After reading Kylie’s post about outdoor play, I felt challenged to get outside with my little man as much as possible, trying to average three hours a day. More than research pushing for more and more outdoor time, I have noticed that both Eli and I are exponentially happier when we get to play outside. Being outdoors makes Eli better behaved, kinder, less disruptive and more independent. During the summer getting plenty of time outside is no question, between my need to soak up 90+ temperatures and my water baby, we were constantly outside. Now that the temps are dropping and there can be some gloominess in the morning, peeling myself away from snuggles on the couch is a real challenge. Not only is my couch super comfy, but there are no bugs or dirt on the couch. I can fold laundry while I sit with some hot chocolate and then mop the floors while Eli plays in another room. I can change the temperature to whatever I desire and wear mismatched socks and an oversized button down. What I’m saying is that without the pool and the scorching sun, the outside doesn’t hold much pull for me.
We all know the myriad of things that we can do with our kiddos outside, but getting an average of three hours out there is bound to leave us searching for some new ideas. I’ve come up with some unconventional, but creative ways to get us all increasing our time outside. One of the most important things for me is making sure I have something to do, otherwise, I’m pulled by my to do list and want to head back inside. Getting your kids outside means you might get to read and write again, listen to an audio book, and make this time worthwhile for the both of you.
Feed Ducks: Eli will run around chasing ducks for an hour, tossing one pea out to them at a time. We bring berries, peas, and cheerios to feed our local ducks. I would recommend avoiding feeding the geese as most that I have encountered get a little aggressive and that isn’t fun for anyone.
Bring inside toys outside: Our wooden train set is a big hit, but bringing it outside? It’s like a whole new world has opened up! He builds new and expansive tracks, everything gets super dirty, but an hour and a half gets burnt up really quickly.
Create a cheap sand table: My mom made sand and water tables that Eli loves! The ready made ones in store are pricey and he adores the cheapy one he has.
Populated Parks: We have several parks that are about a 5-minute drive away, but there is hardly anyone at them. Meaning that I either need to play with Eli more or we are not there for very long. We will usually screw the commute and go to the busiest park around. I have to peel Eli away from the new friends he makes.
Puddle Jumping: If your toddler is anything like mine, he can hardly walk by something messy or wet without wanting to see just what that stuff is made of. Purchase a giant golf umbrella, bundle up and take advantage of the rain by puddle jumping in every puddle you find. Stock up on bubble bath to warm up after the rain!
Keep the Summer Toys Out: Pool noodle fights, sidewalk chalk, pool ring toss. Just because we are not swimming doesn’t mean those toys don’t still have a lot of use. Bonus, if you buy them now, super discounted.
Switch up your walks: Go down some country roads and point out the horses, cows, goats and sheep. Ask around and see which neighborhoods decorate best for Halloween. Scope out the best decorations and maybe plan your trick or treat route.
Dog Parks: If your kids love animals but don’t have any of there own, check out your local dog park. Dogs at dog parks tend to be friendly and playful and speaking as a dog owner myself, it’s always great to have someone to play with the pups. Just make sure you have taught your little one proper dog behavior.
Construction Site: Our neighborhood has been experiencing a lot of new construction and it has made our evening walks so much more interesting. Newly cleared sites or ones just framed are great for walking around and exploring. Once walls start going up, be careful to look for stray nails and such. Finding a big building site with big equipment is an extra bonus!
You pick orchards: It’s a great learning experience and gets kids involved in the process of procuring food, plus they get to run and climb and generally go wild.
Walk BMX paths or skate parks: During the day when older kids that would typically be using them are gone, these trails are completely open. It’s a fun challenge for kids to run up and down the hills, practice their balance on rails and climb up and down stairs.
Join Hike it Baby or an outdoor sports group: We are part of Hike it Baby and just signed Eli up Soccer Tots. It’s great to be outside, but not have the pressure of planning something all be on you! Plus, new skills and new friends.
Make Mudpies: It’s messy, real messy, but I don’t know a single child that doesn’t enjoy playing in mud. After the rain has cleared make mud birthday cake, complete with sticks for candles and practice singing the birthday song and blowing out candles.
Obstacle Course: While at our first soccer class, they had the kids doing an obstacle course, just weaving in between cones and kicking a ball, but I couldn’t believe that Eli could follow those directions. Bonus teaching them how to do the course means exercise for you too. I’m thinking it might be time to introduce hopscotch!
Picnic: We have been moving our meals outside as much as possible. It makes for an easier cleanup and is a simple way to increase our time outside.
Anything you have to add to this list?
guest
Awesome list! Now I want a sand table.
olive / 58 posts
Beautiful post with lovely ideas!!
olive / 59 posts
I only wanted to add–Please check the rules for the local dog park! I am sure that there are lots where children are welcome but in my (NYC) neighborhood, this is not allowed. This rule is broken all the time and it is actually really frustrating.
Dogs aren’t allowed in 2/3 of our parks and dogs aren’t allowed offleash in our neighborhood anywhere except for the small cement dog park. I have multiple times seen small children come into the dog park and start chasing dogs or pulling fur. Small dogs can be easily hurt this way. And small children can be easily hurt this way. All dogs don’t know that the kids are just playing and will escalate–running faster and faster and I’ve seen them start chasing the kids. There was an incident where I saw a 3(ish) year old child start chasing dogs, fall on the cement, skin up her knees, start crying, and then her father (who was watching from outside the dog park) came in and yelled at the dog owner. This struck me as ridiculously unfair and frustrating. What did that dad expect?!
So if you are taking your children to dog parks, please make sure that it’s allowed and then be sure that your children have good dog manners! (i.e. always ask the pet-parent if you can pet, never rush at a dog’s face, don’t chase dogs, etc.) And realize that your child is in their playground and your child could be (inadvertently) hurt. Just because a dog is brought to a dog park for socializing with other dogs (or even just sniffing or ballchasing with only their human in the only place that they are allowed to be off-leash), does not mean that they signed up for playing with children!
edited to add: I hope this doesn’t come across as aggressive or rude or negative–I love this list of outdoor inspiration. I just wanted to voice another opinion on this one point. And as both a human and dog mama, in a neighborhood where the local mama boards are constantly lighting up complaining about dogs and pushing for even more and more dog-free public space, perhaps I’m extra sensitive to this.
pear / 1547 posts
@WyattnewbabysMama: I second this 100%! And I say this as a 2 dog owner and mom of a 2 yo. LO only comes to dog parks with us if she’s up in the Tula (maaaaybe down if we are the only people there) and even then only if DH is with us so I have an extra set of hands. Having someone’s LO loose at a dog park when we were there would make me super annoyed and nervous. My dogs are good with my LO but I can’t guarantee other kids – especially if I don’t know how they’ll act. And dogs act differently in group situations. I would say watching from outside the park is fine though!
guest
Love this list! Gave me some new ideas, thanks! The dog park idea made me nervous too though; I liked your comment, wyattnewbabysmama.
pomegranate / 3225 posts
Thank you for these!! I also notice a huge improvement in my 2 and 3 year old’s behavior with lots of outdoor time, but as we live in an apartment, it gets hard sometimes!
apricot / 288 posts
I have actually combined hopscotch and obstacle course ideas before. I draw several shapes in a row on the driveway. Each shape has a different action associated with it (spin in circles, jump, touch your toes, moo like a cow, etc.). It’s a great physical activity and also great for testing their memories.
blogger / persimmon / 1225 posts
Lots of great ideas, thanks for this list!