5 Ways To Get Your Kids Outside This Year*

While the pandemic isn’t over, all restrictions have finally been lifted and now for the vast majority of us, it’s time to start embracing life again, especially if we have kids. For the last two years kids have been yoyo-ing between what they can and can’t do, and they also spent a lot of time being stuck indoors not really being “kids” especially not with other kids. But with Spring just around the corner, that will then roll into summer, it’s time to start thinking about ways to get your kids back outdoors for both life experience, and exercise to help them grow and stay healthy.

Some kids have developed self esteem issues when it comes to outdoor play, this is particularly the ones who were quite young when the pandemic started. They missed out on a lot of essential growth and now are reacting and behaving different to generations of children before hand. It’s not surprising though, is it? They spent so long indoors playing on technology they have almost forgotten what fun a day out can be! I know for a fact my daughter fell into this until last year. Last summer thanks to the Olympics she took up Skateboarding like Sky Brown and she’s never looked back. I think it’s important as parents we all find ways to help our kids back out there and here are some good ideas on how to do that;

Encourage a Sporting Hobby

As I mentioned above, last summer my then nine year old took up skateboarding and this is something I have been 100% behind since she first mentioned it. We shopped around for skateboards, selecting a perfect one for her to start with, along with protective gear then at the start of the summer holidays, she had her first go. It wasn’t as simple as she thought it would be, but she persevered all summer and well into the autumn. Skateboarding isn’t for every child though, but you could perhaps look at bike riding and or even a micro scooter. My daughter has and can use all three, but I’d say skateboarding is her hobby and what encourages her most to get out of the house on the weekend.

Make Your Walks Fun

If you like to take walks, make them fun! When I was a kid we walked everywhere and I hated it. Of course as an adult I still walk everywhere as we don’t have a car, but I don’t hate it the way I did as a child (and neither does my child actually). Looking back though, I wish my mum had made it fun but instead it was always a chore. If you want to get your kids out for a walk, perhaps looking at making a scavenger hunt? Or if your kids have a phone perhaps consider going on a Pokemon Hunt. Both my nephew and my daughter (she uses an ipod touch) love to do this and it fills and afternoon with exercise and fresh air!

Visit New Places

Remember during the height of pandemic where we were only allowed to visit certain areas close to our home? If you’re still visiting only those places now it could be that your children are.. dare I say it.. bored? Perhaps it’s time to visit some new places? It might be worth investing in a National Trust Membership? I know a lot of families got them last year to give them new places to explore outside in the fresh air and I’ve seen some rave reviews of some of the more popular places. A lot of them do kids activities during the school holidays too so you could make a whole day of it.

Meet Up With Friends

Arrange to meet the parents of your kids friends. For someone with anxiety, this is a big one. But after my daughter only having me for company for the best part of the last two years, I know her friendships are more important than ever. I’m afraid I’m not one of those mother’s who will just turf my kid out and let her disappear for hours with her friends (at least not yet, she’s only 10) but I will try and meet up with other mothers so she can have some hang time at say the local beach or park. Or even just a chance to ride their bikes together. And the younger the kids, the better this one works!

Join a Local Sports Team

If your kid is the sporting type (or even if they’re not, these types of teams can be great for character and friendship building) join them up to a local sporting team. A lot of towns and cities offer everything from football to cricket, to tennis, hockey or even rugby. While some are serious and compete with other areas, there are ones that are a lot of fun. And while you might be tied to the commitment of weekly meets, at least you’ll get a breather on the sidelines while someone else does the entertaining!