Today's kids have access to more information than we ever dreamed of at their age.
And we're not saying that's a terrible thing. The same system that lets your kids play Mario Kart and binge watch 10 straight episodes of SpongeBob also gives them unlimited access to arts, other cultures and unlimited educational resources.
The problem is that kids are spending too much time staring at screens, and not enough time outdoors. And while parents have been telling kids to go outside and get fresh air for generations, today's kids are glued to screens at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.
And new research is showing that too much screen time can impact social development and affect learning.
That's why it's more important than ever to get kids outside, whether they're on your backyard swing-set, spending time practicing at the basketball hoop or off exploring your neighborhood.
Today, we'll look at ways to get your kids offline and outdoors, even if it's just for a few hours.
Set a good example
How often do you look at your phone? Are you glued to your iPad? If you're constantly checking your devices, your kid might think that's behavior worth emulating. Take a hard look at your own tech usage and think about ways you can change before you talk to your kids.
Everything in moderation
We're not saying to keep your kids unplugged until they leave for college. But it's a not a bad idea to introduce some tech-free time in moderation.
Younger kids should have frequent breaks from screen time, where they engage in face-to-face interactions, read, or play with toys.
Follow the "1 to 5" rule: For every minute your child spends online, or playing a video game or watching TV, have them spend five minutes doing something else. So, if they watch 30 minutes of TV, have them play outside and do other non-tech activities for 150 minutes.
Bridge the gap
If you feel like you'll need to drag your kids kicking and screaming from their devices, remember that you can find ways to bring their devices outdoors.
Some ways to do that:
- Go on a scavenger hunt – If your kids have their own smartphones, let them use them to document their discoveries.
- Take some photos – Indulge your child's creative side by having them go out and snap photos worthy of Instagram.
- Outdoor homework – On nice days, let them take their devices outside to get their homework done. Just make sure your wi-fi reaches your backyard.
Quality and quantity
Finally, remember that not all time spent online is wasted. Pay attention to what your kids are doing. Are they just consuming, or are they creating their own art, or learning new things?
If you’re looking for more ways to get your kids outside and active, Swingset & Toy Warehouse can help.
Installing a backyard playset – like one of our vinyl or wooden backyard swing sets – is another fantastic way to get your kids to be more active. It allows them to jump, climb and swing on a regular basis, getting exercise in a way that’s still fun.
Contact us today or visit one of our four locations in New Jersey to find out more about our collection of backyard swing sets, trampolines and basketball hoops. We're confident you'll find something that can distract your kids from all the electronic distractions waiting for them inside.
