Childhood obesity is a serious concern for Americans. It’s so serious that First Lady Michelle Obama led a major public health campaign to fight it through exercise and healthy eating.
But despite these efforts, childhood obesity is still a problem, affecting nearly 13 million children and teens, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control.
Kids with obesity are more likely to deal with weight trouble as adults, which can lead to more critical health issues like diabetes and some forms of cancer.
It’s a serious problem that has at least one simple solution: getting kids to play outside more often.
Now, we realize that getting your kids to go outside and play can sometimes be a challenge. That’s why we’ve pulled together these tips from Good Housekeeping on overcoming some of the typical obstacles keeping kids indoors.
1. “It isn’t safe!”
News stories about child abductions and car accidents can make it seem like the outdoors are no place for young children. And parents should, of course, be aware of any threats, while also taking steps to deal with them.
For example, you can set ground rules for your kids, having them tell you where they’re going and when they’ll be back.
The rules you decide on should depend on the age and maturity of your child, the safety of your neighborhood, and whether there are other kids – siblings or friends – playing with your child.
You should also talk to other parents about keeping an eye on each other’s kids. You might even try to schedule times where parents can socialize while the kids play nearby. Even if your child has her own phone, it can be useful to have contact information for adults who may be supervising or at least physically closer to your child when she’s out of your house.
"There are things outside that can be risky, but keeping kids under house arrest has risks, too," Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder told Good Housekeeping.
2. “My kids would rather be on their iPads”
We get it: Fresh air is no match for things like Netflix, video games and texting. And while it’s a good idea to limit your kids’ screen time – the American Academy of Pediatrics says two hours a day – how do you get your kids to go outside?
Consider making your backyard more enticing. Good Housekeeping used the example of Nancy McCallick, a Texas mom who “has made an art of the child-enchanting backyard.”
Her kids have a tree house, catapult, and potato cannon, all homemade. At the time of the article, the family was working on a giant chess set and an outdoor dartboard.
If that sounds like too big a task, you could always go the traditional route and install a backyard playset or a trampoline – like our Alley OOP trampolines – to get your kids invested in the outdoors.
3. “But there isn’t anyone to play with”
How often have you heard that from your kids? Not every child is comfortable playing on their own, and the lack of other kids around the neighborhood.
One solution: Work with the other parents on the block to designate a few hours every day as “outdoor play time” where kids know other kids will be outside.
4. “We’re too busy!”
Kids and parents have hectic schedules, but everyone needs some downtime. Make sure your kids get some time to play each day; it’s as beneficial as their math homework, and more fun.
And set a good example by getting outside yourself. As Louv puts it: “Many benefits of getting out into nature — a greater sense of calm, reduced stress — apply to adults as well as kids.”
If you’re interested in giving your kids more outdoor play opportunities Swingset & Toy Warehouse can help. From swing sets to basketball hoops to products from trusted brands like Alley Oop Trampolines, we have something to appeal to all kinds of kids.
Visit our website, or stop and see us at one of our four locations, to learn more.
