MAKE A PLAYLIGHT PROMISE

FIVE WAYS TO REGULARLY GET OUTDOORS AS A FAMILY THIS SUMMER

As Australia warms up for summer, days stretch and we enjoy more daylight. And more possibility for us to spend time outdoors enjoying those extra hours of sunshine and warmth with the children.

But with increased pressure on “working families”, finding time for outside play – or quality family time of any kind – is a challenge, even with that extra daylight.

How would you feel if you could utilise that extra sunshine to get outside with the kids for an hour each day and really play, be active, and connect? Imagine how it would feel if you did it for a week? Or even just a few extra days each week.

It sounds nice, but with so much going on you might feel a little stuck. How do we make it happen? How do we make a playlight promise to spend more time outdoors together this summer, and keep it? Here are five tips that can make the difference:

1. PLAN IT

Outside family time doesn’t usually happen spontaneously. Sometimes we might be able to make a snap decision to jump in the car and nip down to the park, the beach, or a favourite outdoor spot. But most of the time we need to plan ahead.

On Sunday, take a look at your calendar and work out which afternoons you can sneak out of work early. What days will work best for you to have a meal prepped early, pack a picnic for an outing, or buy takeaway to make the most of the playlight hours?

And what will you do? Bike rides require prep. Kicking a ball demands less of busy parents. Lying on your back staring at clouds and spotting shapes – less again. Planning your activities makes life easier. Intentional decision making will make life easier.

2. BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE

Once you’re committed and spending that time together, stay focused. Be in the moment. Don’t check your phone (unless you’re taking cute photos of everyone having fun – including you). Don’t stress about how soon you need to leave. Don’t get caught up in all the other stuff. Just. Be. Present. You’ll have a better time and so will your child.

3. ENCOURAGE RISK, NOVELTY AND ADVENTURE

Peter Gray is a global play expert. He suggests that play needs to be risky and adventurous:

“If too little fear is induced, the activity is boring; if too much is induced, it becomes no longer play, but terror.”

Our children love the opportunity to explore, expand their skills and knowledge and be creative. Research tells us that outside play creates more resilient children as they explore limits, master challenges, create and navigate tricky social situations with others.

4. IT’S OK TO BE STILL

Some parents tell me their children don’t want to play outside. Screens are more exciting. Or it’s just more comfortable to stay indoors. Maybe they hate the beach (or the water) or getting on a bike for a ride is more like torture than fun.

Outdoor play doesn’t always have to be about running around, kicking balls, swimming, climbing or being active. It’s OK to lie on a picnic blanket and read, talk or stare at the sky through the leaves on the trees. Sometimes these are our very best times – being outside doing nothing at all.

5. MAKE IT FAMILY TIME

Perhaps the best thing about time outside is the chance to experience the joy of seeing our children flourish.

Outside is usually more fun, more energetic and more creative than inside. Outside is often more exciting, risky, and exploratory than inside.

And when we go out together, being outside gives us beautiful opportunities to connect with the ones we love.

Some of the most magical moments and memories – the stuff that life is really made of – will happen outside. Make the most of the longer hours of daylight. Make it playlight. And watch your kids come alive.