Would you rather your kids played indoors than out?

We prefer to be outside. If it's not raining or snowing then we spend some time outside every day. We have a very large sandpit.

I don't think it's unusual to prefer outdoor play BTW, we live on a close of about 20 family homes and all of the children play outside when the weather is good.

I prefer them to play outside, British winters are long and miserable with plenty of time for indoor play so I prefer mine to make the most of good weather and play out. Dd3 and dd4 mainly play in the back garden where I can supervise but dd1 and dd2 are allowed to roam the village in order to play with their friends.

Outside. Fresh air and exercise is far better than sitting inside, IMO. Kids should be running around getting dirty - not sitting neatly inside watching tv or playing computer games.

god outside if at all possible. they have too much energy to be inside all day!

we have a back garden with climbing frame and trampoline (trampoline can be double edge sword as they love it but it can lead to fights and needs supervision)

or we live in a small cul de sac so they can play out which is great.

i dont mind them playing inside with lego eyc but they NEED to get outside and burn off energy.

ds3 has an injury at the mo and isnt allowed outside, its a nightmare!

OUTSIDE wo a doubt.
There is no way they can burn all this excess energy inside the house lol.

And it is a nice way to let them have more independence, time wo constant supervision of the parents and the opportunity to try things for themselves. They go on their bikes, play football, meet other children in the neighbourhood. What is there not to like about it?

Strange question.
Apart from the incident that required me to fish a half crunched snail out of DS2's mouth, outside, as they don't give me as much of a headache.
Inside they gravitate to the TV.

out. every time. less mess, less noise (for me, sorry neighbours), they are more creative and active. being out doors is a "good thing " in my head, I'm not entirely sure why. I just wish the out doors was bigger than our back garden, but until they are old enough to take themselves to the park it will have to do most days. we also try and take them to parks and on walks.

Also, outside means that the temptation to resort to tv/other screens as soon as they get bored is lessened.

Outside, definitely. More space, so they don't sound so noisy and they don't wind each other up so much. Also I do think it's better for them- fresh air, exercise and all that nature to learn about.

We have a big garden and live near a park, so they're out a lot. The only issue is that if I need to do housework they have to be inside with me- DD2 isn't old enough to play in the garden unsupervised.

Outside, because it's easier on my eardrums and gives them a lot more space and less chance of breaking things. Weather permitting, I would even prefer that they played "indoor" stuff on the table outside rather than inside, but when it it is really hot outside they do sometimes need to come in and cool off.

I would consider this a fairly normal attitude, but then we live in a rural area where children have the luxury of growing up with plenty of outside space, both at home and at school.

Nope, if its dry or even dry-ish, I encourage them to be outside! I'd rather they were playing with friends or on their bikes etc than sat inside watching a DVD or on the computer. I figure that inside stuff can be done in the evenings or on wet weather days and that we need to make the most of the good weather in this country!

During school holidays, I try and arrange days where we meet friends at parks with picnics or hot drinks if cold (plus kids am/swimming/museums) but then allow other days where they can be lazy and do a mix of playing out with local pals and inside stuff. I have days when I'd just like to curl up with a book so I do watch out for those days when the dc feel the same.

Outside, every time. Very lucky to have a decent sized London garden and live on the edge of a great common, along with 3 huge commons and Battersea Park within 10 minutes' tops.

DD3 is happiest when out in the garden/at the park by far. The other three only come out after dark, but in years gone by it was pretty much the same with them.

I was always chucking them out.

I'd like to know who wants to know this & why?? Not in a cross way, just nosey.

Outside. She entertains herself on her swing instead of demanding food/drinks/put cbeebies back on the computer because I've pressed something and it's gone off.

I would love more outside play, but it's not always practical. We have a nice garden, but unfortunately it has 5 very steep steps with sharp edges leading from patio to garden area. I dislike DS1 (5) throwing himself out there because of them (and his inability to look where he's going) and DS1 (1) would need a permanent escort. I'm not a garden person. If we had a huge flat garden with room for slide/dens/garden toys, or even a garden without the damn steps I would be more encouraging.

Similarly with the park, it's brilliant if DS1's friends are around (we spent 3 hours there today) but when it's just us on our own we all end up a bit "meh" with it. It's nice enough, but the 8 play pieces lose their appeal for everyone if we go too often and alone.

I think the benefits of outside - fresh air, running around, a bit of dirt, are brilliant - but my reality is that it's a big effort for me to motivate myself. We are going to buy annual passes for a local attraction that has a huge outdoor park area, and this is going to help me a great deal with this.

My DC's love being outdoors, the park, the garden just anywhere outside.
We're very lucky to have a big garden and they have a trampoline and a swing set etc.
I prefer them outside, nothing better than pitching the tent and seeing them play, eat outside and come in exhausted ready for a bath and bed!.
My house stays tidier as well

Outside.

I never realised until we rented this house with two large ponds. Now I cant give the kids free rein outside or leave the doors open at will. I thought it'd be a simple case of taking them out into the fenced off area and letting them play but i cant unless im sat there watching rigidly.

We spend far too much time indoors now, i just want onf piece of flat green grass that they run round, roll on, hop along and breathe fresh air whilst i watch from a chair!

Mine are always outside. They only really do screen time/inside at other people's houses. I feel we are all happier this way, especially the children's ponies who would get quite cross if they tried to ride them in a dining room rather than an arena

I prefer mine to play outside but where live for most of the year it is too hot with too much sun, about twice as much radiation as in the UK, so they end up doing indoor activities instead. They now want to move back to the UK and spend more time outside.

My house doesn't stay tidy for long, mind, that's a definite advantage to outside play.

I like a bit of both, but probably prefer outside. We live in the countryside but it's not that easy - no pavements, 60mph country roads, crazy bitey horses etc.

I love them getting muddy, climbing trees, hunting for mini beasts, jumping in puddles, playing in the sea or streams. I think it's important to feel connected to your environment so you learn to appreciate and care for it.

A close friend of mine is the opposite though, she is very risk averse. A walk outside with her and her DC is quite stressful - it's all "don't touch that/don't get muddy/don't sit down you'll get wet/ooooh wasps/stinging nettles/thorns about 10 metres away "

DD is 6 and plays out on the street with neighbour's children, it's up to her whether she wants to play out or not. I don't tend to mind either way, unless she's bothering me to fill up her water pistol ever 2 minutes or such like. We don't have a garden so this is her only chance of independent outdoor play.