Getting Kids Outdoors
Editor’s note: The following post was originally published on Green and Clean Mom. “Green & Clean Mom can inspire you to try a little harder, be a catalyst for change and to offer you some new tips and news on how to be the green, sexy and sassy mom…I know you are!”
In my local community something is happening that makes me want to jump up, clap for joy and say, “thank goodness”! Children are being encouraged to get outside. Turn off the television and discover green grass, bugs, bond with the trees, smell the fresh air, run and get dirty. It’s an initiative that really shouldn’t have to take place but with television, computers, working parents and technology more children are inside verses exploring the great outdoors. Find out how to locally get involved or start an initiative near you by visiting Getting Kids Outdoors.
The idea is to leave no child inside. I found many helpful tips for parents on a handout given to me at our local health fair and hopefully you can use some of these tips and join in the effort to get our kids off the couch and outside where the rain won’t hurt them and some mud could be fun for everyone!
Limit Screen Time. Designate how often the television can be turned on and stick to it. Avoid using it just for noise. I’m guilty at this. My children love to just have the television on but they’re not watching it. It wastes energy and it’s just noise.
- » See also: Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 Activities to Teach Your Child How to Live Green
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No Structure. Just get wild and crazy and be spontaneous. See what happens when you don’t organize a game but just play. Will you go on a treasure hunt or perhaps race down a hill and then decide to roll? Just discover nature and what the free will of not having a structured activity does to you and the children.
Read more at Green and Clean Mom!
Great information on a really important topic - too many children are suffering from Nature Deficit!
Like you, I realized a few months ago that we often had the TV on as background noise & it was basically just a distraction. Now we have music on and change it up based on what we’re doing.
We also try to get outside as much as we can, including taking typically indoor activities outside. The kids have their own little table outside where they’ll take art projects, play-doh and snacks on a dry day. We’ll also spread out a blanket and read outside. And during the summer months, we eat almost all meals outside.
In the NW, we learn new ways to take advantage of our beautiful, green outdoors in the different seasons each year.
Thanks so much for posting this article!
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