Researchers studied 885 children aged 18 months to four years old and assessed the correlation between three main factors – average daily screen time at age two, amount of outdoor play at 18 months and two years old, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
However, the negative effects of screen time on daily living skills were reduced by almost 20% when children engaged in outdoor play. GO Outdoors is encouraging families to prioritise outdoor play as a solution to mitigate the negative impacts of screen time. They suggest that spending time outside can help to develop communication and practical skills, and promote a lifelong love for adventure.
Family bike rides
Family bike rides are a great way to keep active and adventure further outdoors. As well as numerous health benefits, you’ll also get the chance to explore new areas, regardless of the weather.
Wildlife walks
Local walks are a great way to spot exciting wildlife. Why not take a notepad or camera to see how many animals you can spot on your next walk? Who knows what you’ll uncover when venturing through wildlife.
Go climbing
Climbing is fun at any age. Whether you’re traversing the bottom branches of a tree or skipping over rocks, climbing is an amazing adventure accessible to anyone.
Make a mud kitchen
Playing in mud can provide a range of benefits for children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. It can help to strengthen their immune system, enhance sensory development, promote creativity and imagination, and reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, playing in mud can be a fun and rewarding way for children to learn about the natural world and develop an appreciation for the environment.
Get creative with nature
As the seasons start to change and flowers begin to bloom, the colours, textures and sights of spring offer inspiration for artistic children. You could create a scrapbook from the things you find on a woodland walk, draw bugs you uncover on your adventure, or use flowers and leaves to create artwork.
Explore your local area
Engage your family in your local area by doing some research on exciting things to see and do near you. You may uncover the area’s hidden history or an interesting myth connected to where you live, helping little ones love where they’re growing up even more.
Build a secret den
Create a secret woodland base with your family, scavenging for the best building materials. Children will feel challenged to construct their dream den, plus they’ll have a wilderness hideout to play in afterwards.
Snap the best of spring
Capturing spring adventures is easy! You don’t need an expensive camera, just take a snap of the things you find and the memories you make in the great outdoors – in London there are plety of sights you can capture, whether you’re interested in nature or the urban landscape. You can even challenge the kids to create the silliest poses.
Learn about the weather
One thing that’s guaranteed about the British weather in spring is that it’s unpredictable. This season is a great chance to learn more about the weather and how the seasons can affect it, and what better way to do so than by getting outdoors?
Give nature a home
Cold weather and unpredictable rain can cause nature to hunker down in your garden. Why not try creating a bug hotel, putting up a bird feeder and creating corridors for creatures to pass in and around your garden easily.
To ensure that children are wrapped up and ready to spend time outdoors, check out GO Outdoors’ children’s clothing and footwear range: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/childrens/