It’s tempting to let your children spend cold winter days inside, in front of the screen, especially when it’s raining or snowing. But it’s important to make spending time outdoors a priority, even if it’s just for a short excursion. All you need is the right gear – and the right attitude. No matter the weather, make sure you don’t miss out on the benefits of getting your kids outdoors during the winter. Why is it so important to get your son out of the house?
Spending Time Outside Boosts Kids’ Immune Function and Overall Health
At overnight summer camp, kids quickly see that when they unplug and spend time outside, they feel better, even if they don’t understand why. Sunshine plays a crucial role in Vitamin D synthesis and regulates circadian rhythms, supporting a healthy sleep cycle. Seven out of ten children ages 6-11 are deficient in this vitamin, which is integral to immune function, hormone production, mood, bone, and muscle development.
Outdoor Play Builds Children’s Muscles – and Brains!
Learning isn’t all in your head. That’s why kids who enjoy outdoor play perform better in school. Engaging in fun outdoor activities that require balancing, running, rowing, climbing, jumping, and operating outdoor equipment builds new connections in the brain. Neurons forge new pathways, facilitating cognitive development alongside muscle and fine motor skills, improving concentration and learning.
Time Spent in Nature Balances Energy Levels and Mood
Time spent outdoors in natural settings can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol, reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety. Just a short outdoor walk can relieve symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), mental fatigue, and depression, putting your child in a better frame of mind. Outdoor activities can also balance energy levels, improve attention and concentration, and restore the mind, lessening ADHD symptoms.
Interactive Play Helps Children Build Key Social and Life Skills
Face-to-face, collaborative outdoor play boosts creativity and helps children learn the art of conversation. It also teaches essential life skills like empathy, cooperation, compromise, problem-solving, sharing, and self-control, which are often lost in virtual experiences.
Immersion in Nature Helps Kids See the Bigger Picture
Mother Nature’s wonders cannot be fully understood without swimming in a sparkling lake, hiking in the woods, seeing wildlife, and appreciating a beautiful sunset. These experiences help children understand their role in the world and the ripple effect of their actions.
Tips and Tricks for Cold Weather Outdoor Play
If you want to get your son to play outside more, warm, comfortable winter clothing and shoes are essential. We recommend that parents invest in these themselves as well so they can comfortably spend time outdoors with their children and share why this is a priority for the whole family. Encourage your son to invite friends, which often inspires longer, more frequent playtimes. Explore a variety of things for kids to do when it’s cold outside, taking note of favorites and rewarding your child with hot chocolate, hearty soup, or warm cookies on return.
Improve Health and Well-Being with Regular Outdoor Play
Reap the benefits of getting kids outdoors during the winter and year-round. Help your child unplug with a fun-filled summer at Camp Mowglis. Contact us at 603-744-8095 and reserve your child’s spot for the upcoming boys’ overnight camp season today.
