Summer Outdoor Playgroup

As parents we are faced with a lot of decisions on how to raise our children. Most parents, myself included, want to give their kids every opportunity to become successful and find what they truly enjoy in life. But does this mean we should enroll them in every activity that comes along?

There are so many activities available that it’s difficult to decide which would be most beneficial to our kids; language lessons, music lessons, tumbling, baseball, swimming…the list goes on and on.

Fortunately one thing has been studied and proven to be priceless to children and their healthy development. It’s free outdoor playtime! It’s simply a natural thing for a child to experience and disappointingly is becoming a rarity among kids these days.

This summer Nature For Kids encourages you to make free outdoor playtime a priority. Do it on your own or join an outdoor playgroup. If there isn’t an outdoor playgroup in your area think about creating one yourself. Active Kids Club  has some great tips on how to go about doing this.

Nature For Kids will be hosting an outdoor playgroup this summer starting June 8th in Helper, Utah. It will be held every Monday from 9 to 11. The first meeting will be held 4 miles up Spring Canyon at the parking lot near the bathrooms and trailhead. Activities will be based on kids’ ages 2- 8 but others are welcome to attend. The first hour will be a structured activity that will be nature based. The second hour is open for free play. Each activity will be talked about here at Nature For Kids to help you get more ideas for the fun summer ahead.

When I say “free outdoor play” I’m sure many of you can remember the trees you climbed the forts your built or the sandcastles you created. Free outdoor play is different than organized outdoor sports such as baseball or soccer. The word “Free” reflects the agency that a child has when playing outside. They can choose what, where and when. They also can create their own games by letting their imagination drive their experience.

Free Outdoor Play has been show to:

• Calm kids down (showing significant results in those with ADHD)
• Foster creativity
• Provide recommended doses of Vitamin D
• Teach kids to love and take care of their world around them
• Strengthen immune systems
• Improve motor skills, balance and coordination

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of outdoor play Nature For Kids recommends two reads,
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity and Free Time Create a Successful Child.

Here’s hoping for a fun-filled summer at your very own outdoor playgroup. Join Nature For Kids at their Facebook location for quick updates, videos, pictures and ideas.

Photos By Damon Andreasen

nature for kids, outdoors, playgroup, parents, parenting, summer, activities for children, activities for kids

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