The term "great outdoors" comes from the fact that playing outside is beneficial to the development of children. Playing outside benefits their physical, emotional, and artistic development!

While playing outside is great for primary school students, it takes on tremendous competition in the twenty-first century. The temptation of smartphones, tablets, and a never-ending supply of new video game consoles has made it more difficult than ever to encourage children to play outside. Parents are finding innovative methods to make their outdoor spaces more appealing; here are eight tips we've listed to encourage kids to play outside.

Encouraging your children to play outside may be both enjoyable and healthy. Here are a few simple approaches to consider:

1.     Play outside together: Outdoor play can promote social interaction. Join your children in their activities, whether it's hide-and-seek or creative play. Being involved makes it more enjoyable for everyone, and your children will be more likely to love playing outdoors if you engage.

2.  Support their outdoor activities: Encourage your children's outside activities, such as going to the park or playing sports. By taking and monitoring them, you demonstrate the importance of outdoor joy and encourage children to spend more time outside.

3.     Try old school games: Introduce your kids to popular outdoor activities such as hopscotch, hide & seek, marbles, etc. Sharing your favourite childhood games can encourage kids to have fun outside too.

4.  Get them interested in sports: Encourage your children to try sports that they like. Sports, whether it's cricket, badminton, kho-kho, etc., can motivate kids to get outside and develop their abilities.

5.  Embrace risk and adventure: Encourage kids to take moderate risks and explore adventure through outdoor play. Give children the opportunity to climb, balance, and explore natural terrain, helping them to gain confidence, resilience, and problem-solving abilities.

6.     Use nature-based play materials: Introduce natural play materials like sticks, pebbles, leaves, and dirt into outdoor play areas. These open-ended materials promote imaginative play, creativity, and sensory experiences, connecting children with the natural world.

7.     Offer outdoor playtime breaks: Provide regular outdoor playtime breaks throughout the school day to help kids recharge and rejuvenate their brains and bodies. Outdoor play breaks enhance focus, attention, and academic achievement and also increase  general well-being.

8.  Educate about the benefits of outdoor play: Educate on the benefits of outdoor play for physical, mental, and emotional health. Share information about the benefits of vitamin D exposure, nature connection, and physical play for general well-being.

Promoting outdoor play is critical for instilling good habits and holistic development in primary school students. The top primary schools in Surat empower children to embrace the joys of nature and live active, healthy lives by creating inviting outdoor spaces, integrating sports, outdoor games, and activities, incorporating nature-based play materials, offering outdoor playtime breaks, and educating about the benefits of outdoor play. Let's build an outdoor play culture that inspires the next generation to connect with nature and thrive in mind, body, and spirit.