the correct techniques to play them. Please remind your child they don’t have to be an expert in this game but should have enough physical activity to fit in mentally, socially and physically.
Set a good example by playing with them every few days and encouraging them to learn the same. Teach them traditional games so that they know the importance of moving and learning essential skills.
Organise an Outdoor Play Date
A fun way of getting your children to play outside is by organising an outdoor play date. You can gather a group of parents in your neighbourhood to get their children. You can then set up game equipment like Climbing Walls, hurdles etc. This will bring people together and also create good social groups for friends. It’s necessary for creating a great support system, and your children will love interacting with other kids.
It will be a fun way of involving children and for meeting new people. This will also encourage them to play team games and enjoy the adrenaline’s thrill that playing these games brings.
Get Sports Gear and Playing Equipment
A great way to motivate your child to play outdoors is to get them sports gear and playing equipment. Take them shopping with you and show them different sports equipment like balls, bats and playing mats.
Allow them to get something of their choice. When they see sports equipment that they are interested in, they may want to try that sport. This can help them be interested in the export and start playing it.
Create an Outdoor Area Outside your House or Apartment Building
A great way to encourage your kids to play outdoors is to create an outdoor play area. For this, you will need to work on designating a small space where you can set up a playing mat, puzzles, climbing walls etc. For older kids, you can go for AstroTurf and small goal baskets.
This is an affordable and accessible way to ensure your kids enjoy playing outdoors. It will also encourage them to cut down on screen time and spend more time outdoors basking in the natural beauty of nature. You can also invite their friends for a lovely summer party and set up tables for lemonade and fruits for them to enjoy.