Chances are, you probably have fond memories from your childhood of playing outdoors for hours and hours, until your parents forced you to come inside. The winter was perfect for outdoors because of the snow; the fall was perfect because of the leaves; the spring and summer were perfect because you could play whatever came your imagination devised! These times spent outdoors may have been shared with your siblings, or perhaps you shared them with other kids who lived in your neighborhood. And with these other kids, you would play sports or would play make believe all the way until dark.

Nowadays, however, it seems like a lot of kids never go outside unless they are walking to or from school. The rest of the time when they are not in school, they are watching television or playing video games or playing around on a computer. While all these things are fine in moderation, it is also important for children to play outside; this will increase their health, will strengthen their mind, and will cut down on the prevalence of childhood obesity. If you want your own children to begin playing outside, here are a few tips for you to try out on your own.

If you “force” your children to play outside, they are less likely to enjoy it; recognize this, and recognize that many children will feel rebellious when they are told they “have to” do something. Your best bet, instead, is to allow your children to “discover” playing outside of their own accord. This can be done in a couple of simple ways: 1) Limit the amount of “media time” they are allowed each day; 2) Play outside with them!

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As you limit the amount of time they are allowed to spend with video games, television, and computer each day, they will begin to naturally fill their extra time with time outdoors! And your children will be drawn out of the house – and will be started on playing outside – when you go out there and play with them.

For some children, it is easy to encourage them to play outdoors; if your child does not fall into this category, however, then follow these tips, and they will begin to play outside on their own more and more.