Walking out of the Shadows: How to Help Your Child Enjoy the Outdoors?

Did you just watch your kid spend an entire afternoon glued to the couch watching a meaningless TV show? Or perhaps the Xbox gracefully took over your child’s precious time (and mind) that should be spent playing outdoors, in the nature. Where technological advancements have brought enhanced ways to teach children, they have also brought myriad physiological and psychological ailments that can distort our children’s future. But how to actually get kids off the couch and outside in the nature. This article will help you with this agonizing challenge.

Build a Cozy Outdoor Tent

Making your own little tent out in the backyard on a sunny day is the ideal approach to engage exhausted kids. There's something otherworldly about making your own particular lodge tent out of sheets and string that beats the manufactured tents against all odds.

Things you will need:

• A long piece of rope (around 4-5m will do)
• Twofold bunk sheets or bigger
• A couple of blocks or rocks
• Ample garments and pegs for the tent arrangement
• A cover or picnic blanket for inside the tent

What to do:

There is no confinement to what you can really do in the tent. Let your youngster have one of those doll tea parties, or simply lie in there for an unwinding nighttime; utilize your creative energy and concoct a fun-arrangement.

Play Duck, Duck Goose

Duck, duck, goose is an enthralling game that can empower and captivate children of all ages. Yes, it might be even more than the modern commercial playground equipment!
What to do:

• In this game, children take a seat in a way that they face one another.
• One child who is the "it," strolls around the circle. As he strolls around, he taps other children's heads and say whether they are a "duck" or a "goose".
• When somebody is the goose they get up and attempt to pursue "it" around the circle. The objective is to tap that child before he is capable to take a seat on the goose's spot.
• In the event that the goose is not ready to do this, he gets to be the "it" and the play proceeds. In case the other child does taps the "it"child, the child labeled needs to sit on the inside of the circle.
• At this point the goose gets to be “it” for the following round. The individual in the center can't leave until someone else is labeled and they are supplanted.

Enagae them in a Treasure Hunt

Children love playing around in the sand, so why not make it more motivating by adding treasure into the sands and have the kids look for it. You can choose any location to hide the treasure; near outdoor playground equipment or in the sand-pit can be great hiding spots.

Things you will need:

• Spades;
• Spoons;
• Buckets;
• Treasure to hide.

What you can do:

• Prior to the game, conceal various little toys in a sand-pit.
• Give every child a spade or spoon and give them a chance to begin burrowing to discover the coveted treasure.
• Make sure that you only put things that are in fixed bundling or in a re-sealable plastic sack before you conceal.

Taking Initiative: How to keep the Playgrounds Clean?

Summary: The dirt stained, weather beaten play structures can be commonly observed in our cities. Every time you drive past a playground with less-than-appropriate playing gear, you can’t help but wonder: who’s going to check it? Isn’t this the responsibility of our parks and recreation department? It is, but you cannot just sit around and wait for them to respond to your calls and complaints. It’s time to take the initiative.

The ‘Clean Parks’ Project

So what if your parks and recreation department doesn’t care about the filthy parks, you can always put together your own little project for cleaning up your neighboring parks. And you never know, it can actually be fun. So how do you do that? All you have to do is find the time to make this happen. Playground cleanup can take time, so make sure that you have a couple of weekends free. You do not necessarily have to do this alone; you can involve your kids and neighbors in the project and a have a fun-oriented activity for the weekend. Here is a list of things that you can do:

• First of all decide about the playground that you wish to clean. Depending on the type of help you have for the project, you can choose to clean different parks. If you can get a large number of volunteers, then you can get a lot of work done.
• You will need to approach your local government to make sure that your local council will help you with the removal of the trash.There is a pretty good chance that your local city council will assist you with the various park cleaning activities, including waste disposal. However,if due to tight budget, the council fails to provide the needed assistance, you can always work out your own strategy for waste disposal. The most effective way to dispose waste is the use of recycling containers.
• Plan for waste reduction and recycling. If you cannot get your hands on the recycling containers, arrange for the disposable plastic bags.
• Publicize your project to get more volunteers. If your community has a neighborhood newsletter, publish the park cleanup news in advance.
• If your park has a rusty, old outdoor playground equipment, make sure that you have the right supplies for the cleanup.
• Advise your neighbors or volunteers to bring their safety gear, such as gloves and goggles, for the cleanup process.
• If it’s cold, you might want to arrange for coffee, tea and hot chocolate. If it’s hot, you might need water coolers and disposable cups. You do not have to do this all on your own; ask the volunteers to pitch in.
• Determine what kind of cleaning equipment you will need and ask your volunteers to help you with the equipment. Your home cleaning supplies and gardening tools can be of great assistance. You can ask the volunteers to bring some tools along so there is a less need for borrowing them. In addition, understand what type of commercial playground equipment your park has and bring the tools accordingly.
• If You wish to trim the grass and shrubbery, you will need to have special gardening tools such as a lawn mower. In addition, for hard core gardening work, bring your boots and hat and ask your volunteers to bring their gardening gear as well.

