Kids these days spend an average of seven hours a day looking at screens like phones, televisions, tablets, and more. Since it’s generally more entertaining to watch a show or interact with friends on a screen, more and more children are becoming sedentary early in their lives.
Gross motor development is essential to the overall growth and health of children. Where is the best place for kids to run, jump, climb, and test new motor skills? Outside, of course!
Why Should Kids Play Outside?
Stir-crazy kids run and shout through the house, climb and jump off the furniture, and try crazy tricks. While some families might have a basement or playroom where kids can cut loose, in general, parents still expect kids to not play rough in the house.
While inside, kids resort to generally sedentary indoor activities, like video games, tablet or phone time, television, LEGOs, reading, or playing games.
But kids aren’t meant to be sedentary! One of the best ways kids grow and develop is through vigorous gross motor play–the kind that can only happen outdoors. Playing outside:
- Improves motor skills
- Improves coordination
- Lowers body mass
- Promotes general health
- Improves muscle strength
- Boosts the immune system
- Improves their mood
- Uses all their senses for better brain development
But My Kid Will Be Cold!
Many adults can hardly stand to be outside in the winter because they get cold very easily. When adults do go outside, they bundle up and blast the heat in the car.
But have you ever noticed that many kids wear shorts in the winter? Or while playing outside, many kids shed their coats, hats, and mittens? While it’s true that one reason for this is vigorous play raises their body temperature, there is actually another reason kids are more tolerant of cold.
According to The Guardian,
“Babies and very young children do have an alternate store of heat. This is called brown fat, which diminishes over time when skeletal muscles take over the bulk of the heat generation. This brown fat sits in areas across the body and simply converts energy into heat, which can’t be created through movement at these earlier stages of life.”
While you should still dress your child appropriately for outdoor weather and pay attention to frigid temperatures, don’t let moderately cold weather deter you from encouraging your child to play outside. And don’t be surprised if they shed their outdoor gear after a few minutes!
How Can I Get My Kid to Go Outside?
Understandably, it’s much more comfortable to sit on the couch and play video games. So of course, it can be hard to get kids to be outside in the winter. But that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t encourage (or even require) some outdoor activity every day! Here are some ways you can help motivate your child to play outdoors.
Play Outside With Them
Children follow what their parents model. “Do as I say and not as I do” can be frustrating for children. But when parents join their children in getting healthy, they are inspired and motivated to be healthy, too.
Plus, there are dozens of health benefits to being outside in cold weather. Just a few of them are:
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved brain function
- Improved sleep
- Better emotional health
- Burns greater calories to maintain body temperature
- Improved immune system
- Stronger heart
Who wouldn’t want these health benefits? It’s worth carving time out of your day!
Provide Outdoor Toys
Especially in the winter, it’s hard to “just find something to do” outside. But you can get your kids excited about playing outdoors by providing toys and other objects to make their outdoor time an adventure.
Some open-ended toys that allow for multiple uses and creativity include:
- Balls of various sizes
- A playhouse or slide
- Bubbles
- Sand toys like buckets, shovels, and dump trucks for snow
- A build-a-snowman kit like this one
You don’t have to invest lots of money in new toys. Oftentimes, young children are content with things like empty and washed plastic food or beverage containers and plastic utensils to play “Restaurant.” Fill old spray bottles with water and food coloring to make artwork on the snow. Or, do an Easter egg hunt!
Give a Warm Treat Afterwards
A cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider after playing outside is a big motivator for many kids. Reward their willingness to play outside (especially if it’s cold, windy, or cloudy) with a warm treat.
What If I Don’t Have a Yard?
If you live in an apartment or house without a yard, getting your kids outside can be more of a challenge. But still, you can take a walk around the neighborhood, play in the parking lot of your apartment complex, or go to the park. Don’t let your child (and yourself!) miss out on the many health benefits of playing outside in the winter!