The holidays are right around the corner, and you’re still probably wondering what gifts to get them!
It can be hard trying to keep up with the latest toys. Every week is a new trend, and many parents don’t want to shell out tons of money on a gift their kids will only play with for a few weeks. This year, think about giving them a gift they can use for years – a backyard swing set!
Sometimes, you may look at your children playing the latest game or watching something on a tablet and wonder where exactly things went differently than when you were a child. The thing that you need to realize is that it doesn’t have to be a situation where a kid only likes one thing or the other. Instead, the best way to think of it is what can you do to make it more exciting for your child to play outside? There’s a lot of clever ways to do it.
For one example, let’s draw from one of the classic (and frustrating ) sights of early parenthood—seeing your child drawing on the wall. Inside, this means a new coat of paint, but outside, this can be a great way to get some sun. Just set up an outside chalkboard along the fence or somewhere else and let their creativity run wild. This way, even if your child isn’t the type to run around, they can still do what they love outdoors.
When summertime rolls around, everyone wants to find a way to beat the heat, but one smart way to do it without having to go to a pool is to introduce some water elements in the backyard. We may all remember the classic playing in the sprinkler, but there’s even more you can do, like playing with water guns or even a soaked sponge and setting up an impromptu game of water tag. Another idea, if the local climate is up to it, is not staying inside on a warm and rainy day. Instead, put on your swimsuits and play outside as usual.
If you’re starting to get your kids playing outside in the yard more, it’s important that you do your part as well, by making sure that you check to make sure the yard is safe. Make sure that any yard tools you were using before are safely and securely put away. Use substances that are softer than the ground, like sand or wood chips, where children have a high chance of falling down. Also take the time to teach the kids about things to avoid, like trying to touch wildlife.
In some cases, it may not be a matter of encouraging your children to play in the backyard more, but giving them the means to do so that they would enjoy. After all, children learn different, act differently, and play differently as well. A good idea may be taking a look and see what they enjoy doing when they go out to a playground or other outdoor area. If they pass tons of time away on a swing, it may not be a bad idea to purchase a swing set for your backyard. By doing this, you have an easy way for them to get some outdoor play and exercise, no matter what your day’s schedule is looking life.