When your kids are home from school on the weekends and during school breaks, it might be tempting to allow them to watch television or play video games to their hearts' content. When the weather is nice, however, it is important for them to go outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Prod them by introducing them to entertaining outdoor games.
Benefits
Playing outdoors offers many benefits to children, both physical and social. Turning off the television and video games and encouraging your child to play outside can help to prevent childhood obesity. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity each day, and playing outside is a great way to get kids moving. Further, outdoor games promote friendships between children and encourage good teamwork skills, both of which can raise your child's self-esteem.
Organized Sports
Many children enjoy playing on a team, and chances are good that there is a sport that will appeal to your child. While you might think of baseball, basketball, football and soccer as the most common options for your kids, chances are that your local recreation center or school offers other outdoor sports as well. Some to consider might include beach volleyball, track and field, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee.
Backyard Games
If you live in a neighborhood full of children or have a large family, you can gather kids quickly for impromptu outside youth games on a sunny day. With a few household items, you could encourage the kids to set up obstacle courses or run relay races. Some fun races to try include egg-and-spoon races, running from one end of the yard to the other holding a ball or balloon between their knees, and races that include water balloons, sopping wet sponges or other potentially messy items. Having some simple equipment, such as rackets, balls and shuttlecocks makes it easy to throw together a spontaneous game of badminton or catch. Kids also love to come up with their own variations of tag, such as freeze tag or TV tag.
Considerations
Consider the ages, desires and ability levels of your children before signing them up for sports. If a child finds a particular game or sport to be work instead of fun, he might become turned off to exercise in general. Always use appropriate safety equipment, even if the kids are just playing in the backyard or driveway. Helmets are necessary whenever kids are on wheels, such as roller blades, skateboards or bicycles.
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