Getting your kids outside is not be the easiest task in the world. Computers, TVs, video game systems and the comfort of conditioned environments make getting the kiddos from the couch to the sunshine a chore. But, in the end, getting your kids – your entire family for that matter – outside will build some of the greatest memories of their childhood.
I’ve found two major keys to getting my kids outside: get them excited and practice, practice, practice!
Get Them Excited!
Kids are always looking forward to the next great adventure. So take advantage of that! Get them excited about what you’re going to do on your next big (or small) outdoor adventure.
If you’re a hiker, break out a trail map or that old isue of Backpacker magazine and talk to them about where you’re going. Show them the trail and what major landmarks you’ll be seeing. If you’re going to take lunch somewhere, tell them about the beautiful location you’ve picked. Or, better yet, find pictures – either online or through other resources – and show them where you’re going. Pictures, as it’s said, are worth a thousand words and definitely keep the attention of little kids.
Likewise, if you’re a snowboarder or skier, whip out the trail map and organize your plan of attack. Figure out which runs you want to hit in the morning, where you’re going to do lunch, and the must hits that you absolutely have to hit before the day is over. Again, pictures rule here. Find pictures of the mountain and of people raging down it. Show it to the little groms and get them stoked on ripping it up with dear old dad.
You’re overall goal here is to get the kids amped on the outdoor adventure that is yet to come. Get them talking about it, telling their friends and family about. You want them at the point where they almost (almost, I said!) can’t sleep the night before you leave. Excitement breads excitement and getting them amped up on this trip will mean they’ll be ready to devour whatever activity you have planned.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
What make a kid happier than making their parent proud of them? Not much. So spend time with them and practice whatever skill you’ll be using.
Canoeing? Sit on the couch and teach them how to paddle. Snowboarding? Try tossing the balance board out into the yard and playing around on that. Camping? Why not teach them how to start a fire in your house’s fireplace? Hell, I’ve even turned on a snowboard video and moved my little ones around to mimic the flipping and spinning that the pro on TV is doing. They love it!
Whatever you do, make sure you emphasize how important the skill is to their enjoyment in the outdoors and how much you are looking forward to seeing them do it on your adventure. They’ll love that their learning something new. But, and probably more importantly, they’re going to love the fact that they get to help out or keep up better on the next adventure. Contributing is super important to them and they’ll love that you’re letting them do that!
Overall Guidance
Get the kids involved, get them excited! Make them want to go and give them a skill set that they can use and contribute with. Your outdoor adventure will be far more enjoyable when you’re kids are geeked out on what you’re going to do and are amped on where you’re going to do it!
photo credit: Treetop Mom via photopin cc
IF those things don’t work, I believe a parent MUST require equal time outside PLAYING with time on any/all of their screens!