Reawaken Your Child's Natural Love of the Outdoors

Is there anything better than the smell of crisp spring air on our kids after they have played outside? Spring is here and daylight savings time has afforded us another hour of daylight and there is no time like the present for outside play!

Kids these days love their video games and their 24-hour access to television programming geared toward them, but at what cost? Lack of physical activity can lead to obesity, and recent research has found that children who play outside for an average of 90 minutes per day in good weather have less risk of heart trouble later in life.

Playing outside is not only good for kids health but for developing well-rounded individuals. Several studies have shown that regular, unstructured playtime in nature makes kids smarter, calmer, more self-disciplined, more cooperative and happier.

"Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors," concluded one authoritative study published by the American Medical Association in 2005. There are benefits to problem solving skills, focus and self discipline as well as cooperation, flexibility and an awareness of self and others. Playing outside just makes kids happier!

So how do we get kids back into the great outdoors? Structured activities can be great for kids who are out of practice problem solving and initiating this types of activities.  So you could:

• Plant a Garden. Not only will your children learn valuable lessons about the science of growing plants, but they may be more tempted to try new veggies fresh from the vine that they have cultivated. No room for a garden? How about a few pots on the back deck. The planning and responsibility of this task creates great life lessons.
•  Watch the Birds. Purchase or build a birdhouse, fill it with birdseed and take out a field guide from the library … see how you can identify more birds.
•  Play in the Sand. Does this ever get old for kids? Sifting, dumping and building can be fun and relaxing. Find a small container to fill with sand and add molds, water, vehicles and other details to create a creative world.
• Stare at the Sky. Get a field guide to the stars at your local library to learn about the stars and constellations and track the sunrise and sunset times to note patterns.

In addition to structured activities, there are the tried-and-true outdoor activities that I think all children should experience, no structure required.

Catch fireflies at dusk, climb a tree, watch a butterfly develop, take a long walk, wade in a stream, go fishing, examine bugs, build a fort

Whatever activity you choose make outside play a priority for you and your kids this spring!