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

[PoppyMumsnet]

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

Standard T&Cs apply

I'm sorry, but I've never thought that the kids should be out of the house just to make life easier for me. Social interaction and exercise are very good, but need to be balanced with enjoyable educational work indoors too. Too many parents are keen to get the kids out of the house anywhere as long as it's safe. They often neglect educational interaction, especially socially, even on the computer.

Let's go and make some mud pies!

We just put our wellies on and out we go, whether its blowing bubbles outside, playing in the sandpit or swing, or even just going on a walk down the field or down the road, my girls love being outside. (If we only got more dry days!)

my grandchildren don't need encouraging to play outside I have trouble getting them to come in, I have lots of garden toys for them to play with

If any encouragement is needed, try to join in with outdoor activities, so as to make it fun and social - such a ball or skipping game

My son needs no encouragement to get out to play. He loves to go outside and would gladly be out there no matter the weather if I let him. He's four years-old and has a great imagination and with the beautiful places in England, we're always spoiled for choice when it comes to getting outside. We love going to Sherwood Forest and Thieves Wood as well as Newstead Abbey, Rufford Country Park, Clumber Park and our local parks.

Give them a time as to when you expect them to come back in and ensure they stick to it (unfortunately modern electronics just encourages kids to be physically lazy so you have to put your foot down when it comes to playing with games machines and the like)

I put swings and a trampoline in the garden, attracted most of the kids on the street and before I knew it they had the balls and bikes out for hours

Make sure that you go out as well! Make it clear that you don't mind them coming back dirty!

For older children I like to build going outdoors into the day - e.g. Ds cycles to school most of the time. Giving children skills to be able to do things outside helps too as they get older, and being in the Woodcraft Folk means ds learns bushcraft skills like whittling and making fires, along with knowledge about being responsible with these skills.

Generally I think if they have something interesting to see or do outside. Also, getting into the habit, if there are times when they regularly do go out, they will go out without too much fuss.

On Sunny days put a blanket out in the front garden and put some toys on it. The will soon have all the neighbourhood children coming into the front garden asking if they can play too.

Make it fun. Its easier with younger children because you can turn it into a game e.g hide things in the garden and encourage them to find it. With older children its a case of restrict their time on games consoles, ipad's etc and being sneaky. E.g my husband goes out in the garden to make a truck "for our little nephews" out of bits and bobs and before you know it out eldest son is out making a masterpiece with him. Luckily don't have older girls because I'm sure it would be very challenging.

Keep them entertained! Trips to the local park cost nothing! My kids used to love playing on the swings and roundabouts etc for hours. Also feeding the ducks packet of stale bread and it's a fun activity for them

I don't have any trouble. The children are sporty and love going for walks along the coast.

Tell them to stay indoors!

Get some fun toys for them to play with in the garden, anything with water is usually a good idea! you could also make some homemade ice lollies which you can get them to eat outside - once they are outside they usually like to stay out there and play

Find interesting things for them to do outside. I used to like diggng and finding insects hiding under rocks

sometimes they need just a gentle push into using their imagination - i used to get our son to paint pebbles - taking time to look at the pebble shape first and talk about what it could be, a car, a boat, a big monster etc. A big draw to getting outside is popping up a tent - kids just cant resist being in a tent - my son always liked to have his lunch in there like a picnic! I think water and sand is a great play thing (never leave kids unattended with water use just dry sand if you are doing cleaning while they play) but its great if you get lots of little pots like old yoghurt pots and put holes in them and let them play with them. Also i think parents are a bit too stressy and should let their kids play with mud - our son loved making mud pies and getting completely covered in mud (just keep some old clothes for mud play) - i always think when you get them in the bath and the water is absolutely filthy then your kid has had a good day playing out!

We're lucky as we live on the coast but I have found that having plenty of outdoor activities for them when they were younger helped. Chalks, sand pit, scooter, bikes, bowls, skittles etc

Make rules for when the weather is good, get out there with them if age dependent, get them to help you in the garden, be more mobile in general with your kids

Limit screen time on TV and all devices

Water pistols and a paddling pool entice the kids outside when the weather is nice :)

Just open the door and let them go, if they are allowed to play with water guns whatever the weather its a guarantee they will be out like a shot.

limit the tv and computer time .