Studies have consistently revealed that spending time outside holds copious benefits for our children. Experts believe that kids who get outside more often experience improvements in their mental health as well as, perhaps more surprisingly, in their communication and social skills. Fresh air is also always beneficial from a general health perspective.
For all of these reasons and more, you’re probably keen to get outside with youngsters in tow as soon as the weather improves. And so you should. But did you know that you can also enhance the benefits of time outdoors by choosing the right out-of-house activities?
Keep on reading to find out about just a few of the best activities for helping to enhance those outdoor benefits.
Activity 1: Get Gardening
Encouraging your children to do their own gardening is one of the best ways to make the most of any time they spend outdoors. This activity is also unique, in that it provides an ongoing reason for kids to keep on heading outside all summer long.
Of course, you will want to take care of the big tasks, like mowing the lawn and keeping things clear with a weed eater before your kids get outside. However, that still leaves plenty of tasks for your kids to enjoy, such as running a rake across your flowerbeds or, best of all, planting seeds that then fall under their care.
Gardening like this is great for everything from the development of fine motor skills to the ability to work as part of a team. Encouraging children to grow their own food can also bring additional lessons about where food comes from, and the amount of work required before it reaches their plates.
Activity 2: Go On a Bug Hunt
We’re going on a bug hunt, we’re going to catch a big one, and we’re probably set to learn a fair amount, too.
Bug hunts are great, engaging activities that encourage kids to fully interact with the wildlife around them. Even better, there are plenty of free printable bug hunt checklists available to download online.
The best thing about this activity is that it’s likely to take a fair amount of time to find all of the bugs needed. You could also either work on this as a team, or in pairs if there are four or more members of your family.
Bug hunts also serve perfectly for further activities and learning, which include the creation of a bug hotel to become a home that encourages any bugs you didn’t find this first time.
Activity 3: Build a Den
If you live in a wooded area or have materials that you don’t mind using from inside, then building a den can be a great way to teach kids about everything from creativity to the most effective use of available resources.
If you’re building a wood-based den, look for a forked tree that will make a great foundation, and encourage your kids to forage for a variety of materials including large logs, bendy bracken, and leaves for coverage. You could make a full-sized den with older kids, who will then spend hours playing here, or a mini den with a younger child, which is quick to complete and ideal for dolls and teddies to sit in.
What about if you don’t have any wood supplies to hand? Simply bring something structurally sturdy, like four dining room chairs, outside and tie a corner of a sheet to each one. Then, lay a blanket on the floor, and enjoy the great outdoors from a comfortable den.
Activity 4: Create an Obstacle Course
As modern parents, we hear a lot about how spending time outdoors can help with our children’s mental health, but getting outside is also great for encouraging kids to get moving. Never is that more the case than when you get stuck into creating an obstacle course with your youngsters.
Backyard obstacle courses are great because they encourage the same creative constructions as dens, but utilize things you already have at home to create a fun, and ultimately, exercise-based outdoor activity.
You can use all sorts of supplies to bring a backyard obstacle course to life, including hula hoops, cushions, or chairs from inside your home. Ideally, you want a course that encourages your kids to move in a variety of ways, including crawling, running, and jumping, as these will all be a huge help for their coordination and strength.
Adding fun and unexpected elements, like water or the need to solve a puzzle before they can move on, is especially great for this activity as it adds an element of educational fun the whole family will love.
Activity 5: Set Up a Picnic
What happens if you don’t have time to engage in a lengthy bug hunt or set up an elaborate obstacle course across your outdoor space? There are also far quicker options for getting outside, including simply setting up a picnic on your lawn.
Kids love the chance to enjoy a picky lunch on a picnic blanket, and this has the benefit of encouraging them outdoors even if they’re reluctant. Make this an even more educational experience by offering a few new foods. Incorporating fresh fruit and veg is an especially great way to start conversations outside.
To ensure everyone gets the most out of this experience, set a few picnic ground rules, like the need to leave phones inside. Even if your kids can’t wait to get back inside at first, bringing up interesting nature-based conversations could see them exploring for at least a little while after your picnic ends.
If you do this picnic-style dining at least once a week during the summer months, you can fit in a fair amount of outside time with this activity alone.
Are You Keen to Get Outside This Summer?
If you’re keen to get outside with the kids this summer, then these activities could be exactly what you need. Do you already have a few go-to outdoor family activities? Let us know about them in the comments down below!
