He won't play outside!

[Fireplacedreamer]

I have a 5 year old who loves being outside. At school thats all he does, he enjoys running around the woods near us, going to football training and when people are around or we are available to play outside with him he laps it up. However... as soon as he is outside by himself he comes in. There is so much to do out there - mud kitchen, play house, football goals, basketball, bike, scooter, other garden games. It's a safe garden.

Why won't he stay out there alone? We have the double doors open from the living room so we can see him the whole time. Its not always a good time to be out with him as sometimes I'm feeding the baby, cooking the dinner etc. Any ideas what could be causing this problem?

I've tried asking him but he just stays he isn't sure why. I've set timers.. you have to stay out for 10mins then you can come in but still no joy. He has picked activities and I've helped set them up before coming in. Otherwise he is super confident but for some reason he won't stay out there 🤷‍♀️

Any advice? X

Does he play by himself indoors? Lots of children won't play by themselves ime, especially first children, I don't think that's unusual. He probably wants to be near you, especially if you have just had a baby, he might be feeling a bit insecure. All you can do is set up the activities and hope he will engage in them, I wouldn't be setting timers, it is taking all the fun and spontaneity out of playing. It's frustrating but you won't be the first parent who looks around at all the toys/activities and bemoans the fact that your child won't play with them.

It's probably because he's on his own TBH. Especially if you have a baby. He's probably feeling territorial about you.

If you're feeding the baby, can you not go out and sit in the garden with him while you feed the baby?

Sounds normal To me. I have 4 children and my youngest won’t play out in the garden on her own if the others don’t want to.

He's lonely outside on his own he has no one to play with.

He doesn’t want to be on his own out there which is pretty normal!

Don't put a timer on it! That's going to make it feel like a punishment not a pleasure.

He's lonely and wants to be with you. He's only little