Nancy Blakey:: The Importance of Outdoors for Kids

At our last meeting, we heard from Nancy Blakey about the benefit of kicking our kids outside...often. She gracefully encouraged all of us to spend a lot of time outdoors with as little structure as possible. Even in the rainy Northwest, we can do it! Zip those kids up in Gortex and have an adventure!

Click HERE for the recording of Nancy's talk. And for those of you joining us from work and can't listen, a summary is included below. Enjoy!

Why do we need to go outside?

• It goes back to hunter/gatherer days, when humans were fending for themselves and relying on physical prowess to survive. It's what we're made to do.
• When we're outside, mental fog is lifted and we see/smell/hear better. 
• For kids, there are fewer "no's!" outside! There's so much more freedom than when they're in the house and hearing "don't touch," "leave her alone," and "clean up that mess." 
• Even 10-15 minutes/day works wonders for physical development and imagination. 
• Kids are meant and built to climb/fall/jump/swing/etc and their bodies develop accordingly. If free movement is restricted, it can cause injuries later when they're involved in focused sports. "Unstructured activity" is important for all of their ligaments to grow properly and safely engage in activity for years to come.   

What stops us?

• Tools: "There's no bad weather, just bad clothing." Stick them in an Oaki or Tuffo one-piece rain suit and some boots and head outside! But it doesn't even have to take money--even a simple DIRT PILE can lend itself to hours of entertainment.
• Tolerance: for muddy feet, skinned knees + bruises, all the zipping in the winter, the laundry. You can do it.
• Time: There are two "time stealers" that can make free time outside more unlikely.
• Screen time
• Structured activities (practices, games on weekends, etc.) 
• Be careful of over-committing to sports and activities. It can rob your kids of time to...be kids (and don't forget about family time!). Just wait and limit. And don't worry about keeping them out of something--if they're destined to be Olympians, you can't stop that. Taking them out of something won't hinder their gifts and talents.  

Afraid of kicking them outside and leaving them to their own devices? Remember: boredom is a good thing! They learn to work with it! It's a driving force. Teach them how to be bored NOW because a bored teenager is worse. 

In the end, they won't remember clean windows or vacuumed rugs. They will remember tag with dad, planting potatoes, getting dirty and laughing. We're all heroes of our own lives + stories. But the heroes have to learn how to shoot the bow + arrow and fend for themselves. And that happens outside.

Tips:

• Walks: Part 2-3 blocks from your destination and walk. It's a time to talk and go slow. Make sure you allow time to take as long as it takes. 
• Keep exercise + exploring separate: Make sure you each get your time. Rather than counting "outside time" as a run with the kids in the stroller, take your time, then give them time out of the stroller. Do what you need to do to be a good mommy, but let them move. 
• Authenticity: Does your child have no problem playing outside...for hours...when mommy's cold and tired of pushing the swing? Be true to how you want to parent. It's okay to say "I'm too tired, figure it out, you're on your own." Give them things to get them going and let them go. Maybe encourage outside play that's less physical. Sidewalk paint, anyone? 

 Ideas:

• Gardening: a space that's their own over which they can take ownership. Easy and satisfying things to plant include potatoes, radishes, and carrots. Stake it out, bright and colorful, and tell them "this is your spot." They'll love it. If you're short on space (i.e. live in an apartment), buy a pot and seeds. That's their space. 
• Take a handful of pennies and throw them out into the yard. Give them a bucket and a mission: "Go find 'em!" To make it really exciting, give them a magnifying glass. They'll think they're rich and you'll delight in how long it takes them.
• Bury things in your yard and have them dig 'em up. Your yard won't win Backyard of the Year, but your kids could be endlessly entertained, which is a win.
• Go on a treasure hunt or go geocaching. Look it up.  
• Give them a disposable camera and one word: "bugs." 
• Give them a box + tell them to collect things that are green.

Places to go:

• Seattle Children's Play Garden
• Seward Park
• Boeing Creek Park
• Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
• Mercer Island Adventure Playground
• Seattle Waterfront construction (it's safe!)
• Ferry ride
• Bainbridge Island Kiddie Museum or Battlepoint Park

Recommended Reading:

Let Them Be Eaten By Bears: A Fearless Guide to Taking Our Kids into the Great Outdoors by Peter Brown Hoffmeister

Go Outside! by Nancy Blakey

The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids by Helen Olsson

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

The Kids Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up by Globe Pequot Press

50 Dangerous Things (you should let your child do) by Gever Tulley and Julie Spiegler

15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids by Rebecca Cohen

I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Kennifer Ward