Families For Life | Turn the outdoors into your learning playground!

Sunshine, fresh air, and a world of discovery! Outdoor play isn't just a fun way to keep kids entertained, it's a playground for their physical, mental, and social development. Spending time outdoors offers benefits that are crucial to your kids’ growth, development and well-being. Read on to discover the benefits of outdoor play, and ideas that introduce your kids to the fun outdoors!

Benefits of playing outside

There’s various developmental benefits to letting your kids interact with the outdoors. It can also develop their sense of belonging to the community around them too. Some benefits include:

1. Developing their soft skills

Being outdoors provides kids opportunities to use their prior knowledge in real-life scenarios, such as reading, communicating and number knowledge. Soft skills like observing, predicting and inferring are also in play as they explore the outdoors.

2. Promoting better physical health

It goes without much saying that getting more time outdoors and time in the sun promotes better physical health, emotional well being, and reduced risk of developing myopia in your kids!

3. Developing their interpersonal skills

When children play outdoors, they have numerous opportunities to interact with their siblings or peers, and learn to settle disagreements in healthy ways.

4. Promoting their sense of wonder and curiosity

Being outdoors encourages children’s spontaneous exploration and discovery. This provides areas for kids to become inspired and motivated to explore, discover, think, and reflect about the world outside their home.

Get started with outdoor play!

Outdoor play doesn’t have to be a big deal. It can be as easy as a short trip to the nearby playground, or walking through a park connector. It’s good to encourage your kids to play outside several times a week to absorb the full benefits of outdoor play.

With older children, sometimes you just have to send them outside and let them come up with their own games. You can also encourage them to engage in imaginative play by using materials like sticks and leaves they find.

For younger children, staying close and offering guidance is important. Toddlers and preschoolers are eager to explore their surroundings and develop their physical skills. Toys like balls for throwing and catching or bubbles to chase can spark their interest. Encourage them to explore sensory experiences like playing with sand or small amounts of water, but keep a watchful eye!

Babies can also benefit from being in an outdoor environment. Bring a clean mat to engage in tummy time or to let them watch trees move and listen to birds. You can also point out colours and street signs to help them build their recognition skills.

Taking safety precautions

All children need and want to take risks so that they can explore limits, create new experiences and develop their capabilities. Nevertheless, parents must still exercise due diligence in ensuring that all safety precautions are taken when bringing your children outdoors.

Ensure your kids are suitably attired in comfortable clothes that are easy to move in.

Apply sunscreen if the weather is bright and sunny.

Set a space or boundary for them to play in to ensure they are always in your line of sight, in case they encounter danger.

Prep a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic and gauze in the event your kids get injured.

Playtime isn't only fun and games (although it's definitely that too). It's an important opportunity for families to build strong bonds and connect through shared experiences. On top of visiting playgrounds and running in open fields, you can also bring your family to enjoy crafting workshops and sports tryouts at National Family Festival events nationwide this June school holidays. Remember to bring lots of water to stay hydrated, put on sunscreen and most importantly, have fun together!