The above-mentioned steps can help you implement your park cleanup project successfully. So grab a spade and get to work!

Where the Wild Things are…

Summary: There is always some Godforsaken piece of barren land that the parents never wish for their kids to find. But do we really need to keep our children tucked inside the four walls? What if our children have better chances to grow and develop in the outside environment that is presumed to be dangerous for their health. This article will explore why you should let your kids hang around near dangerous places.

This Sounds Preposterous

I know how it sounds and I know what most parents reading this must be thinking “let our child near danger? That sounds preposterous!” Maybe you are right, but what are we gaining by keeping our children safe and sound indoors? Our children are becoming a victim of sedentary habits at home and we need to do something about it. If children want to discover the less-than-safe zones near your house or in the neighborhood, then maybe let them. Exploring the no-go-zones can offer various benefits that include, but are not limited to:
· Children learn to take risks and make decisions according to the situation.
· New locations give children the opportunity to expand their mental horizon.
· Dangerous activities and places, strengthen kids’ confidence and ability of self-reliance.

Things that you should Absolutely Allow Your Kids Here is a well-sorted list of things that you should absolutely allow your kids.

Climb trees: Climbing trees can allow your kids to develop strong motor skills and help them have the ability to take on risky endeavors. This may not be a great idea for toddlers, but preschoolers can enjoy tree climbing in close supervision (of course).

Lift heavy objects: By allowing your child to lift heavy objects, you are not giving them the license to lift objects that are beyond their strength and control. You are simply letting them pick heavy things like a garden spade or a chair. So, do not worry about the injuries.

Walk around barefoot: Growing body of research shows that soil and dirt contain good bacteria that offer myriad benefits for the overall health. So, let your kids walk around in the backyard without their comfy shoes.

Stand on unsteady objects: Some commercial playground equipment gives children the freedom to play with unsteady areas that help them learn body balance.

Carry a small pocket knife: OK, maybe this one crosses the line, but think about it; if your children have the chance to explore the forsaken garden, there is a good chance that they would want to cut up some flowers and stuff. There are a hundred things that a pocket knife can be used for and children need to learn that. A blunt pocket knife cannot do much harm to kids, so let them have it.

Explore the pool with a floating device: Seriously? Yes, really, let them dive in the pool or the lake without a floating device, but (of course) with close supervision. Don’t let the your younger children go any deeper, but older kids or high schoolers can definitely survey the deeper end of a lake.
What if my kid gets injured? There is usually a 50/50 chance that your kid will get injured or stay unharmed while around an outdoor playground equipment or any other play structure. So, why limit their activity?

Supporting Your Children: Why You must Encourage Atheltic Activities?

So your kid prefers barreling in the school playground instead of sitting in a classroom. Kids can have different preferences when it comes to recreational activity and study choices. Generally, parents prefer to have their kids enroll in academic endeavors that will guarantee acceptance in the Ivy league colleges. Not every child can have the same potential for the same kinds of activities, and by forcing them to choose something that does not go well with their talent, you are only stifling their true potential.

Why Encourage Athletic Activities?

