Easy Ways to Get the Kids Outside

Keeping kids active

By Angela La Fon

Want to get your kids up, out, and active? Use these ideas to send them out the door more and more.

MISSIONS MOTIVATE

Give kids a purpose for their steps. Whether a stroll down the block or a hike in the woods, motivate kids with a mission. Offer young kids a special nature collection bag or a disposable camera. A plastic magnifying glass will really enlarge their fun. Entrust older walkers with cameras or binoculars to increase not only their view but their steps too.

GARDEN PARTY

Involve kids in gardening. Give kids a space whether a patch for planting something they enjoy like strawberries or pumpkins, a bed to plant a flower garden or a container garden with friendly herbs like mint. Let kids choose plants to increase motivation. Have them be responsible for planting, watering and weeding. Give them an end of the season incentive like inviting friends over for pumpkin painting or making strawberry or mint chocolate ice cream.

WISH LISTS

What's in your neighborhood? A lake for fishing? A bike riding trail? A cool park? An ice skating rink? A bird sanctuary? Let everyone in the family contribute to a master list of local outdoor opportunities. Make an effort to visit one each week as a family. Update the list as the seasons change.

NO MORE "SIT" & WAIT

Pack an activity bag that stays in your car with items like balls, Frisbees or jump ropes. While you're getting an oil change, avoid the "waiting" room and go outside and find a safe place to toss a ball. Are there three people still ahead of you at the dentist's office? Go outside and let kids jump rope or toss a Frisbee to pass the time rather than sitting. A stroll around the block is better than watching the clock.

GOT BOOKS?

Nature books can get kids outside anxious to use their new knowledge. Consider books on identifying trees, clouds, insects, wildflowers and so on. Sketchbooks also encourage kids to look outside for inspiration.

OUTDOOR CHORES

When the dishes are put away and the laundry is folded, get kids involved in outdoor chores like washing the car, sweeping walks and porches, hanging clothes to dry or filling bird feeders.

OUTDOOR GIFTS

When you're shopping for birthday or holiday gifts, think about which gifts will take your kids outdoors. For example, roller blades, sprinklers, kites, hula hoops. For young children consider butterfly nets, bottles of bubbles or sidewalk chalk.

OLD FASHION FUN

Consider setting up a time-tested game in the yard such as badminton, croquet or horseshoes. Whether you have room for a bonfire or just a tabletop grill, roasting hot dogs and toasting marshmallows never goes out of style.

Kids naturally play "follow the leader." Be a leader and lead your family outside often. Warning: Fresh air is addictive!

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