I've been trying to encourage my own children to spend more time outdoors. There are a number of reasons for this but it's mainly because I believe that outdoor play is good for them. Getting plenty of fresh air and exercise can only be to their advantage.
Do all parents agree with this approach? There is no doubt that opinions will differ. Some parents are very concerned that their children are not as safe outside the home as they are indoors. This is understandable and it's certainly important to create a safe outdoor environment for kids to play in.
The garden can be an excellent location to do just this. It's a place where children can have fun and play more active games. It's also a place where you can keep a close eye on them and make sure that they don't come to any harm.
It certainly seems to me that it's a better option than having the children sat inside watching television for hours on end!
If your kids aren't convinced of how much fun it can be to play in the garden then you may need to introduce them to some exciting garden games that will help to capture their imagination. I started out by looking for games and activities that would be fun and would also allow them to get more exercise.
I found that a trampoline was a great solution - kids love using them, while they come in various shapes and sizes. That means that you should be able to find one to fit into most gardens.
What else has proved a real hit? The paddling pool was certainly a great investment when they were younger. It's something that allowed them to enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly when it was used with a few simple toys that were safe to be placed in the water.
Both the trampoline and the paddling pool did require a certain amount of supervision but my view was that it was always time well spent. It's great fun to see your children enjoying themselves and you can be pleased with the thought that such active pursuits are also good for them.
Providing kids with a balanced life isn't always easy, despite the efforts that we all put in. Making use of garden games can be a useful step to keeping them healthy though.
Find out more about playing outdoors and fun kids garden games with more articles by Keith Barrett. You're welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Parenting Articles Via RSS!
