One of our readers here at Nature For Kids emailed me a question that I think many parents have, “How do you get reluctant kids excited about the outdoors?”
#1 Make them think it’s their idea. Give them a choice. Say, “We’re going outside today. Do you want to go to the park to play or go to the lake to throw rocks? This way it becomes a question of WHAT you’ll be doing outside, rather than IF you’ll be going outside.
#2 Everyone enjoys getting new things.Take them to the store with you and have them pick out their own bike helmet or climbing harness. It’s like when you take them school clothes shopping, it gets them excited for the first day of scool.
#3 Go out with them. Don’t just say, “go outside and play”. Go with them and make outdoor time a family bonding time. After the outdoor experience you can talk and laugh about it helping each other keep it to memory.
Our family is active in the outdoors but that doesn’t mean my kids are never reluctant to go outside. We battle the same electronic entertainment battle that everyone else seems to be fighting these days. But these are some of the things that seem to work for us. Have a great day everyone. Spring is almost here!
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My sister and I have colaberated on a series of books for children. We have finished a Wildlife series aimed at pre/biginning readers age group. We are currently working on a book for the Loudoun County Sherrifs Deparment. We would love to talk with someone at Virginia State Parks about doing books for children about Virginia’s parks. I take all the picutres for the books and have spent MANY hours at Virginias State parks shooting for the wildlife series.
If you would like to see samples of our Wildlife series go to http://www.a-childs-book.com. Be sure to click on the cover of at the bottom of the page to hear an example of the text as read by my great niece!
Thank you!
D.W. Maiden
Photographer
http://www.virginiabird.com
http://www.a-childs-book.com
follow us on twitter http://www.twitter.com/dwmaiden and
http://www.twitter.com/suewalls1
even if it is just your backyard,its outside! so have something for them to do there to. swings,slides, fort, sandbox, climbing wall. even a patch of earth for them to dig in is enough. sunshine is the best medicene for everyone.
How do I get my reluctant mother-in-law to take my kids outside? She watches them three days a week and I have stressed to her several times how important it is to me for them to go outside everyday. For the last THREE YEARS she has barely listened!! That is the only thing that I have ever asked….
By the way, I love your blog!! Thanks for letting me read and congratulations on your baby!
Agreed Linda!
Thanks Ashley! Maybe try creating an outdoor activity bag for her. It could have bug catchers, sidewalk chalk and other fun stuff in it. That way she won’t have to feel pressured to come up with something for them to dooutside. Maybe that’s why she’s being so reluctant. Or maybe she just doesn’t like going outside
Family can be frustrating at times. hope this helps!
Great entry. I think this link relates a lot to your article – 5 tips on how to turn your backyard into a playground! Who said the outdoors were boring?
http://www.bunchfamily.ca/turn-backyard-playground