In today’s world, where technology reigns supreme, it has become challenging to encourage children to engage in outdoor activities. Kids nowadays are more drawn to playing with gadgets than venturing in the natural world outside your home.
More than ever, it is important to encourage children to spend time outdoors not just to have a great time but also for the physical development of your child.
Outdoor play offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits for kids, including improved fitness, enhanced creativity, and the development of important life skills.
For Filipino families, numerous playtime ideas can be enjoyed together, allowing children to develop physically, emotionally, and socially.
For parents struggling to distract their kids from phones and other gadgets, here are some fun-filled physical activities from a member of the Batang 90s that you may bond over!
Outdoor Playtime Ideas
If you’re looking to make the most of your family’s time outdoors, here’s a list of fun and engaging outdoor play ideas you can do, even in your own backyard, or any open space, to help your kids of all ages stay active and connected to nature.
Fly a Kite
Do you still remember the natural high of getting your own kite off the ground?
One classic outdoor activity that never gets old is kite flying, and generations of Filipino families have enjoyed this traditional pastime. The Philippines is renowned for its kite festivals, yet it is rare to see children flying a kite nowadays. And if you do, chances are the kite is store bought.
Here’s an idea. Instead of a store bought kite, you can gather the kids and teach them how to build their personalized kites as a family. Have them draw their favorite characters or nature inspired images like flowers and trees on their kites. You can even have them paint their favorite colors on their DIY kites.
It is not just super easy but also super fun! The idea is to get them invested on their kites or any other toy for that matter so the idea of playing outside is as thrilling.
It is time to bring back this fun game as it teaches kids the importance of patience, perseverance, and problem-solving skills!
Go Hiking or Walking
Another activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family, even for toddlers and preschoolers, is going for a walk. If you have teens in the house, try hiking with them. Various hiking trails in the country are suitable for different skill levels. Head out to the peak and watch the sunset together.
Exploring the outdoors strengthens physical endurance and instills a sense of appreciation and respect for nature, engaging the young in physical activity and letting them explore and discover more in actual environments—and not through a phone screen!
Play Games
Traditional games are one of the best ideas and a great way to encourage outdoor playtime with the kids. Tag, hide-and-seek, jumping jacks, luksong tinik, patintero, and piko are entertaining and foster physical activity and social interaction, way more different and more enjoyable than mobile games!
They are simple to understand, require minimal to no equipment, and can be adapted to suit children of various age levels. Playing these games with your children allows you to bond with them while introducing them to cherished childhood memories you used to play with when you were young!
When you play outside with your kids, you can also encourage pretend play and have your child’s imagination wander off.
Spending time engaging in these physical and outdoor activities instills in the children a love for nature, the parents letting them be physically active, and kindles the joy of going out and bonding with the family.
Put down the gadgets, step outside, and create lasting memories with your children through these playtime ideas and outdoor activities!
Consider Sports
Outdoor sports such as basketball, volleyball, and football or soccer ball are immensely popular among children, too! Setting up a mini-court or field in the backyard or playing in a nearby park can provide hours of fun for the entire family.
Sports enhance motor skills, teamwork, and competitive spirit while also fostering a sense of discipline and sportsmanship.
If your family is not the sporty kind or still have babies and toddlers, you could just do a simple ball play or catch ball in your own yard just to bond with your family and have fun.
Water Play
Water play is a fun solution especially on summer time. Cool off a hot day with some fun water play. Who says it should be mess free? Instead have a carefree afternoon with the whole family. Build a water wall to break off from the heat.
Grab a hose and start a water fight. Gather some dirt and ball them up into mud pies. Create some course challenges and the loosing team gets doused with a bucket full of cold water.
Have a Weekend Family Picnic
Picnics in scenic parks or lake gardens are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while bonding as a family.
Organizing a food picnic, preparing the food, and packing meals together give the little ones a glimpse of some life skills, let them share responsibilities, and develop a sense of gratitude for quality time spent with loved ones in a peaceful, relaxing setting.
It is an advantage if you have a home with resort-like amenities and upscale facilities that cater to outdoor family activities, and if you are looking for one in the Philippines, you can find a home like this with Camella.
Outdoor Camping
Camping, whether up the mountains or just outside your home, is an excellent way to disconnect from technology and commune with nature. Pitching tents, starting a campfire, and telling stories under the stars create lasting memories for you and your kids.
Camping teaches self-sufficiency, problem-solving, and resilience while fostering a love for the outdoors among children.
Conclusion
Whatever outdoor play ideas you come up should not matter so much. The important thing is to get kids unhooked from their gadgets and get them to play outside. Every outdoor play should be an opportunity for you and your kids to bond and create memories together
In Camella, there are plenty of open spaces and amenities that allow the families to enjoy each other’s company.
Well played, parents!
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