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

Going on short walks from an early age- walking , talking, observing nature. When my now 15 year old (device obsessed) pointed out a beautiful view the other day whilst we were on an early evening walk I was so pleased she was taking notice of nature.

Get a few of their friends round and organise a treasure hunt, Skipping contest, Rounders etc

Join in with the children and what they are doing. Go out together for walks in whatever weather (buy some good waterproofs first thou!!).

Have plenty of outdoor toys to encourage them to go out. Take them to the park. :)

My children love exploring outdoors. They also have their own area in the garden to plant up as they want. This encourages learning, fun and gives them a great sense of pride and achievement.

Talking about helping with the housework then they are usually off out.

Get there coats and wellies on and send them ladybird hunting! They love it!

make it a regular thing. drag them out every day. then they'll get used to it

Leading by example and going out as a family to have fun

My ds loves being outdoors but i know children that do not like to go outside often though it is because they just do not know what to do unless there is something obvious like toys outside or a park that they can see. I love getting kids interested in nature, there are many kids websites that offer free printables, find some with things for them to find, for example trees, insects or small animals, if you can laminate them or pop them in a poly pocket and allow them to go on a hunt and tick them off as they see them, this can keep kids entertained for hours.

Encourage them to make friends with the neighbours children and make them welcome,children are much more likely to want to play out if they have friends to play with

I have made my parents garden a really interesting place for my great niece Olivia to play in. I've created a fairy garden & also a butterfly garden & she loves to go & investigate & knock on the fairy doors. She also loves the wildlife as we feed them very well & get lots of visitors to the garden

I just open the door and turn the TV off. My daughter loves all forms of play and entertainment so if I say no TV and open the door, she just goes out and plays in the garden :)

I always encourage them to take our dogs for a walk as we have access to farms & fields, the kids enjoy jumping in puddles climbing trees looking at nature running themselves silly and the dogs get a good walk. It's a great way to tire the kids and the dogs!

Turn the TV off open up the sand pit and putting lots of toys outside is always a good start!

Play with them! I find that my son will play outside more then :)

Buy a trampoline and that will get them into the garden in no time

Suggesting fun things to do such as building dens :)

They love to go out and play and with a secure garden I feel they are safe doing so. Playing in the street is a bit different because even in a quiet area you have to supervise.

On reluctant days, a treasure hunt or something specific to do outside is a good trick to get them to join in.

Make it fun for them to be outside instead of just telling them to go out with a ball to entertain themselves. I've found getting them to engage with the garden really helps e.g. get them involved in planting some vegetables/fruit or even just some flowers. They can't wait to get out every day to look after the plants and the look of wonder on their faces when they can reep the rewards by eating the produce is brilliant.

I don't really have any issue getting them out, wellies on if the puddles are out or helmets on for scootering or cycling. They love popping down the local park to go in the play area, but funnily enough they are too tired to walk when it's time for school!

Ok - I might get some people disagree with me but GET OUT WITH THEM - Enjoying the great outside is good for us all - Do the Gardening whilst they play - Go for a walk on the beach etc and let them play - You are never too old to be young

I send them out on a treasure hunt with 10 things to find and bring home- eg a green leaf, a ring pull, a yellow flower (not from anyones garden, but plenty of dandelions around....) a white stone, a black pebble, a feather etc.. then if they find all 10, they get a reward.

Long walks along the beach with the promise of some chips oor an ice cream half way there.

Suitable clothes provided and their favourite wellies, my boys love being outside in all weathers. A hot chocolate drink helps to keep them 'out there'!