Its too cold, wet and windy to get the kids into the outdoors in the winter, right? Wrong! Playing outside is a blast, no doubt about it, but don’t discount outdoor adventures as frivolous fun. Kids reap lots of benefits from time outside.
There are so many great reasons to get them out, even in the winter months and no, it’s not just so you can get stuff done, but there are a lot of other “real” benefits for your children when they play outside.
Here are our top 5 reasons:
- Healthier kids. Active play outdoors helps reduce weight gain. Plus, being outside gives kids a Vitamin D boost (if we’re lucky enough to see the sun!), which helps protect against bone problems, heart disease and diabetes.
- Improves motor skills. Outside, kids are less restrained by space and can run, jump, skip and balance, testing the limits of gravity and their bodies’ abilities.
- Respect for nature. Spending time outdoors, kids will connect with nature in a personal way. They’ll see the impact of littering and understand see how one person can influence the environment — positively or negatively. Once they love nature, they’ll want to protect it, too.
- Promotes problem solving. Children who play outside learn how to solve real life problems better than children who are always in their rooms playing video games. Regardless of if they’re learning how to get along with friends or trying to figure out the best way to build a den – they’re problem solving.
- Improves confidence. Experiencing new environments, developing new skills and facing challenges all help to build confidence.
