4 Benefits of Playing Outside with your Children

In a world full of technologies, children seem to be more and more sitting in front of some sort of device. The weather is nice, with spring here and summer right around the corner that it’s a great time to explore all the benefits of playing outside with your little ones. All you need is to unplug and get outdoors. My 2.5 year old and I are on an outdoor adventure almost every day of the week in the nice weather and depending on where you are reading from, you may have the advantage of glorious weather all year-long!

1.-When your child is outside they learn a lot.

So when school lets out, education doesn’t have to stop, just get outdoors.  My child has learned a lot of education that she most likely wouldn’t have learned inside too. You ask her what a spider is and she says “arachnid”. You ask her what water is that doesn’t move and she says stagnant. She is learning to count and read a map. We love interactive forests. It’s a fun way to learn about all your native trees, animals and plants. So check to see if you have any near you. 

*Local to Hudson Valley Tip: Vassar Ecological Preserve in Poughkeepsie, Esopus Meadows and Little Woods Nature Play Trail at Freedom Park all have interactive forests.

2. Life Skills

She is not just learning all kinds of educational points but life skills as well. She is learning to be strong, independent, and a leader. A lot of times I take her lead and let her direct me where to go.  She is also learning to problem solve like when we come to a small stream she has to cross without falling in or the best route up a mountain.  She is learning kindness and a love of nature and animals around her.

Perseverance is being learned as well. Sometimes on a hike, it becomes challenging just like life can sometimes become and she has to learn to push on and keep going. 

One other awesome skill she is learning is trust. The other day, we were on a hike and the trail we were hiking became steep with loose rock. My daughter looked at me and said “mama hand.” She is trusting me to help her navigate. When she felt it was safe, she told me to let go.

3. Outdoors Brings Creativity

Another awesome thing about getting outdoors is creativity. You can climb a pile of rocks and become a mountain goat or an explorer. or imagine what is hiding in the crevasses and little holes in the ground creating an epic story that depending on age, can go home and write about. You can pretend you are just about anything when you are outdoors. Depending on where you are and the rules of where you are, you can also collect things for an art project later on. Some places have a leave-in place policy. So check the rules before you take anything. We are starting to collect rocks to paint and then I am going to write where they are from so she begins a collection.

4. Let’s Get a Good Workout

It’s also great exercise and good for your health. It’s fresh air! Can’t get any better than that. My daughter,  at 2.5, if she wants to, can now solo about a mile and do small rock scrambles. She’s a very strong little girl and loves being outdoors. I know for a fact, when she gets on a device at home, she can become a totally different being. She is so much happier outdoors.

Final Thoughts

From camping to hiking to leisurely walk around your local park or even feeding a llama at your local nature center, the options are endless. Go get lost. Go stick your toes in a cool stream or jump in a big muddle of mud in your own backyard! Become a great explorer. Venture to new places.The skies the limit. Go enjoy the great outdoors. G

Thanks for reading! As always-Peace, Love and French Fries, Adventures of Abby Girl