Sedentary lifestyles for a generation of tech-obsessed couch potatoes are not new. The dangers surfaced long before the pandemic. However, if you have found that your children just aren’t as enthusiastic about going outside as they were before COVID, you are not alone.
It is a real problem for families across the nation and beyond. Suggestions that tech is evil are wildly inaccurate, not least because tech skills are needed in the digital age. Still, helping kids to establish balance should be a priority for all parents. Here’s how.
1| Enjoy family days out
Arguably the most effective way to ensure kids are physically active is to make it a conscious part of your family DNA. Spending more time together enjoying the great outdoors with fun and exciting activities will aid their health. And their happiness. As well as yours.
Beach days and watersports stand out as the best solution. Contacting a Sanger Boats dealer will help you find an affordable vessel. Boating, wakeboarding, and other activities on the waves are sure to make your summers all the more enjoyable.
2| Book outside-based vacations
In addition to single days out, families can look to give their vacations a greater focus on being outdoors. While it might not be appropriate to take young kids hiking up a mountain, camping is a great option. A few days largely away from digital tech is perfect for the soul.
You can enjoy a range of activities including cycling, geo-caching, fishing, rafting, and more. Likewise, building campfires is ideal. Or if roughing it isn’t your style, you could look to a skiing adventure instead. Time spent enjoying the slopes and fresh air will work wonders.
3| Revamp the backyard
While exploring local attractions and destinations further afield is vital, you can also look close to home. Your backyard is the secret weapon that can stop kids from spending all of their time on the PlayStation or iPad. Trampolines and basketball hoops will get kids outside.
You can also involve your kids in gardening duties and other outside tasks. They will respond well to spending time together. Of course, you won’t stop screen time completely.
Still, reducing it to a healthier level will help them rediscover the joys of outside play.
4| Consider getting a pet
Getting a pet doesn’t only unite the family in unconditional love for the animal. It also encourages your family to be more active. Whether it’s playing in the garden with a rabbit or taking the dog for a walk, daily step levels will improve. Again, it will be fun too.
There are many considerations that must be made before getting a pet. Still, spending time outside is a major benefit. It is further enhanced by the fact that it teaches kids the responsibility of looking after another living being.
5| Sign them up for a team sport
Team sports deliver a wide range of benefits for youngsters. Whether it’s finding the local Little League team, soccer team, or flag football team doesn’t matter. The fact is that your child will spend more time outside with their friends while actively enjoying it.
Playing team sports helps with social skills, coordination, physical growth, mental wellness, and so much more. Forcing youngsters to follow unenjoyable exercise routines won’t work but this is something they’ll want to do. And it will yield lifelong memories.
6| Enjoy eating outside
Spending time outside isn’t just about exercise. Other benefits include getting more fresh air, peacefulness, and meaningful conversations. If you can additionally combine this with improved nutrition, that’s great. Enjoying outdoor family meals is an ideal solution.
This could be as simple as eating your evening meal on the backyard dining table. Or you may wish to enjoy BBQs with friends and family. Another option is to take a picnic to the park. It’s another way to break free from the distractions of social media and gaming.
7| Take tech outdoors
Most kids now have portable gadgets and devices. Whether it’s a smartphone or a Nintendo Switch, those items can be enjoyed outdoors too. In fact, you can often combine them. Games like Pokemon Go! Highlight the potential of VR experience. Embrace it.
Kids still get the benefits of interacting with their games and even competing against friends. However, they’ll simultaneously be outside and getting active. It’s additionally a great way to inflame their imaginations and creativity. What more could you ask for?
8| Find a new hobby
Tech items are a great way to cure your boredom. But it’s far healthier when kids develop other hobbies and passions. When they do, they’ll be far more eager to get outside and enjoy their hobby. It will make your life as a parent far easier too.
Picking up a cheap digital Canon SLR can work wonders. Your child can then take photos of their adventures or time spent in the garden. You can also enjoy artistic endeavors like drawing outside or constructing items out of items found in the garden.
9| Lead by example
The pandemic made it very easy to fall into the trap of staying at home in your little bubble. Unfortunately, kids will pick up on this. By actively attending local community events and other outside activities, kids will soon learn to love them.
If you have found yourself working from home, this may need addressing too. Working from the patio or balcony could be a smarter move than staying in the office for eight hours per day. When they see you do it, kids will assume this is the norm. Don’t let this happen.
10| Set rules
When you are still worried about the amount of time kids spend online or on their tablets, now is the time to act. Setting rules, such as turning consoles off at a certain time, can work wonders. Above all else, it actively aids sleep patterns. This can transform your kids.
You can expect some tears and tantrums in the early days. However, they will soon adapt to the new routine. If you find that it’s raining outside after those gadgets are turned off, you can try board games, making a den, or watching a film together.
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