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Let Kids Be Kids Outside

When we get kids outside let them be kids! Let them run and yell, and be kids. Encourage them to explore nature. Kids often hear that they need to use quiet voices and walking feet in the house or in the school.

group of kids standing on hill with text overlay

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Let Kids Be Kids Outside

They need to get that energy out. That’s part of the reason why recess is such an important part of public school. Once they get to be kids outside: having fun, yelling, running, etc; using their excess energy they can concentrate a lot better.

Let them Run

A game of Tag is so much fun when you can run as fast as you want. The energy they burn off now will also help their bodies to still calmer at the dinner table or sleep more soundly at bedtime.

There are a lot of different versions of tag too. Introduce them to some of them, it will keep the game fresh, of them include:

  • band-aid tag
  • sock tag
  • blob tag
  • triangle tag
  • flashlight tag
  • drop the linguini
  • footprint tag
  • don’t get caught with the cookie

Let Them Get Dirty

Let them make mud pies with some extra things from your kitchen. A container that you lost the lid to will make the perfect mixing bowl. A spoon that you won’t miss from the drawer.

Hide and Seek

There are so many places to hide outside when you are a child with an active imagination… and when you think you can hide behind the trunk of a tree. Or because they are small enough to fit in places you would never think to look.

“Make an animal noise” is great for helping to find the last child a little faster too. Yell it out and the children left hiding will make an animal noise of their choosing, helping the seeker to find the hiding person.

Let them be Creative

The great thing about chalk is that it washes away with just water. It doesn’t matter what your kids draw on – sidewalk, trees, toys, etc. Let them get creative where ever they get inspiration. It just washes away with water.

Find some smooth rocks to paint and then hide them around your community for others to find. It’s a fun, simple way to spread some joy.

Visit a Playground

We like to go to the playground at least once a week, in the summer, very early in the morning, because the local playground equipment can get really hot. But any time that you can visit a playground is the best time.

let kids be kids outside

Remember to Just Have Fun

My biggest piece of advice here is to let your kids be. Remember how much you loved the playground as a child and let your children love it too. My husband, Blake sits back and cringes as our kids play, but he remembers how much he loved it, and how much they love it. Risky play is important.

As a parent, it can be hard to let your kids do things that you know can hurt them at some point, but they need to be kids.

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