Members of older generations have complained in recent years that children don’t play outside anymore. And they’re right, up to a point. Over the past generation, children have become more exposed to technology at earlier and earlier ages. Nowadays, unless parents stop them, kids will happily spend hours on their phones each day. That’s time they could spend outside, exploring the world around them.
However, it can be scary letting your kids run around outside. How do you know they’ll be safe when they’re out of your sight? In recent decades, we’ve listened to sensationalized news stories of kidnappings and other unusual events. The reality is that such occurrences are rare, while the damage done by too much screen time is all too common.
Outside play is good for your child’s body and mind, so you’ll want to get them off their devices and into the great outdoors. At the same time, you want to ensure their safety. Read on for four ways to encourage kids to play freely — and safely — outside.
1. Make Your Backyard a Fun Zone
If you have a backyard, you’ve got a leg up on encouraging safe outdoor play. A fence will keep strangers out and rolling balls in. You’ll have no cause to worry that an errant kickball play will send your child or playmate into traffic to retrieve their plaything. You’ll feel secure knowing your child is exactly where you expect them to be.
But in order for backyard play to appeal to your kid, you’ve got to make it a space worth visiting. Play structures with rope ladders, slides, swings, monkey bars, and other features will inspire no end of active play. All the climbing, leg-pumping, and hand-over-handing will not only tone your child’s muscles, but also improve their motor planning. A sandbox will provide tactile stimulation and foster hand-eye coordination and construction skills.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Let Them Go
As your child gets older, though, don’t be afraid of letting them roam beyond your yard. Allowing your child to explore your neighborhood will give them a healthy sense of independence and promote their decision-making capabilities. They get to decide whether to walk to the park or see whether Jaron can come out and play. They set their own agenda and direct their own steps.
If the latter prospect makes you nervous, you can keep tabs on your wandering offspring by equipping them with a smartwatch for kids. Its GPS tracking features will let you know where your child is at all times — and contact them if they get too far afield. Because such watches lack internet access, your child will pay attention to their surroundings rather than getting engrossed in the device. Your kiddo gains the benefits of a free-range childhood, while you have the comfort of knowing they can reach you if necessary.
3. Introduce Them to Your Childhood Pastimes
Back when outside play was the childhood norm, kiddie games got passed down through the generations, one sibling or friend to another. While today’s kids eagerly swap their favorite Mario Kart strategies, they may not know how to fly a kite or play Kick the Can. Do them a favor and teach them.
Describe different outdoor games and activities and introduce your child and their friends to the ones that spark their interest. They undoubtedly have tag and hide and seek down already, but those standards are a mere fraction of their possible playtime options. If you’ve forgotten the rules to Shark and Minnows or Steal the Bacon, don’t fret — the internet can remind you. (Hey, we never said technology is all bad.)
Once they’ve grasped the basics of the game, bow out gracefully. Your goal is to encourage free and independent play, not make yourself a fixture in their games. The next time your kids hear from you should be when you’re calling them in for supper or bedtime.
4. Send Them to Summer Camp
Maybe you work full-time, and you’re not at home to tell your tween or school-age child to “Go play outside already!” Rather than resigning yourself to your kid playing video games until you return, let someone else instigate the outdoor play. In this case, we’re talking about professional camp counselors.
Summer camps are a staple of many kids’ childhoods, and for good reason. From canoeing to hiking, swimming to s’mores-making, summer camps are all about getting kids to enjoy the great outdoors. The camp experience offers your child the opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, and breathe the fresh air. And for safety-conscious parents, the built-in supervision is ideal. You’ll know your child will be in good hands even as you hand them off.
Why Encourage Your Child to Play Outside?
Some of the suggestions above may seem like a tall order. You might even wonder why your child needs to play outside at all. They enjoy the screen time they get, right? So, why not leave them inside where you can see them?
Well, that may be better for your nerves, but not for your child’s development. Helping your child grow and become independent is part of parenting. Your child needs to learn about the world outside your house. Letting them play and explore outside is a great way to help them do so.
When they go outside, your child figures out how to navigate the world. They see new things and meet new people. While the latter may be part of your hesitation, there is a limit to “stranger danger.” If you’ve taught your child the personal safety basics, they likely have more to gain than fear from encountering the wider world. By embracing these four tips, you can enable your child to explore it safely.
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