How To Get Your Kids Excited About The Outdoors

With many distractions available for children these days, their attention is always occupied. Unfortunately, most of these diversions revolve around being inside. With all of the benefits that your child can get from playing and spending time in the great outdoors, it is important to instill this passion in them from an early age.

Sometimes things as simple as a kid’s bike will intrigue your child enough to inspire them to explore the outdoors. However, if your children seem resistant to the idea of outdoor adventure or play, then there are some ways you can make the process seem a bit more exciting.

Let’s look at some specific ways that are sure to get your kids excited about the outdoors.

Do Not Freak Out About Dirt

Most children are adventurous when it comes down to it. If they start spending a little time outdoors, they will likely want to do more of it. Especially among smaller children, however, there is a tendency for these outdoor excursions to become messy affairs. You might turn your back on your kid for one second only to suddenly find them covered in mud or dirt.

It is important to accept this as a parent. Resist the urge to clean them off right away. Your child needs to know that it is okay to get dirty and messy when outside. This will foster a healthy attitude towards the outdoor environment and will not scare them from venturing and exploring new facets of it.

Go For A Nature Hike

If there are parks or natural preserves in your area, then make sure to take the time each week to explore these areas with your children. Showing them the diversity of the local plant life and maybe even some of the wildlife will fascinate and intrigue them. For an added bonus, try to mix up the terrain with some of your trips and venture out to different landscapes or climates on a family holiday. Exploring the desert landscape of the outback, the mountains, or the forest can be exciting for a child who has never experienced this before. Be sure to check out baby hiking gear to make sure you have everything you need for your big adventure!

Use Rewards With Common Sense

Sometimes, positive reinforcement is a good means of making your child interested in spending more time outdoors. By providing them with different forms of reward for joining you on outdoor adventures, they will become more interested in the idea. For example, you might bring along some chocolate bars for your next family hike. Besides being a tasty treat for your child, they might actually need it to complete the trek depending on how serious the hike is. You can also use intangible rewards by offering praise when they try something new outdoors or start to exercise some independence in planning outdoor activities.

Set Indoor Limits

While outdoor play should ideally not be perceived as a punishment for your child, it is important to establish the fact that too much time inside is not a good thing. Make sure to set some limits on the amount of time your kids can spend on their electronic devices or television. When their limit is expended and they are bored, you can suggest they go outside and make their own fun. While this will certainly not always work, if you are consistent you will find some success.

You can also enlist your children into structured outdoor sports if they show interest. Soccer, skiing, or even biking clubs are great ways for kids to experience the outdoors and make new friends.

Reap The Benefits

Your child will thank you one day for the effort you put into making them play outside. Follow some of the ideas outlined here to get started. With so many benefits of outdoor play, both mental and physical, it is a tragedy when children do not receive enough playtime outdoors.