Kids playing Hula Hoop Tic-Tac-Toe at Joe Brown Park in New Orleans
In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to encourage our children to play outside and connect with nature. Outdoor play offers numerous benefits for children, including improved physical health, increased creativity and imagination, and reduced stress and anxiety. However, getting kids to play outside can be a challenge, especially when they're used to spending their free time indoors. As a parent, there are several things that you can do to encourage your kids to go play outside and to have fun doing it.
10 tips to get your kids to play outside
1. Lead by example
Children are great imitators, so it's important to set a good example by spending time outside yourself. Take a walk in the park, garden, or enjoy a picnic with your family. Seeing you enjoy the outdoors will encourage your children to follow suit.
2. Create a nature-friendly yard
If you have a backyard, turn it into a nature-friendly space that your kids will love. Plant some trees, flowers, or vegetable gardens. Put up a birdhouse or a bird feeder. Make sure there's plenty of space for outdoor play and provide some simple toys, such as a ball or a frisbee.
3. Visit a park
Visiting a park is a great way to get your kids outside and exploring. Look for a park with a playground, hiking trails, or a picnic area. Bring along a ball or a frisbee and have a family game. In the New Orleans area, we are lucky to have several fantastic parks and green spaces to explore.
Here are a few of our favorite parks, playgrounds, and green spaces in the area:
4. Set a routine
Make outdoor play a part of your children's daily routine. Set aside a specific time each day for outdoor play, such as right after school or before dinner. Make sure that your children know that this is an important part of their day.
5. Make it fun
Outdoor play should be fun and engaging for your children. Encourage them to explore nature, build a fort, or play a game of tag. Bring along some toys, such as buckets and shovels, or a kite.
6. Join a nature club
Look for a nature club in your area that offers outdoor activities for children. This is a great way for your children to meet new friends, learn about nature, and have fun. At LOOP NOLA, we have an Outdoor Adventure Club for local public high school students. Contact us for more information.
7. Plan a nature scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun way to get your kids excited about nature. Create a list of items for them to find, such as a flower, a bug, or a certain type of leaf. You can even make it a competition by splitting your children into teams.
8. Try a new outdoor activity
Introduce your children to a new outdoor activity, such as fishing, hiking, or camping. This will provide them with a new and exciting experience and get them even more excited about spending time outside.
9. Limit screen time
Limiting screen time is essential to getting your kids to play outside. Set limits on the amount of time your children can spend on their devices and encourage them to spend more time outdoors instead.
10. Make it a family event
Finally, make outdoor play a family event. Encourage everyone in your family to spend time outside together, whether it's going for a walk, playing a game of catch, or having a picnic. Spending time together in nature will help to create lasting memories for your family.
Getting your kids to play outside can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort. By following any of these 10 tips, you can encourage your children to enjoy all that nature has to offer and create lasting memories that they'll treasure for years to come.
