Getting kids outside
Your One Step this week:
✓ Kick your child or teen outdoors for a few hours!
Did you know that our children spend 50% less time outdoors than we did as children? Childhood used to be spent primarily outdoors, yet we’ve migrated indoors in the digital age. We may have hit rock bottom: Now doctors prescribe time in nature and researchers indicate that spending a minimum of two hours in nature per week is fundamental for human health and wellbeing. Comedians even make fake drug ads for "Nature Rx."
Let’s send our kids back outdoors! Below find ways to make this happen.
Get inspired…
Watch this music parody from Let Grow - “Go Play Outside.”
We promise- you will smile.
…then get outside!
Do some prep work. Brainstorm with your kids/teens what supplies to gather or camaraderie to recruit for outdoor fun. Maybe team up with another family to double the fun. Get ideas from this list of 73 backyard activities for kids. No adults needed.
Consider an encouraging chart. Check out printable tracking charts that may nudge your child to begin the journey towards 1,000 hours outside!
Kick. Them. Out. Tell your child to “go outside” and clarify they aren’t allowed to come back in until 6pm. If you think your child is too young, read about how kids as young as age 2 used to play alone outdoors. Remove indoor options and device access. Do not budge - your clever kids can smell parental hesitation a mile away. Close the door behind them and be confident they will eventually figure things out.
Enjoy the quiet. That’s the sound of your glorious parenting. (Ignore calls from your neighbors complaining about all the noise in the yard.)
