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

We have woods nearby and the grandchildren love going and exploring, making dens. We take a picnic, and when we hear the woodpecker try and find him. But he's very elusive and keeps well hidden. They love scrunching through leaves and we try and identify some of the birds we see. It makes a great afternoon outside.

Base it around a fun activity like a game of football or a picnic - they don't need much encouragement really!

We go for family walks, take picnics, make it fun with maps and a list of things to do. Just make it part of normal life. Also give then stuff to play with in the garden - buckets, watering cans, seeds to sow etc. And strictly limit screen time so they have plenty of time to make their own entertainment.

When younger I took them to a local park. When older they liked the adventure playground at the local national trust property.

Do things together such as feeding the local ducks, taking the children to the play park, going on a nature ramble, or a kick about with a ball. The list is endless, & most do not cost money, just time & we all know how important spending quality time with children is.

I go out there with him! We are lucky to live next to the beach and so family walks, rugby on the sand and wave jumping are all part of our family life :)

Get a dog its great to give them the responsability of owning something that relies on them to do most things like going out for a walk or to the park,throwing the ball etc.

To be honest that is one problem that we don't have with our two youngest Grandsons whenever they stay with us. They love been out all day and I love spending quality time with them. I take them for walks so that they can get close to nature. Too many parents let their kids spend too much time indoors on computer games or watching TV.

Make up silly games - get the kids using their imaginations to make up out door games...failing that, just bribe them with a picnic! haha

Offer to go out side and kick a ball with them or some other ball game, they always love that

Cam ping has helped us all to rediscover the outdoors. Even if we are reading, we're outdoors, watching the campsite goings on and chatting in between chapters.

If all else fails, change the wifi password !!

the garden is always popular, we have always started young with nature trails and outdoor activities, so no real encouragement needed.

Invite the kids friends to the park and if it is raining go to splash in the puddles.

I'm lucky that my son loves to play outside. We live near the coast so get to the beach as often as we can! He's always asking to go outside and play

I tempt my children out by getting them to plant seeds and tend to them nearly everyday .

bug hunts, go kart building and kite flying! The kite flying is amazing as they can make the kites on rainy days ready to fly when its sunny :)

Simply turn off the wi-fi...with no gadgets they can't wait to get out the door!

get out there with them, dont make a big deal out of it, just make it seem as normal as being inside

Open the front or back door. I am clearly fortunate that my son isn't a gamer and enjoys cycling, playing tennis or kersbie as I did when growing up.

DS is only 2 but he loves being outside, especially if he is 'helping'. He has his own patch of soil and gravel to dig and water and it keeps him occupied for ages.

I think you have to practice what you preach and get them motivated with treasure hunts and imaginary obstacle courses in the woods or park. If you get out and make it fun they in turn will want to do the same.

All my grandchildren love being outdoors. Even in the winter they put on their wellies and waterproof rainsuits and paddle in the sea or up and down the streams. The older boys love building dens in the woods, trying to light fires with their flints and climbing trees. It is best to just let them get on with playing and then clean them up afterwards. We usually take some dry clothing to change back into - onesies are good for this and then have a warm bath when we get back

Try geocaching! It's great fun and can be done all over the country

Make sure your kids have appropriate clothing for all weathers, take them to places that are interactive or where they can run about and enjoy themselves and take plenty of snacks when their energy starts to flag!!

Do things as a family outside - geocaching is a great way of getting outdoors having fun together. Walk to the park and do a lap around it before letting them loose on the play equipment. Visit the beach and have a walk along it looking for interesting looking stones or shells.

I agree that having a dog is great at encouraging children to go outside. They know that the dog needs to be walked for us to be "good" owners and that is all the encouragement they need, even if the weather isn't that great.