In the late summer, before the kids go back to school, practice for fall sports often begins. The weather is still nice where we live, the nights are beginning to get a bit cooler, and the leaves are giving hints of the changes headed our way. Once they actually begin school, usually after Labor Day, our schedules get even busier adding homework, clubs, and organization meetings after school, pack the schedule even more. It can be hard to find the time for them to get outside and just PLAY. I am a big believer in outside playtime, it gets them away from electronics, keeps them active, and allows them to engage their imaginations.
The Voice of Play is an education and advocacy initiative of the non-profit membership association, IPEMA, formed to educate and promote the benefits of children’s free outdoor play and playgrounds. Through the Voice of Play website and social media properties, IPEMA highlights the scientifically proven physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of play.
How do you prioritize play in the fall and winter? We make sure that we buy weather appropriate clothes and accessories, and they dress in layers, as needed. We go to the playground, and the younger two play while the older one prepares for Cross Country meets. We hit up the local farms to pick our own fruits and vegetables, that are so delicious when they are fresh! We go up to the Mountains and explore the trails and the gorgeous fall foliage. Once winter sets in, we are buried in feet of snow. The kids can get out and build snowmen, snow forts, skate, ski, make snow angels, and have snowball battles. encourage other families to enjoy the fall and winter outside in a similar way.
Sherry Compton says
Great site and an important idea. Kids and adults need to get out some times. Step away from the computers and see the outside. My grandkids live where it’s warm so even fall and winter they can go skateboarding and bike riding. Their parents are runners and get them involved in races too. Where I live it’s colder and outdoors often deals with playing in the snow, fall sports, and wearing heavier clothes. Plus hot chocolate. It’s good to play outside but make sure everyone is dressed for the weather.
Tamra Phelps says
With my niece & nephews, it seems they enjoy everything from basketball to just riding the scooter up & down the sidewalk. They actually play outside quite a bit. (Though they definitely love playing computer/video games!)
Rosie says
That is how we grew up, playing in the hills and in the snow. We kind of took it for granted, but we had fun and seems more valuable than having an extremely regimented schedule outside of school that didn’t leave much time for unstructured fun!