Four Backyard Play Additions To Get Kids Outside

By Author: Dylan
Total Articles: 6

It can be a challenge to get kids outdoors these days. With so many distractions such as TV, tablets, video games and smartphones fighting for their attention, kids spend less and less time outdoors. The advantages of outdoor play significantly outweigh indoor play, and is vital for a child’s growth and development. These advantages include mental, emotions, physical and social benefits.

Mental benefits: outdoor play allows kids to use their imaginations which increases their ability to focus and use critical thinking.
Emotional benefits: outdoor play can reduce stress levels and increase a child’s ability to cope with stress. Outdoor play also shows benefits for developing good self-esteem.
Physical benefits: outdoor play allows children to develop their physical fitness. It can increase their muscle strength, coordination and flexibility. Outdoor play is great for overall health and wellbeing.
Social benefits: outdoor play allows children to interact with other kids. They are able to develop their social skills and increase their ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.

Trampolines
NASA states that “rebound exercise is the most effective form of exercise devised by man”. Trampolines can provide an excellent cardiovascular workout for kids. Not only is it great for fitness, a trampoline increases body awareness and increases the sense of balance and coordination. For example, gymnasts use trampolines to improve their coordination skills. A trampoline in the backyard can also benefit core strength and provides a great way to tone muscle with regular use.
Swings
Swinging helps children to develop their gross motor skills. Swinging can also increase strength and coordination. By pumping the legs to gain height, pushing other swingers and jumping off swings are great for balance, strength and coordination.

Swings are both exciting and relaxing for children. They can create the sensation of flying and falling depending on how high they swing. A backyard swing set can not only be fun, but also has many benefits for children.

Cubby House
Cubby houses are not so much beneficial for physical fitness like trampolines and swings. However, they provide excellent mental and emotional benefits. Cubby houses allow children to grow their imaginations, creativity, independence and confidence. They give children the opportunity to have their own space where they can learn through play. Cubby houses can also provide the opportunity to learn socialization skills by sharing, collaborating and communicating with other kids.

Monkey Bars
Monkey bars for kids are one of the most beneficial additions to a backyard. Not only are they fun, but they are the perfect way to improve strength and fitness in children. Upper body strength is significantly enhanced as children swing from one bar to the next. As well as this, swinging and hanging upside down helps kids to develop a sense of their body’s position in space while also increasing their strength and confidence.

The grip used on monkey bars is the same grip used for holding a pencil, which increases writing skills. The grip strength developed by using monkey bars is very beneficial for a child’s fine motor skills while learning to write, colour and cut.

Monkey bars for kids are a great backyard addition for improving a child’s overall fitness and well being, while also benefiting their mental and emotional health.