I was lucky, because both my husband and I grew up in families with the same belief. Yes, I admit we do not have sub-zero temperatures here, but I have lived in much colder places. We grew up sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing and more. In fact, when we visit with the kids, my friends from up North comment that my kids spend more time outside in one week than their kids do all month. Cold is not an excuse (Dangerously cold is!)
Unstructured play means that we just let our kids be. They play. They create. They use their creativity. Although we do many activities outside, like gardening and painting, I am working harder at not providing them with how to play, rather just encouraging it!. Our natural playscape area has helped. A recent addition of this (not very pretty, but usable and inspired by this post) and the kids went to work weaving – I didn’t say that was what it was for, but I was sure hoping they would use it!!!
I know that I am not alone on preaching the importance of playing outside… Just look around the web at some amazing families and blogs.
Just Playin’ Around
Little Wonders’ Days
Mama Smiles
Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns
The Educators’ Spin On It
What Do We Do All Day?
What lucky kids you have!!! I still struggle with getting the kids out in colder weather (and yesterday it was TOO cold!) But I'm getting better, and – like you – I see HUGE benefits!!!
We love playing outdoors, and I just love seeing more and more bloggers encouraging unstructured play! One of the big benefits I notice is that when my daughter gets a lot of outdoor play time she falls asleep at night so easily. 😉
Thanks for adding our link! We love outside play 🙂
I admit that I struggle with outdoor time in the winter (I grew up in the south and I'm a wimp!), but I am also of the position that outdoor play is VERY important, so increasing outdoor time is a goal of mine. Right now we are almost all unstructured play, but we will soon be adding weekly nature walks/study…so in a way, our kids will be graded on outdoor time. 😀
Brittney
http://www.moms-heart.blogspot.com
I love the times we spend most of the day outside. The day goes by far more smoothly and we both enjoy ourselves more. I love this post. Spread the awareness! Thank you for sharing 🙂
True we love to be outside! Even in winter.
YEAH all my outdoor play loving parents =) I woke up this morning to all these wonderful comments and it truely made my day! What a gift we are all giving our kids!!!! While some of you struggle with winter, we have a hard time getting our 2 hours in the summer when it gets 100+ degrees.
Brittney – I love your idea of grading outdoor nature walks. Even if it was as simple as keeping a log of what your did and completing or not completing the time outside. That way you could tie in writing too!
Great round up. We struggle sometimes to find time for outside during a week, but we make a point to be out and about every weekend.
Our goal for the new year is to play outside every day {weather permitted}. We have been loving it…and even going outside when I used to say no {such as rainy days}.
I'd love for you to link up any outdoor play posts to my outdoor play link party: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/p/come-play-outside.html
Thanks for creating this Outdoor Play link… just pinned it too for others to join. Can't wait to see our little ones outside and playing!
Wonderful post! I totally agree with everything. Lovely photos too.