If your child has chosen to be more athletic than a science lab geek, appreciate and encourage him instead of lecturing him about the importance of academic competence. Sports can enhance your child’s overall development and help him do better at academic tasks. Below, we have put together a list of benefits that can be garnered through athletic activities. Sports can:

• Build confidence
• Reduce the risk of obesity
• Enhance cardiovascular fitness
• Improve the growth of tendons,  bones, ligaments and muscles
• Improve muscle coordination and balance
• Provide relaxation,
• Reduce chronic muscular tension
• Improve sleep
• Enhance cognitive health
• Improve interpersonal skills

Sports are not just for the Boys

Most parents believe that girls belong to a ballet class instead of a sports field. This is just a wrong assumption that sport activities are a guy thing. Girls can be just as much participative in athletic endeavors as boys.

Some of the most influential women on the planet include sport champions like Maria Sharapova and Laila Ali. “I don’t think my little girl has what it takes to be something like Laila Ali.” Parents make a devastating mistake when they make up their minds that their child simply does not have the capability to compete for hard core sports activities. Even if you believe that your little girl is not competitive enough for the various athletic activities, you have to let her have the opportunity to explore her potential.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to allow your child to explore the various options; you never know, your girl might be the next Zara Philips. One way to encourage physical activity is by allowing your children (both boys and girls) to enjoy the natural goodness of school playground equipment or any other play structure for that matter. The higher the physical activity, the higher the chances of success in both the classroom and field.

Watching Sports Can Do a Lot

Many People would beg to differ, but watching sports activities can have a positive influence on your child’s mind. All the energy in the playground evokes inspiration in the kids and encourages them to participate in athletic activities. So if you say no to every time your child asks permission for attending a basketball match, reconsider your decision (you might be taking away the purest source of inspiration).

Do not underestimate the power of outdoor playground equipment or playground; even if your children are not participating, they are watching and learning.

Making the Most out of Recess: How to structure the Recess Activities?

If there is anything that can help children develop more focus in class, it’s recess. But due to increased academic pressure, many schools are keen on cutting down the recess time and increasing the classroom time, which might significantly affect our children’s physiological and physical health. Lack of recess is one of primary reasons why obesity prevails in our society.

Why Children need more Recess?

Recess is the most component of overall child development, but unfortunately many scholastic institutions seem to ignore that fact. Many school practice recess punishments where children are forced to skip their break time. This is not healthy for children and can seriously alter their brain activity that can ultimately impact their academic performance. Here are some of the major reasons why our children need more recess time at school:

Sunlight Improves Overall Wellness

Sunlight offers more than just vitamin D. Research shows that children who spend 45-50 minutes out in the sun have better bone development than children who miss the sun on a daily basis. Going to the beach once a month cannot cover your child’s need for sunlight.

Recess Time Increases Focus

Recess can help children improve their focus that can ultimately help them achieve high success in academic endeavors.

Outdoor Playground Equipment Social Skills

This is one of the biggest benefits of recess; it allows children to enhance their interpersonal skills and grow their relationships with their classmates.

Physical Activity Enhances the Brain’s Cognitive Ability

All the sweat and augmented heartbeat during a recess does not go to waste. Research shows that physical activity during the recess time can aid in enhanced cognitive ability.

 How Can We Structure a Recess Activity?

Most parents believe that controlling the structure of a recess is beyond their control. It is simply not true. That’s why we have parent teacher meetings so parents and the school staff can get together to find ways for better child maturity. Below are some of the ways that can help you structure the recess activities in a productive manner.

Ways to Structure the Recess Activities:

• The first and the foremost thing is to get in touch with the school staff and promote ample recess time.
• Make sure that your child’s school supports movement-based learning activities.
• Make sure that the school offers creative school playground structures; modern play structures are designed with quest-oriented designs that allow children to take their imagination to the next level.
• Ask the teachers and the physical education instructors to help kids engage with both structured and unstructured activities during the recess time.
• Raise voice against nixing recess and make sure that the children get their break during the school hours. If we do not put an end to this silly punishment today, there is a possibility that this will take a form of a tradition.
• Recess should not be the only way to give kids a chance to participate in physical activities; outdoor playground equipment is a great way to let children ride their imagination freely.

Outdoor Activities: Why Mud, Muck and Rain Water might be Good for Your Child?

It’s not evident which doctrine or biblical apocrypha embedded the belief in our culture’s roots that dirt or any other naturally occurring sullied substance is essentially bad for our children. Since the inception of recreational activity, parents believe that dirt, mud water and other similar elements that pass as a pollutant are extremely dangerous for kids. However, the research shows a different side of bacteria found in dirt. A recent research shows that dirt and mud might be good for your kids. This article will discuss why.

