Spending time outdoors is highly beneficial for people of all ages, specifically the younger population. It’s an important aspect of growing up and every child should spend a considerable amount of time playing outside. Whether they spend time in the backyard, at the park or on the front lawn, there is so much fun to be had with core memories being made that stay with those children forever. There are also many benefits to be experienced, from a child’s growth and development to improving their physical health and wellbeing. 

Why it’s so Important

Of course, it’s natural to worry about your child playing outdoors, in case they hurt themselves but there is so much for them to gain from this experience. Yes, they may fall or scrape their knee from time to time but this allows them to learn from their mistakes and bounce back. You’re putting your child at more risk if you prohibit them from playing outside, stunting their growth and restricting their potential in the process. Encourage them to take risks but ensure they do so in a safe environment.

Additionally, there are numerous health, developmental, emotional and intellectual benefits they stand to gain, including:

• Enhanced imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills
• Increased muscle strength and immune system, and an improved mood
• Improved social skills, forming peer-to-peer relationships
• Progress in coordination, balance and gross motor skills
• Sense of independence, self-reliance and self-esteem

Support children to experience the outside world for all these benefits which will lessen the amount of time they spend on electronic devices and help their overall development in the formative years of their life.

Outdoor Activities

Children have quite the imagination, whether it’s something they dreamed about or an idea they just came up with. Encourage them to use their imagination to create new and innovative games to play. If you want to steer your child to an outdoor activity that will work towards their development, there are multiple activities that can have a positive impact on them.

Scavenger Hunts

A scavenger hunt is the perfect outdoor activity that leans on multiple different skills and techniques. It requires children to use both observational and problem-solving skills to reach the completion of the hunt. This is also a highly versatile task that can be done in any setting, anytime and anywhere. A scavenger hunt can also be a collaborative effort with friends and family that promotes teamwork, improving their language and communication skills.

Construction Play

Whether it’s building with Lego, making a fort or creating an obstacle course, construction play is a highly beneficial activity for young children to experience. Using different-sized shapes will help children to use cognitive thinking to solve problems. This also leans towards being creative and using the imagination to complete the desired structure. Construction play, like a scavenger hunt, is a versatile activity, whether done solo or with friends and is a great way for children to develop while having fun.

Games with friends

Playing games and sports with friends is a great way to enhance a child’s development. From all the social benefits to making memories and friends, they give children a chance to interact with like-aged and like-minded individuals. These activities are also an effective way to improve your child’s health and overall well-being by exercising and having fun. 

There are many more activities that children can experience and the important thing is that they spend time outdoors, learning and playing with friends, developing important life skills while having a great time. Although it’s not reading books and doing homework, this aspect of learning is just as important. Ensure that your children are encouraged to take part in outdoor activities so they can reap all the benefits that will set them up perfectly for their development in the coming years.