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MNHQ

How do you encourage your children to play outside? Tell Persil for a chance to win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

425 replies

PoppyMumsnet · 22/03/2016 05:58

A new global study of 12,000 parents reveals children are spending on average less than an hour outdoors per day - and in the UK specifically 1 in 5 children never play outdoors.

In response to this, Persil is launching the Dirt is Good campaign, encouraging children to spend more time playing outdoors.

Here’s what Persil has to say: “We believe that children need plenty of outdoor play because climbing trees, building dens and just being in nature are essential for their learning and healthy development. That’s why we say that #dirtisgood. However, parents have told us that it’s getting more difficult to find time and places for their kids to play. So, in partnership with parents, educators, and other leading child development experts, we want to investigate ways to help children play and explore more so that they can learn and develop to their full potential.”

Persil wants to hear your top tips for encouraging your children to get out and play. Do you feel they have fewer opportunities to play than you did? What are the main obstacles to outside play and how do you overcome them? What, if anything, would you like to help you facilitate outdoor play for your children?

Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered in to a prize draw where one winner will receive a £200 Love2shop voucher.

Thanks & good luck!

MNHQ

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How do you encourage your children to play outside? Tell Persil for a chance to win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
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8
PixieChops · 14/04/2016 12:01

I have two children under 2 and they love being in the garden and outside. We try and get out every day, even if it's just for a walk. Otherwise if it's a nice day we'll spend most of it in the garden.
I can put out loads of toys for them to play with but my eldest (23 months) will always make her own entertainment. I think it's so important to let children get dirty and play outside as much as possible. It helps build their own view of the world as well as allowing them to play independently without being entertained by an iPad!

Lasplin84 · 14/04/2016 12:17

My children don't need any encouragement, the love being outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. I think it has helped that I always took them for walks in the pram or the sling when they were tiny so got used to hearing the birds singing. Lewin was a little tinker to get to sleep and the fresh air was they only way to calm him down and get him off to sleep.

rocketriffs · 14/04/2016 12:46

No problems here getting them to go out to play. Getting them to come back in is harder. Frisbees, footballs, kites, bikes and stuff like that make them want to go out and their friends are usually out playing too, so that's another incentive.

ann28 · 14/04/2016 13:02

Take a healthy snack outside for them!

keshimonster · 14/04/2016 13:45

Get them in wellies jumping in puddles! Collecting and looking at nature/wildlife and trips to the park!

DarthPrincess · 14/04/2016 13:45

Mine would live outside in a tent given half the chance. I've always let them get dirty messy muddy etc and I've never taught them that spiders and insects are dirty or horrible.... It also helps that we don't allow them on tablets/phones/ganes consoles etc. They have around an hour of TV waiting for tea to cook and that's it. Kids rely on tv and games a little bit to much now and I think as parents it's sometimes the easier option.

Firewall · 14/04/2016 13:52

My DC is often asking to go out so no encouragement needed! We do have lots if outdoor tots though and a trampoline which I guess helps!

gamerwidow · 14/04/2016 13:53

I finder it harder to keep my daughter in, she always wants to go out! We like to look for bugs and spot birds in the garden. She's just got a great children's RSPB book with a checklist that we're having fun filling in at the moment.

princesssmitheee · 14/04/2016 13:55

take the xbox away

Catsgowoof · 14/04/2016 14:23

open the door!

cookie09 · 14/04/2016 14:40

Most kids now are fascinated by their games consoles, ipads, iphones. We live in an age of technology and i feel that kids dont go out as much as we did when we was younger. I often tell my boys that we didnt have what you have when we was younger and told them what we used to do. I encourage them by saying that i'll come out and have a game of football with them or another sport. Kids like that interaction that you are playing part. It excites them. We have a rule that devices and games consoles are only for a set time a day, when the suns out we go out and make the most of it. After all those special moments are the ones you cherish and never forget.

cathyov · 14/04/2016 16:13

I do not like youngsters just playing outside in the close so we always head off to the park where I feel it is safer and I enjoy the fresh air too. Getting a dog also has encouraged daily walks too so plenty of fresh air had by all.

GeorgeW78 · 14/04/2016 16:47

It'd be great to have safe place to ride bikes that isn't on the pavement or roads or even near them really! Woodland walks are great for sparking the imagination but to start them off a nature trail is a good plan. You can find sheets to print out online & they have to find different bugs etc.

annmariec · 14/04/2016 17:08

No screen time they have no choice but to go out and play

handbar · 14/04/2016 17:45

My grandchildren do not need any encouragement to go and play outside. Fortunately the village where they live is very safe for this so there are always other children to play with. I would suggest you get them roller skating, rollerblading or skateboarding and they will want to be outside a lot of the time.

chr1ssy0908 · 14/04/2016 18:28

Quite simple really if they are still at a young enough age where they would want you to, simply go out with them and play and enjoy and lead by example! :)

BeeMyBaby · 14/04/2016 18:31

They love playing with bubbles which is only allowed outside!

PhilTB54 · 14/04/2016 19:52

Were going to the park. gets them out no trouble.

Santress · 14/04/2016 20:47

I'm lucky I have 2 boys that love to get dirty, though sometimes if they want a lazy day I have to try extra hard to get them going. I have a lot of garden toys and don't have them all out at the same time to keep thing interesting. I like to also get them involved in looking after the garden they like to plant seeds and watch them grow and water them - so I get them to help out with little not as energetic tasks if they don't fancy the usual running or digging or are tired.

jacqroberts68 · 14/04/2016 20:50

Football or park they always want to go out and play when you join in.

clauski · 14/04/2016 20:56

Leave the back door open and eventually the kids step outside to explore then love it!

Tonkatol · 14/04/2016 21:09

My tip would be to have a dog! We have three dogs and, although my husband walks them before the children are up in the morning on a weekday, weekends are spent outdoors with the dogs. We are fortunate to have woods just opposite our home and the children love finding different routes and particularly enjoy the "climbing tree" that they head for every time. We also take the dogs to the coast, to country parks and to local parks, so the children get to view lots of different areas and the dogs need walking whatever the weather, ensuring that, even if it is wet and windy, the children get some fresh air everyday. Have to admit that, if it wasn't for the dogs, the children wouldn't get as much outdoor time as I did when I was a child - no way would my children be allowed in the woods on their own, but I used to disappear with my bike, my friends and a snack for most of the day when I was a similar age.

ParadiseCity · 14/04/2016 21:13

Both DC do a sport, they tried all sorts and have each settled on one they love which are outdoors. So they get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Can I add - they have also both learnt how to wash their sports kits - I would love to see Persil ads showing the kids doing the washing. Or even a competent dad not a 'oh how funny daddy screwed up' sort. It's not just mum's job. Thanks.

lotsoffunandgames · 14/04/2016 21:27

My tip is to turn off the screens! They soon want to go out on their scooters and bikes or to play in the trees then. Otherwise it is hard.
Plus we love family walks in the country or to the local parks.

StickChildNumberTwo · 14/04/2016 21:38

We're lucky to have a big enough garden to have a slide and trampoline and those are the usual motivation for getting out. I've just bought shoes that are easy for my daughter to kick on and off that can live by the back door to remove one obstacle to getting out. Making time to go to the park is always a good one too.