To think it is very difficult to convince DC to play outside when indoors is enticing

[pinkestpanther]

Just that really.

These days there are so many dopamine hits on offer indoors that it is very hard to encourage outdoor play. My DC are very resistant to playing in our garden. They will play outside if we go out to a park or beach, but it would be good not to have to go out for them to play outside.

I suppose it depends on what's in your garden / how big it is etc. and what it is your kids like dojng. We have a really big garden but neither of my kids are into kicking a ball around or anything so they didnt really play outside until we invested in stuff out there. Paddling pool or a sprinkler to run when warm enough, climbing frame with swings and now a trampoline. They are out there loads now but if it was just a patch of grass they wouldn't be.

You don’t have to give your kids constant access to iPads/computers or even have them at all. My Dc go straight outside to play in the evenings and weekends

If you want them to spend more time outside you simply make indoors less enticing.

We bring lots of stuff outside. It doesn't work for everything e.g. DS will spend weeks playing with a Magna-tiles creation that we can't move, but many things can come out. Plus they like riding cars etc round the garden and water play when warm enough. I often come out too which helps. Right now DD is giving a bee water as she is worried about it.

Thank you, yes they do have a few things. A trampoline and a slide, and a bit of sports equipment. I think it’s just hard for those to complete with some of the things they have indoors.

What do they have indoors?

I totally agree. I just wish I could enact this! (I admit it - I’m the problem, it’s me 🫠).

Do they have free rein to iPads, gaming etc indoors? Or books, Lego, crafts etc?

I think it can be a bit boring playing in the garden after about half an hour or so. I much prefer taking dc to the park or outside somewhere else. Kills a lot more time

They are constantly asking for screen time. We do try to limit it, but it is an uphill battle.

DC2 also loves to read and do puzzles, which is great, but sometimes I worry that she doesn’t get enough fresh air.

I never liked going in the garden as a kid - only interesting thing out there was possibly the cat. Dh was same -MIl used to chuck him out to their garden and get upset when he took a book - though he got to roam local area a lot with friends.

My parents garden wasn't big enough really to bike ride - and there was little else when they got rid of sandpit when I was very young. Snow days were okay. I was always perplexed what they expect us to do out there with very little out there and lots of plants to avoid - it wasn't a big space.

Ours have played out front - with bikes - other kids - and in back with each other and garden toys - DD2 used to go out by herself a lot late primary years - painting - playing. Last house DS used to like going out and crushing hazel nuts.

They were out last year - painting together in the sun as late teens. However mostly we've taken the out to parks when we used to live near good ones - or activties - or they've been in house.

What do they have inside that they like? Mine aren’t really kicking a ball about kids (will do it for half an hour but not all afternoon). They like pretend play so we have an outdoor cafe that they set up and they make it an ice-cream shop or whatever. My eldest is more into drawing and stuff so we have outdoor chalks she can use in the garden.

(although tbf we are now indoors watching a film, because it’s the middle of the day and 32C 🤣)

I think it depends on the child. I struggle to get mine back inside.

I knew this would be the problem. Get rid of the screens. It’s summer and they don’t need them

then take them out?

Do you fancy staying indoors yourself but they have to go outside?
If you want your kids to get fresh air, you take them!

Trying isn’t good enough, you need to actually limit it. Of course they’re going to constantly ask if there’s no clear rules and you constantly give in when they do.

Is there somewhere they can read outside? A comfy chair/ hammock / picnic blanket?

fabulous advice from someone currently on MN themselves 😂

I like the crushing hazelnuts idea! Very retro! Must try it

😁

Presumably an adult. There’s no reason to give small children unlimited access to screens

@pinkestpanther What’s the garden looking like? Do you have the space/finances for a little shed which could serve as a play den? What about getting them out there to plant seeds/paint pots/fill bird feeders? I totally get that the screen time brings respite when you’re busy, it does take a little effort to coerce them out there initially.

DD does love the outdoors, thankfully. One plan I have for the summer is lots of outdoor picnics, and one evening I’m going to sling a sheet up & some fairy lights, and project a movie out there.

We rent, so don’t have much capacity to enact permanent changes, those are some really easy ways to get them out there engaging with the garden. And if they’re doing something like planting seeds, they’ve got more of an investment in being out there.

Send them out with their devices to take photos of bugs and plants. You could get one of those cheap little black and white thermal printers they can use themselves (my 6yo can) and get them to take pics, stick in books, draw and write about them :)

Wish we had a garden, but downstairs neighbours let us use theirs which is v kind of them.

Yes, I think a garden refresh is in order. Will look into new play equipment.

Mine enjoy being outside more now they've got a little freedom and are allowed to go further on their bikes.
Although they've been outside in the garden happily this morning painting and doing crafts.

children learn by example. If you had children, you couldn't complain about their screen time while being on a screen yourself! *you might have, I don't know, it's not the point.