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The Centers for Disease Control say that children between 8-10 spend an average of six hours a day in front of a screen, and kids 11-14 spend nine hours on average. If you’re over 50, you likely have fond memories of spending most summer days outside and are saddened to see many children not taking advantage of what the great outdoors and being away from the devices has to offer.
In this post, we have some tips to help you and the kiddos get away from your tablets, televisions, and phones and enjoy the beauty of the outside world.
Make Outdoor Time a Routine
People are busy, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in everything that needs to be done in a day, and suddenly, it’s time for bed. So, if you want the kids to spend more time enjoying outside, it’s crucial to incorporate outside play into your daily schedule. This could be as simple as a morning walk before school or an evening play session after dinner. Making outside play part of your daily schedule is an excellent way to get kids into the habit and understand that outdoor activities are essential.
Plan Family Outings
Plan family outings to parks, beaches, or nature reserves. These outings don’t have to be extravagant; in fact, simpler is usually better. Even visiting a local park can be an exciting adventure. Exploring new places keeps the experience exciting and introduces kids to different environments and wildlife.
Create a Backyard Playground
Transform your backyard into a fun area for kids to play. Like the family outings, it doesn’t have to be extravagant — a swing, a sandbox, or a garden where they can dig and plant can provide hours of fun without being glued to a screen.
Play Outdoor Sports and Games
Introduce your kids to outdoor sports and games. Soccer, basketball, hide-and-seek, or even tag are great ways to keep them active and having a blast. These activities encourage physical activity and can be great team-building endeavors.
Nature Walks and Hikes
Take the children on nature walks and hikes and point out different plants, animals, and insects along the way. This is a wonderful way to teach them about the environment. Carry a small backpack of snacks and water to keep them energized and hydrated.
Picnics and Outdoor Meals
Having a picnic is a delightful way to enjoy the outdoors. Pack a healthy lunch and head to a nearby park or even the backyard. Eating outside makes mealtime more enjoyable and gives kids a change of scenery. Letting your kids help prepare the picnic basket makes them feel more excited and involved.
Outdoor Arts and Crafts
Outdoor arts and crafts are another excellent idea, not only because they get the kids outdoors, but you don’t have to worry about making a mess of the house if they accidentally spill something. Painting, drawing, or making leaf rubbings can help children get inspired by nature. Collecting natural materials like leaves, sticks, and stones for art projects is another fun activity.
Create an Adventure Jar
What the heck is an adventure jar? Well, it’s a fun way to add spontaneity to your outdoor time. Write down different outdoor activities or places the kids would like to visit on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Let the kids pick an activity from the jar whenever you want to venture outside.
Limit Screen Time
Let’s be honest. It’s easy to let the kids scroll mindlessly on their devices when you have to get work done. A generation ago, the television placated the kids while parents took care of household duties. And while there’s nothing wrong with a little screen time, it’s wise as a parent to set limits on how much your kids can have.
Experts recommend that children under 2 have zero screen time, except for video calls with family. Children 2-5 should have at most one hour per day, and children 5-17 should have at most two hours unless it’s for homework.
Getting kids away from their devices is challenging, especially as they get older and more dependent on them, which is why you have to set boundaries with them as young as possible.
Garden Together
Gardening is a fantastic outdoor activity and teaches your kids about responsibility and nature. Start with easy-to-grow plants or vegetables. Kids love watching their plants grow and harvesting their produce. Gardening also teaches patience and care.
Enroll Your Child in Our Summer Camp 2024
Kids R’ Kids at Avalon Park is thrilled to announce our Galactic Quest Summer Camp. This camp showcases unique and fun weekly themes. We’ve created a variety of high-flying, mind-expanding, hands-on activities to stimulate minds and keep kids active.
However, space is limited, so enroll now! Call us at 407-306-9035 or reach us online.