Bacteria: The Good Side

Most people are not very keen on believing that bacteria might actually be good for health. Well, this recent development might make people thing differently about germs. Apparently, the various bacteria found in the dirt are known to have positive effects on your child’s brain. The bacteria in the soil naturally activate the neurons in the brain that are responsible for producing serotonin—a chemical that charges various bodily functions.
Why your kids need serotonin? Here’s why:

• Serotonin makes the heart stronger and reduces the risk of heart problems at an early age, as well as in the future.
• Serotonin helps in brain development and many cognitive functions.
• Serotonin works as an antidepressant and helps children relax.
• Lack of Serotonin can cause sleep problems, so playing in the mud can help children have the essential dose of Serotonin.
• Serotonin is a natural mood booster.
• Serotonin keeps the various important bodily functions such as appetite, mood, sleep and energy.

Enhanced Immunity

Dirt is great for increased immunity in children. If you believe that by providing a clean environment for your kids you are keeping them safe, then think again. Research shows that exposing children to natural microbes in an early age can help build a stronger immune system that is more disease-resistant. Children who have a stronger immune system rarely miss their school days and are more active in other challenging physical activities than the other kids.

Character Development

It is a well documented fact that children learn more outdoors than indoors. Whether it’s an old-fashioned outdoor playground equipment or a barren patch, kids find out ways to engage in structured and unstructured activity. Children who spend more than 13 hours of their total activity time playing in dirt have lower blood pressure and stress level. But that is not the only benefit of spending more time in the backyard or any other play area for that matter.
Kids develop strong character that helps them build interpersonal skills that are essential for academic success. Strong character, not only helps children develop self-confidence, but also helps them become self-sufficient.

Development of Childhood Memories

This is probably the biggest benefit of letting kids play in the mud. The kids develop one of their most memorable memories while playing outdoors. The mud castles, the feet impressions in the sand and even the simple commercial playground equipment can leave a long lasting imprint on your child’s memory. So, do not rob your kids of the joys of playing outside simply because you think they’ll catch a disease. Let them make memories!

How to Boost Children’s Physical Activity through Parental Support

Do you hate getting out of bed every morning? How about your evening routine; do you spend most of your time on the couch glued to watching a cheap evening program on TV? Research shows that parents can impart their lifestyle to their children. Parents play a significant role in their child’s overall physical development. Parents, especially mothers contribute positively towards their kid’s physiological well-being. Most parents impart their sedentary behavior to their kids, which leads to obesity and other behavioral problems. This article will highlight why parental support matters and why parents need to change their way of life in order to help their kids develop an active lifestyle.

Why Parental Support Matters?

According to a research study, children are heavily influenced by their parents’ lifestyle and usually develop analogous habits that significantly affect their academic life. To make an elevating prominence in children’s day-to-day physical activities, it is crucial that parents actively support the structured and unstructured activities.

Children mostly visit parks and other open areas for active play under their parent’s influence; therefore, parents who support physical activities give more opportunities to their children for all kinds of physical activities. Many researchers believe that children who face difficulties in school usually lack the interpersonal and social skills that can only be developed through a healthy amount of active play. Children, who usually do well in school, both academically and socially, are physically active.

Parental support can allow children to explore their personality and develop a perception about the world around them.

Do not ignore any opportunity for an active play; the backyard swings and the outdoor playground equipment matters a lot when it comes to physical health of your child, so do not take the commercial playground equipment, or any other play structure for that matter, for granted.

How can I Boost my Child’s Physical Activity?

Do you often miss your child’s football game? Most parents usually ignore minor activities  like weekend baseball game and even a stroll in the nearest park. You do not really have to dedicate a complete day for a fun-oriented physical activity; a few hours every day can make a lot of difference. Here are some essential tips that can help you boost your child’s physical activities:

• Encourage your kids to actively participate in sports and other physical activities. Cheer them on by attending every event.
• Constantly monitor their progress and give them helpful advice about how to play better.
• Schedule a fun day out at least twice a week.
• Make sure that your child gets ample nutrition to play strong.

So, what are you doing to enhance your child’s physical activities? Type away in our comment section and let us know what you think.