Brett and I both agree that playing outside is a crucial part of childhood. Unfortunately, many kids in this technology generation don't seem to get outside enough. Brett sees this a lot with kids on the football/baseball team who struggle more than they should when it comes time to be active. We have made it a goal to not let our kids fall into that category. We know there will be challenges, especially while living in Texas. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm terrified of the idea of fire ants. Brett got another ant bite yesterday and his body does not respond well...his whole ankle is swollen and itchy. That alone has me considering never letting Brooke play outside. But I have to remember that the benefits outweigh the costs. Also, when I look at these pictures of her enjoying playing at the parks while we were in Oregon I am even more determined to take her out once the weather cools of a bit.
At the park in Baker
Brooke was actually a little apprehensive at the park. It was her first experience and she was a little overwhelmed with all the other new things she had experienced recently (new house/time zone/people)
Back at the grandparent's house she LOVED swinging every morning with grandma
At the school playground in Portland. She loved going down the slides... even though it took some convincing to let me allow it.
She only sat for the photo op (She went down on her back).
And loved crawling back up.
We may or may not have sent her down that slide and she may or may not have gotten air on the bump part....
This playground was inside but still fun. We met up with my mom for lunch one day and the pizza place had a playground inside. Brooke was a little young for the ball pit and big slides. Maybe next summer.
Brooke's first exposure to stairs and she dominated crawling up them.
How do you make sure your kids play outside regularly?
1 comment:
A fenced backyard. We can go out and he can run around wherever he wants and play with balls and things, and I have a lot of control over what's back there to keep it safe. We don't have fire ants though. But, you still have to accept that there will sometimes be bumps and bruises from playing outside, no matter how safe you try to keep it. We also like to go to the park. Do you get fire ants even in the parts that don't have grass? If not then parks with bark chips or whatever around the slides and things are a good option.
When it's ridiculously hot we do lots of water play, have lots of toys inside to keep him amused, and go out in the evening before bed so he gets a chance to run around when it's a little bit cooler. Shady parks are also great.
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