In the age of Netflix, iPads and the Nintendo Switch, getting kids to unplug and play outside might seem like more of a challenge than ever before.

One way to get kids to venture outdoors is by offering them books that are inspired by nature. Here are a few picks that will hopefully encourage outdoor play in your backyard this summer.

As we write this, we’re in the midst of March Madness and the end of the college basketball season.

But for the potential NCAA stars of tomorrow, or kids who just like shooting baskets at the family basketball hoops in their driveways, the season is just getting underway.

We have several months of warm weather to look forward to, which makes this the perfect time to put together this sequel to last year’s list of basketball games for kids.

Here are five basketball games for children of all skill levels. Give them a try when the outdoor play season kicks into high gear.

There's more to outdoor play on your swing set than just swinging back and forth.

Spend enough time reading parenting blogs – the way we do – and you'll see that there are a lot of fun, developmental activities for kids that involve swing sets.

Whether you’re a fan of vinyl or wooden swing sets, there's something on this list from The Inspired Treehouse to help your child grow and have fun.

Your children are home from school. They’re out on the wooden swing set in your backyard, or engaged in some sort of outdoor play.

The school day may be done, but in a way, they’re still in the classroom. That’s because spending time outdoors helps them learn and grow.

“Green environments are an essential component of a healthy human habitat,”: says Dr. Frances Ming Kuo, an internationally-recognized expert in the relationship between nature and human health.

She uses the term “Vitamin G” (as in “green”) to illustrate how important it is to spend time outdoors. Just like vitamins A or D (which you also get from spending time outside), being in nature is something we need in regular doses.