With school being out for summer, screen time and digital distractions can be at an all-time high. Though it may offer your family a break from everyday stress, responsibilities, or schedules, research shows that excessive screen time falls short when compared to the connection and trust that are fostered when children spend quality time with their parents – especially outdoors.
Why Outdoor Play Matters
Outdoor play encourages families to take the time to be fully present and communicate with one another, as well as to work together and engage in hands-on experiences. Whether it’s swimming in the lake, kicking a soccer ball, walking the dog, or flying a kite, spending time together in nature helps to promote emotional connection by reducing stress and increasing relaxation.
And that’s not all. Research shows that adults and children who regularly spend time outdoors experience improved:
- Physical health
- Mental health/mood
- Sleep patterns
- Social skills
- Conflict resolution
- Creativity and vitality
- Cognitive growth
A Healthy Balance
While it can be unrealistic to spend all day outside together, it is important to plan for healthy amounts of screen time and outdoor activities.
According to the World Health Organization, children and adolescents aged five to 17 should spend at least one hour a day doing moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, and the Mayo Clinic recommends two hours or less of recreational screen time a day for the same age group.
At first, managing these recommendations and limits with already busy schedules may feel difficult. For this reason, experts recommend breaking outdoor play into 15-, 20-, or 30-minute increments and setting screen use for a specific time – like during the hottest part of the day or after dinner.
30 Family Outdoor Activities To Try!
1. Set up a backyard picnic
2. Start a water balloon fight
3. Have a backyard campout
4. Set up a lemonade stand
5. Pick wildflowers
6. Go stargazing
7. Make mud pies
8. Catch fireflies
9. Build a mini stick raft/boat
10. Watch a sunrise or sunset
11. Draw with chalk
12. Go hiking
13. Paint stones
14. Climb a tree
15. Take a bike/scooter ride
16. Build a backyard obstacle course
17. Go fishing
18. Raise caterpillars/butterflies
19. Play in the sprinkler
20. Plant a garden
21. Go on a nature scavenger hunt
22. Put on a backyard show
23. Play tag or flashlight tag
24. Fly a kite
25. Host a hula hoop competition
26. Play hopscotch
27. Build a bee bath to attract pollinators
28. Make petal/leaf self portraits
29. Jump rope
30. Try a new sport
Meet the Author
Abby Callahan, BA
Abby Callahan is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish and the distinction of Cum Laude. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chattanooga State Community College, earning honors through the Global Scholars Honors Program. Prior to joining CMC Media & Marketing Group as editor/digital content specialist, Abby successfully fulfilled roles in marketing and event planning, as well as strategic communications and storytelling for a wide variety of initiatives. Today, Abby leads ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope®, CityScope®, and Choose Chattanooga® magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
