For kids, the arrival of spring brings opportunities for endless hours of outdoor play. This is good news for parents, as playing outside is instrumental to children’s healthy development. Before you let your kiddos run wild, teach them how to stay safe while enjoying outdoor adventures.
What Does Outdoor Play Entail?
Outdoor play can refer to structured activities, such as an organized soccer game, but it’s more accurately characterized by spontaneous free play that gives children the opportunity to wonder, explore and discover. Through this type of play, kids tap into their natural curiosity and engage their senses to learn about the world around them.
Incorporating Outdoor Play As Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Along with a nutritious diet, children’s immune support supplements and good sleep hygiene, outdoor play promotes the development of a healthy immune system and other health benefits including:
- Increased motor skills
- Reduced risk of childhood diseases such as obesity and diabetes
- Greater muscle strength
- Better self-regulation skills
- Extended attention spans
Babies, too, can flourish from having regular time outdoors. From crunching leaves to crawling through the dirt, nature never fails to provide an amazing sensory experience. Make outside time as routine for your little one as giving baby multivitamin drops. The earlier you start, the easier it is for children to embrace outdoor play as an integral part of their day.
Keeping Your Child Safe From The Elements
Teach your children to take proper precautions so they can fully enjoy their time outdoors while avoiding unnecessary risks.
1. Dress in Weather-Appropriate Clothing
There’s a popular Scandinavian saying — “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Outdoor play is not limited to ideal weather conditions. With the right gear, your children can play outside, rain or shine.
Spring temperatures can still hover in the 30s and 40s depending on where you live. Dress your child in layers to stay warm.
Between jumping in puddles, making mud pies, and digging for worms, rainy days are perfect for outdoor fun. Invest in a good rain suit or waterproof jacket, pants and boots, and embrace the filth that will ensue. The giddy laughter you hear will be worth it.
2. Go For a Goldilocks Amount of Vitamin D
Too much sun exposure can be harmful but so can too little. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 on children six months and older. Slather it on anytime they head outdoors, even on overcast days. For the littlest babes who are shielded from the sun while outside, use Wellements Vitamin D Drops to provide the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D.
3. Stay Hydrated
Keep a reusable water bottle nearby so your child has ready access to water, especially on hotter days.
4. Recognize Unsafe Conditions
Create a plan for getting to a safe location when there are signs of an impending thunderstorm.
This spring, focus on your kids’ health and safety. Choose vitamin supplements that support your kids’ growth and development, and offer plenty of opportunities to get out of the house and into the fresh air. By engaging in safe outdoor play, children can form healthy habits and create memories that will last a lifetime.