It’s easy for kids to get caught up watching screens for hours rather than engaging in active play. Dragging your kids away from online movies, social media, and video games can seem like an uphill battle. At our New England summer camp for boys ages 7-16, we know boys quickly realize they don’t need technology to have fun – and often have more fun without it, immersing themselves in outdoor activities at camp. Fortunately, you can achieve the same results at home with these simple ideas on how to get your son to play outside more in 2025.
Plan a Playdate or Outing
Helping your child realize the benefits of outdoor play can be as simple as a planned outing to a local playground for younger kids or hiking at an interesting park or nature preserve for older tweens and teens. Invite their favorite friends, planning a special snack or picnic lunch. If friends can’t attend, make it a family event and lead by example, joining your kids on their outdoor adventure and reconnecting with your inner child or outdoor explorer.
Outfit Your Backyard with Hard-to-Resist Items
Boost their excitement to go outdoors with enticing play equipment like climbing frames, swings, a sandbox, or an inflatable pool. Lure them outdoors to try something new, picking up fun backyard additions like sidewalk chalk, stomp rockets, toy cars and diggers, or colorful toy balls. Offer inspiration on the fly, providing jumbo cardboard boxes, lawn furniture, and old sheets and blankets for fort building.
Play in the Dark
Playing under the moon and stars with siblings or friends can be especially exciting for children. Improving outdoor lighting with fairy lights, solar spotlights, and lanterns allows kids to enjoy the outdoors safely while being monitored by parents. If this isn’t a regular option, consider the occasional overnight home camping session, allowing your kids to camp in the backyard while providing supervision appropriate to their age and maturity level.
Watch – and Play Sports
Watching network sports and attending local high school and college games can inspire your son to try and mimic a pro athlete’s moves. Take advantage of this opportunity, bringing your child to a nearby sports facility or signing him up with the local softball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, track, or indoor swimming league.
Take Advantage of Snowy Weather
Your child should absolutely spend time outdoors when it’s cold. Bundle up and sled, build a snow fort, have a snowball fight, craft an army of snow creatures, or make up your own icy weather adventures, indulging in Mother Nature’s fleeting snow amusement park.
Grow Your Own Food
Growing fruits, veggies, and herbs in your yard inspires a better understanding and appreciation of nature and food production. Seek out the sunniest spot to ensure success, starting with low-cost, low-maintenance herbs like parsley, dill, and cilantro and work up to more exciting and labor-intensive choices.
Plan a Seasonal Camping Trip
Spring and fall weather are perfect for camping at a local campground or nearby national park, offering the ideal opportunity for kids to explore new places and activities like hiking, kayaking, fishing, and cooking outdoors.
Schedule Special Outdoor Adventures
Splurge, spending your time and money on a unique family outing like horseback riding, llama trekking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, deep sea fishing, whale watching cruises, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and more, depending on what’s available in your area. Discovering new interests together will create family memories your kids will carry into adulthood.
Take Advantage of Nearby Boys’ Overnight Camp Programs
Make the little changes necessary to help your child feel healthier and happier with these and other tips on how to get your son to play outside more in 2025 from Camp Mowglis outdoor adventure experts. Incorporate more outdoor fun into your son’s life with an annual trip to our boys’ summer camp in New Hampshire. Contact us at 603-744-8095 to learn more about our program and secure your spot today.
