Why Getting Kids Outdoors Is Worth the Fight

Baby it’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean kiddos need to spend all day indoors on screens. While it’s true that today’s children don’t spend nearly as much time outdoors as their parents’ generation (one survey found that one in three kids aged 5 to 12 spends less than 30 minutes outdoors per day — less time than prison inmates spend outside) creative parents will find a way to help their kids enjoy the great outdoors.

All that time indoors isn’t just contributing to childhood obesity. It’s been linked to so many problems that some experts have given it a name: nature-deficit disorder.

What’s the Deal with Nature-Deficit Disorder?

You may have heard the term nature-deficit disorder on the read headlines that use the term, but what does nature-deficit disorder mean?

Experts say you should be outside for at least 45 minutes each morning to move your body out of sleep mode and boost vitality. Check out these other articles to learn more about the benefits of connection to nature:

Kids: Connection to nature lessens distress, hyperactivity, and behavioral problems.

Another reason to let kids play outside: Staying indoors could cause bad vision.

Is playing in the dirt good for kids’ immune systems?

How to Help Kids Get Outdoors

Thanks to the pull of gaming consoles and internet-connected devices, it’s often difficult to get kids outside. Here are some resources that can aid in your quest to get them off the couch.

Get outside: 6 tips for children with allergies.
At your wits’ end with a screen-obsessed kid? Read this.

Making the Outdoors a Fun Place to Be

The trick to getting your child to spend more time outdoors is to make it somewhere they want to be! The following tips and resources will help you find something they will love.

50 best outdoor toys for kids that’ll bring endless hours of fun.
27 outdoor home basketball court ideas you should keep in mind.
Learn to spot storms in the safety of your own backyard.
How to teach a child to ride a bike.

4 Ways to Get Outdoors Together

Now, if you really want to show everyone the importance of spending time in nature, you can doit together! These resources will help you explore the outdoors together.

7 tips when fishing with kids.
4 tips when mountain biking with your child.
Camping with kids: 3 ways to prepare for your family camping trip.
How to make hiking with kids fun.

Sending the kids outside isn’t just a way to get some peace and quiet at home. Playing outside is essential for your children’s health and well-being. Instead of letting your kids join the indoor generation, raise a family that loves to get outside!