Making sure children get plenty of outdoor time is a given – the benefits of kids spending time outside have been proven in study after study. The great outdoors is one of the best ingredients to help your young ones thrive mentally and physically. While there are countless things to do in the fresh (preferably warm) air, we picked a few of our favorites to share.

Go For a Walk

We know how well a 30 – or even a 10 – minute walk can break up monotonous daily routines, but it does even more wonders for our children. They could stumble on a new plant they’ve never seen or spot an animal they’ve never got to see up close (safely, of course!). A light stroll in the fresh air before dark can do wonders for our mental health. Imagine how great a simple walk is going to feel for your child who may have spent most of their time indoors that day.

Art in Nature

While you don’t have to setup a full canvas in the front yard (although if you have the resources, feel free to get creative!), we can encourage fun arts and crafts activities that incorporate nature like:

• Chalk sidewalk art
• Painting on rocks (then throw in a few sets of Googly Eyes, if you have them!)
• Use a nearby sand-box to build sand castles (check your local parks and playgrounds to find the nearest one)

There are plenty of other ways to get creative with the things just outside your door, so be sure to talk with your child about some of their favorite outdoor activities. Children will usually gravitate towards the things that fuel their personal creativity the most – from sidewalk coloring to even some fun children-friendly gardening. Let your child’s imagination run wild!

Outdoor Sports like Baseball or Soccer

If your child is always talking about how much they enjoy outdoor time at school or daycare, there’s no saying you can’t bring it home! You don’t need a full team to play a fun sport or engage in a game – with just a soccer ball you can create your own family tournament you and your child will love.

For younger age groups like toddlers and preschoolers, don’t worry about setting up teams or having too much structure to your games. Giving children the chance to play outdoors will help them develop the motor skills to kick a soccer ball or toss a baseball (we recommend the lighter ball for younger children). This type of active, outdoor play is a great way to foster their development while still letting them have plenty of fun.

For older age groups like kindergarteners, you can start to incorporate a little structure. If they have friends in your neighborhood of a similar age group, setting up fun afternoon soccer games can help children not only develop their motor skills, but also help with social skills, team-building, and leadership skills.     

When you head outside with your children, “the sky is the limit!”