Outdoor activities are a must for healthy growth of children. Therefore, parents should encourage children to take part in outdoor activities and play. Read on to learn more about the importance of outdoor play and activities for children.A common sight these days is kids sitting glued in front of their televisions or hooked for hours on their play stations and Xboxes. Even school systems are designed as such, that outdoor activities are restricted to one day in a week. Kids are so burdened with studies that they do not feel any interest in exploring the world outside their rooms.
It is true that modern life has become such that we hardly have any area that can be called outdoor. We live in flats with no backyards or gardens. Even houses do not have much space for outdoor activities. But given how obesity and lethargy are some prime concerns of parents, they must take some time out to take their kids to the nearest open green space and encourage them to engage in outdoor activities. Not a walk or jog, but proper outdoor activities have many benefits for the children. Let us take a look at them.
1. Improvement in Social Skills
Outdoor activities and games will help to make your kids more social. Kids are so cribbed and confined within their houses that they forget how to interact with others. Taking them out to open spaces, where they can meet other children and interact with them for real, instead of on a virtual platform which will enhance their
social skills. They will learn healthy competition and the spirit of sportsmanship.
2. Physical Benefits
Outdoor activities also benefit children physically. A potent cure for obesity and lethargy is taking them outside and making them do some physical activity. Once you take your child out and let them do something physical they will automatically enjoy it and want more. Through this they will also get the much needed physical exercise. It will help build their bodies and make them physically fit and more open minded individuals.
3. Training
Taking the kids on a picnic or on a camp, benefits them not only physically but also mentally.
Nature is said to be the best teacher. Going out on trips will make them more self sufficient. When you go camping assign them little tasks, like finding the right spot to set camp, or finding some firewood. Even picnics do the trick. There are many picnic spots and you must take your child there for a day and make them enjoy an environment different from her virtual world.
4. Stress Release
Just like parents undergo stress, kids too undergo various types of stresses. It might be the pressure of academics or being socially acceptable etc. Just like adults feel relaxed when they escape to the mountains or seas, taking your kids outdoor will also help them release their stress. Running wildly in an open ground,
playing sports, cycling will give them an adrenaline kick which will help them relax and unwind. It will wipe away all their anxieties and their stress that daily life puts them through.
5. Healing
Many doctors recommend a change of scene or outdoor activities for kids who are suffering from some long term disease. These days the diseases that kids suffer are because they are always confined and are burdened mentally. Taking your kid to some mountain for hiking or on a forest trek will help them feel fresh and also increase their immunity. Away from the city, breathing fresh air, they will regain their health. Some sunshine and some greenery is probably what your city bred kid is lacking.
Next time you have a light weekend head out with your kid to the nearest open green space and let them play and have fun. Device activities for them like badminton or take them rowing, swimming, play ball with them. You too will enjoy the break.
What is the importance of outdoor activities for children? How to encourage children to play outdoor games? What kind of outdoor activities and games are beneficial for children? Discuss here.