News
Striking a balance between indoor gaming and outdoor activities
Everyone needs balance in their life, and that includes our
children. Getting them to spend their leisure time in ways that
offer the right blend of fun and stimulation can be a challenge.
However, it is possible to work out a healthy balance between
indoor and outdoor pursuits that leaves children and parents
smiling.
Inside story
Many parents try and limit their children's use of computer
consoles, but gaming isn't all bad. Positive effects can be felt
when children focus on games that stimulate their imaginations,
spark creativity or challenge them mentally. Sports games are
often good for hand eye coordination and developing numerical
skills, strategy building and tactical strengths. Playing
computer games with your child is a fun way of bonding and
spending quality time. Children love to teach their parents how
to play, and parents can also use game scenarios as talking
points and teaching opportunities.
If you want to take them away from computer games, try a craft
project. The most successful projects are those where children
can see a relevance and use for an item they create. Making
jewelry, a light shade, pottery or knitting are all indoor
activities children can engage with in a satisfying way. Have
fun together planning, designing and assembling craft projects
over the kitchen table – it's a great way of connecting with
your children in a relaxed, unpressurized way.
Out and about
When the weather is good, heading outside makes sense. Taking
children out of their home environment gives them instant
stimulation and increases social contact with others. Fresh air
elevates feelings of well being and safe levels of sunshine
helps in the production of Vitamin D.
Children reluctant to venture out of the front door can be
tempted in a number of ways.
Try a sporting activity the family can enjoy together such as
inline skating or blading. The gear needed
for going
blading includes a safety helmet, knee pads and roller
blades, of course. Roller blading is great exercise that gives
you a good cardio workout and once you master the techniques it
is possible to travel distances at speed – something children
will embrace.
Other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed as a family include
surfing, which many children really take to. The adrenalin rush
of catching a wave and speeding into shore can be a real eye
opener for children and getting them out of the sea is often a
problem! Mapping out a cycle route to follow is another way of
engaging children with the outdoors. Pack a picnic, a map and
away you cycle on a mission to discover how far this outdoor
adventuring can take you.
For gentler activities outside, get children interested in
wildlife photography or birding. Such passions often start young
in children, nurtured and reinforced by happy and relaxed times
with siblings and parents. Heading out for the day with
binoculars, camera and notebook to see what nature has to offer
could be the start of a lifelong love of the great outdoors.
Happy children are those who spend their free time engaged in
things that help them grow, develop and feel good about the
world around them. Whether that's playing Super Mario Brothers
with Dad or roller blading in the park with mum, it's all a
matter of getting the balance just right.