Across the state, Spring is springing up everywhere! Sending the kids outside to play relieves many grandparents and family caregivers. After all, many of us would agree that Winter means too much time inside for our kids, on screens, in their rooms, or getting on each other’s nerves with the closeness. But there are many other benefits to outdoor time, too.
Outdoor Fun (and Work) is Good for Mental Health
We all know fresh air and sunshine are good for our brains and bodies. Did you know outdoor time also presents unique opportunities to build your grandchild’s skills? Consider this list of suggested outdoor activities and try a few with your grandchild or relative child each week. The time you spend outdoors with them will present unique opportunities to further build attachment between you. And you will get a front-row seat to watch their competence and confidence grow as you engage in these activities!
Benefits of Outdoor Time for Kids
Here are just a few of the benefits of increased outdoor time for a child’s mental health:
- Reduces stress and improves moods
- Improves physical activity and movement
- Provides different opportunities to learn crucial life skills
- Boosts creativity and imaginative play
- Builds resilience and confidence
Outdoor Activities that Build Life Skills
- Let them plan a family hike or walk in the local park. Ask them to choose 5 things each hiker must look for. (encourages creativity, task ownership, observation skills, etc.)
- Set up an obstacle course around your yard or in the local park (builds problem-solving skills, teamwork, and memory)
- Ask the child to create a scavenger hunt for the family (encourages problem-solving, goal-setting, creativity)
- Create activity stations, like jump rope for 3 minutes, swing for 10 minutes, play 3 rounds of hopscotch with a sibling, etc. (teaches perseverance, increases focus, builds confidence when each center is completed)
- Plan a lemonade, cookie, or freezer popsicle stand and raise money for a favorite local charity. (encourages goal setting, time management, awareness of others’ needs, and pride in a task that benefits others)
- Create artwork from nature. Ask each child to gather beautiful things they see outdoors. Glue them to a poster board with a short sentence or two about why the objects are beautiful to them. (encourages creativity and self-expression, seeing beauty around them, observation skills, boosts moods)
- Do outdoor yoga, stretching, or dance practices. (supports physical activity, boosts moods, gives a sense of competence when learning new moves)
- Participate in a community clean-up. Whether it’s an annual event in your tribal community or specific to the recent flooding or wildfires, your community will likely have multiple occasions to lend a hand. (teaches community connection, awareness of others, value of belonging, boosts resilience)
- Go to the park regularly. (encourages physical activity, builds physical strength and confidence to try new activities)
- Garden together! (builds planning skills, encourages physical activity, boosts self-esteem and pride in physical work and producing food)
Outdoor Time is also Good for A Child’s Sleep
We all know some kids are more naturally wired to love the great outdoors. And other kids need a fair bit of encouragement, prodding, or even straight-up “Because I said so” type of direction to get out there. Wherever your grandchild lands on that range, it’s worth pressing in and holding the line on your requests to participate.
The fresh air, blue skies, and green grass are natural mood boosters. But did you know they are also excellent sleep aids? Kids who struggle with the impacts of loss, prenatal substance exposure, neglect, and other challenging experiences also often struggle with sleep. When they spend extensive time outdoors, they wear themselves out in the best possible ways, and the result is quite often more deeply refreshing sleep.
Be Creative with the Opportunities You Present
The above list is not exhaustive by any means! Use what you have around your house, the resources in your community, and what comes to mind from the suggestions we’ve offered to build your creativity.
The goal is to offer plenty of opportunities for your grandchild to get outdoors, taste success in new ways, and feel confident. These boosts to their mental and physical well-being will benefit all of you!