Getting Kids Outside

I am glad we are moving this summer! My kids need a neighborhood full of kids of their age! I try to take them outside to play. I take them to parks, playgrounds, and the library sometimes. They play, and then we go back home. I didn’t spend my childhood this way. I used to live in a small town where the houses were side by side on a cliff overlooking the sea. On the right side was my friend Sanna’s house, and on the left side, was my friends Meriam’s, Nadia’s, Malik’s, and Kamal’s houses. Right across from our house was a rocky cliff. We all knew that it was dangerous and we couldn’t go and play there. Down the street, our neighbor had a fig and orange garden. We used to go and climb the trees, eat figs and sometimes pick oranges and run away. Our neighbor was not happy at all with that. My kids are missing a lot of fun moments! They don’t have plenty of time outside. I am glad they will finally live in a neighborhood full of kids and hopefully full of fun and outdoor play!

Outdoor play has a lot of benefits for kids, like the physical development of their bodies. I am not saying they will become athletes, maybe some of them. Outdoor play helps the kids to move, run, climb, and jump. They become more confident with their capabilities.

Outdoor play helps kids be confident. The kids who interact which each other become comfortable socializing, defend themselves in need, manage their disappointment and frustration, and hopefully learn from their mistakes.

Outdoor play invites children to learn science. The kids like to discover, touch things and ask questions. Kids are curious, and this is an opportunity for parents to talk with their kids about various things. The structure of a leaf, for example. I showed my kids a leaf, and I asked them to open their hands. I asked them to tell me what can they see? what are all the things in the palm of their hands that can be similar to a leaf? I let them answer the question then I revealed the similarities.

The lamina and veins of a leaf look like the palm of our hands. I like to help my kids to observe and think.

Outdoor play has a lot of benefits for our kids, so hide the remote control, video games, and stop your kids from watching other kids play with toys or play outdoor on YouTube! I can’t stand those YouTube kids and their parents…ugh.