Today kids are usually glued to the television screen or stuck indoors most of the time and don’t get a chance to play outside very often. I know that I am guilty of this and I do try to urge my kids to play outside in the backyard during the evenings. In fact, children should get at least an hour of physical activity each day according to the CDC. Depending on your child’s school, they may or may not get in the minimum requirement for physical activity. If your kids aren’t getting enough physical activity, you should try to get them to increase their activity and get them to take a break from their normal daily routine.
6 Benefits of Getting Your Children Outside to Play
Taking the kids to the park not only gets them out of the house but it is a great place for them to enjoy nature while having fun. Your children also need to be exposed to different and challenging environments. It is not only great for their physical health but it also helps their mental development too.
- Research shows that kids who play outside on a regular basis are healthier, fitter, and have a better self image.
- Kids who spend time outdoors get enough Vitamin D, which is vital for healthy bone development. You child can’t get enough Vitamin D from their diet or by using supplements. They need to spend time outside so that can absorb the Vitamin D from the sunshine.
- Kids need to be outdoors and take a break from electronics. In fact, playing outdoors will help improve their vision. They have to use their long distance vision to see things far away and gives them a chance to take their eyes off the screen.
- Playing outdoors makes them use their critical thinking skills, improve their coordination, learn new agility skills (ie a balance beam or moving bridge at the park), and help work on their balancing skills.
- Playing helps reduces their stress level, aggression, frustration, and helps them release their pent of energy. If you have a high energy child that is driving you crazy, take them to the park and let them burn off their excessive energy. It will help calm your child down. In fact, letting them play outside can help a child who has been diagnosed with Attention Defict Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) to restore their concentration and attention levels.
- A child who enjoys playing outside tends to be happier and enjoys life.
Comments
21 responses to “10 Family Friendly Activities to Play at the Park”
One of my niece’s favorites is to play frisbee at the park! This is a great list. Thanks for sharing!
Frisbee is so much fun when you don’t have to worry about it flying over the fence in the backyard. Thank you for visiting.
While I’m usually at work during the weekdays, I make sure that I spend at least once a week to take my children out to play and enjoy the sun. I try to keep them away from the electronics – those can wait for when they get older. Thanks for sharing this list! I feel much better as a mom.
Thank you for sharing. It is hard to get to the park when you are working. Maybe the kids can even find some games to play in the backyard too.
This is great information! I try to make sure my children play outside at least once a day, we are lucky that even our garage is enjoyable when it rains that we can just sit and watch the rain.. We love to have picnics at the park and play afterwards!
I wish that we had a third garage so that the kids had a place to play even if it rains. We have a small cover patio but it doesn’t block the side ways rain. In fact, I used to love to run and stomp in the puddles after a nice big rain or ride my bike through the puddles to make it splash me. So much fun. Those were the days. 🙂
Love, love, love this post. Thank you so much for pointing out all the benefits of outdoor play and for providing parents with ideas to get their families outside! Technology has made it so easy for us to entertain ourselves by sitting on the couch or at a computer that we don’t get the fresh air and exercise as easily as we did 20 years ago. This post is a wonderful reminder and incentive to get up and get outside.
Thank you for the kind words Corinne but you are right kids are usually stuck in front of the television or their electronic devices. I try to encourage my kids to play outside as much as they can because it is good for them. 😉
I agree, kids need to play outdoors more! Playing outside is a lot more fun than just watching the telly or tinkering with gadgets. 🙂
You are correct, thank you for visiting. 😉
Hopscotch! We also take bikes and scooters to enjoy park trails. Volleyball is fun, too. Or even chasing bubbles. 🙂
Hopscotch is a great game, you can even play it in the backyard if you have a sidewalk or big enough porch. Thank you for visiting Karen.
When I was a kid, I liked to make a picnic with my family! I still like it! I do it sometimes with my friends. I love your post! 😉
I haven’t had a picnic at the park in a really long time. We might have to do that soon too. 🙂
we are at the park daily when the weather permits!
Awesome Pamela, I bet your kids enjoy playing.
LOts of great ideas! I need to remember these for our upcoming park dates!
I hope you enjoy your upcoming park dates. I need to take my kids to the splash pad too. 😉
Great information. Kids need to get out more often. I live next to a playground and it is so great to see the kids out playing but often it is empty, waiting for kids to come out.
Those are great tips. My daughter loves going to the park.
[…] They get to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while burning off some energy. Try some of these ideas next time you head to the park. My boy always end up tossing the football every time they go to the […]