Helping children get back to the days of playing outside has become a growing trend among parents and educators. Although it may seem easy to entice youngsters to go outside and enjoy
outdoor play, some parents seem to find it difficult to keep them excited about nature. The Huffington Post recently offered some fun ideas families can try at home that may help grow the bond between kids and the environment.
Play games from around the worldA great way to get kids interested in the great outdoors is to do a little research on different sports or activities played by youngsters in other countries. In Indonesia, a popular game among kids is the "Foot Game." To play, youngsters need to select a smooth rock or stone, one that he or she can easily pick up by curling his or her toes. A starting line is drawn on the driveway or sidewalk and one by one players try to throw their stones the farthest using only their toes. The losing player must carry the winning player piggyback-style from the starting line to the winning stone. This easy and free game helps work on kids' balance and strength.
Create a scavenger hunt in the backyardKeeping children engaged and excited to be outdoors may be a challenge, but it can be dealt with by creating a fun game like a scavenger hunt, HuffPost reports. Start by having the kids make a list of things found in their yard, including sticks, rocks of a certain size, specific trees, birds nests and more. Then make the hunt more interesting by adding in a few other items the kids must find. After the list is complete, send the kids off on the hunt. To keep with the outdoor theme, offer prizes meant to be used in nature such as a jump rope, bubbles or a frisbee.
Invite friends overWith the weather still warm across the nation, a great way to keep kids happy outside is to let them invite a few friends over. Make sure to put out some fun activities including basketballs and baseballs, or a even have the friend bring his or her bike over so the kids can use their imaginations while riding around the neighborhood.
The Let's Move! Initiative reports
healthy kids need at least 60 minutes of daily exercise. Finding ways to excite them to be outside may make it easier for healthy kids to get in a workout without even knowing it.