Would you rather your kids played indoors than out?

I have no preference, I'd rather they played where they want to play. In reality, I think my boys are more imaginative in their inside play, and as I don't mind them 'taking over the house', I don't feel the need to send them outside. I don't think there is inherently anything 'better' about outside play, though I guess if they never wanted to go out I'd be more concerned.

They are more likely to start playing with the neighbours' children if they are outside, but then the play often drifts inside.

Definitely rather them to be outdoors. They enjoy it more so are therefore less likely to throw a strop. Everybody wins.

I don't feel unusual for doing this. It just makes sense.

I feel they learn more outside. About weather, what to wear i.e. wellies for puddles, gloves for winter. Creepy crawlies, birds, don't eat the red mushrooms, which berries are nice, etc.

Then they love swings, paddling, sand and I can't have that in my house so out they go.

Outside, definitely!

They sleep far better with at least 3 hours of outdoor running about under their belt.

I think it's great socially as well: in the park, woods or street they get talking and playing with children they don't already know, learn new games, negotiate, share toys.

Easy for me too. Just hold the coats and keep a close eye on the smallest

ds is 3.8 - I get him outside at every opportunity, nothing worse than a child who has been couped up all day! Bonus is on rainy days you get the park to yourself

I'd far rather they played out.

Good lord I'd kill them both if I had no outside space to shove them for at least some of the day. They're much better come 4pm when I start thinking about tea if they've been out and about.

Outside.
They run around far more and tire themselves out.

They are more likely to play together with neighbours if they are out.

They also tend to be far more creative and will invent games etc. If inside my two boys tend to ask me for the iPad or to go on the Wii.

Mine are aged 5 and 1 and in the warm months are out a lot more than they are in. I dont think Im unusual, but would say it was unusual to not be outside a lot, especially in the holidays.

Outside for sure!

My 5yr old dd goes stir crazy if she's not been out to stretch her legs & get some fresh air - I liken it to walking a dog they need to run around and get fresh air it's built into their DNA.

Nope my ds is out all the time at 4 and my dd who is 1 wants to be out constantly but can't yet walk properly!
We live in deepest darkest rural Scotland tho so its v safe and grandad lives next door, he is the only neighbour!

fuck no!

outside if at all possible, they can scream and shout and run and roughhouse and play football and go on bikes and dig and trampoline etc etc- inside they can do none of that without my head splitting in two.

out of interest- asked by who?

I prefer them to be outside. The play more freely, imaginatively and physically outside.
We have a postage stamp London garden too though, so spend as much time as possible in the park.

Doesn't that depend on (a) a lot of variables (b) what you feel they ought to be doing versus the practical realities? I think my children ought to be outside, because I am that sort of middle-class aware parent who knows all about Furedi et al, and writes about the value of Outdoor Play and suchlike. So in that sense I prefer it, and I would think that the majority of parents would feel similarly - it's a bit like getting people to tell you how much they drink, isn't it.

In practical terms I have a very small garden and my kids don't play out on the street all that much. If I lived somewhere that wasn't a rather revolting corner of Sarfeast Lunnon, I would turf them out a lot more.

As it is I swinge myself guiltily. In the same way I do about drink, really.