How to encourage outdoor play for kids

We know fresh air and the great outdoors are good for kids. But sometimes encouraging them to get outside is difficult. Here, BritMums bloggers share how they encourage outdoor play for kids, no matter what the weather.

To infinity and beyond! Photo courtesy of My Two Mums

Inspire kids with their heroes

You Baby, Me Mummy’s Aby arranges for her daughter to go riding inspired by Brave’s Merida — showing how indoor activities (and favourite Disney characters) can inspire outdoor active fun.

My Two Mums, for example, used Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear and Woody to model friendship for their son. They show how they took the their son and his friend – and their Buzz and Woody toys – to a country park where they could climb, run, jump and get dirty and muddy as children should.

Chelsea Mamma, meanwhile, has used Pocahontas to get her children exploring the forest. Vevivos took the example of Tangled’s Rapunzel to steel herself to take her daughter swimming “venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it”. Or, if you’re like TiredMummyofTwo, use Tarzan to get your children (eventually) climbing trees.

Learn from experts

Every parent knows that as some point, kids discount everything we say. That’s where experts come into play — inspiring our kids and taking us along for the ride. Minitravellers loves skiing as a family. They also loved taking it up a notch and booking a private ski instructor as a family. It helped tailor the experience to a mixed-ability group and also catered to older kids. We love how their instructor impressed on teens to ski ‘smart not fast’ — demonstrating that they will listen to experts even if they don’t listen to us.

Get the right outdoor gear

As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Anna from the Beesley Buzz is unfazed by the elements: “The kids love getting outdoors whatever the weather – whether it’s dressing up in waterproofs and jumping in puddles or going out for a winter walk.” Make sure your kids have good wet-weather gear, warm underlayers, sturdy boots and socks. The great thing about gear for kids — you can usually pick up good quality versions new or second-hand for not that much money. They grow up so quickly…and need the wellies to match.

Set them a challenge

Jennie from Edspire writes about a walk that her family took in memory of her daughter, Matilda Mae. To celebrate Matilda Mae’s life, the family did a variety of activities, including:

Rolling down hills

Jumping in puddles

Paddling at the edge of the sea

Her photos show what a truly wonderful time her family had.

More idea on outside play

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