Comments on: What to do when your kids hate being outside

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:08:02 +0000

I was definitely one of those kids who hated being outside… I still hate it most of the time. I never liked the feeling of heat or sweat, and have been terrified of bees my entire life. I’m not (nor ever have been) a TV-watcher… when I was young (5, 6, etc.), I MUCH preferred being inside in the a/c reading a book. The only way I would like being outdoors now is if there were no bugs… I haven’t gotten over that. (I’d say my bug phobia is the biggest reason I hate being outside… if your kids don’t like being out, I’d suggest finding out the real reason.)

By: Hil

Hil — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:51:57 +0000

I know that you’re right. Too many parents don’t make the effort to make the outdoors as fun or comfortable as being inside. (Not many parents around here are making an effort to do much with their kids at all.)

For those that do though, they can also check with county conservation groups. Ours runs snowshoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing clinics all winter long. They provide the instruction and the equipment (and the hot chocolate lol). All you have to do is show up. They have different free programs all year long.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:30:57 +0000

You make a good point that some kids are born not liking the great outdoors. I think true kids like that are a minority though. Many kids I think, just don’t have that opportunity or inclination to go outside because parents don’t make it the norm. I know you wouldn’t do that though.

I like all your suggestions for activities. Mapping is a good one. We had a nature treasure hunt for one of Cedar’s birthdays and the kids loved it.

By: Hil

Hil — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:15:05 +0000

I have one kid who loves the outdoors, one who hates it and one who’s fine doing either. (Unless, of course, the others are in agreement. Then he wants to do the opposite. lol )

In my opinion, there are two things to keep in mind – matching a child’s interests and activities, and building up their activity level and tolerance to the elements gradually. If someone really hates being outside, I’d start with 5 minutes and do something they’re bound to love. Leave things on a good note, and go back to it later.

For kids who like action games or cartoons, I would try a game of tag or hide-n-seek, or pretending to hunt monsters or aliens, or fight off poachers. Kids who like adventure-type stories, might like mapping out an area and deciding where to bury treasure, or pretend games involving quests, or even acting out storylines in video games or movies they enjoy. Over time they’ll appreciate nature through finding great hiding spots, or the perfect branch to use in a mini-golf course, etc etc.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:19:02 +0000

I know, kids shows do have those commercials now – like go outside and play, don’t watch our show! How lame. This was unnecessary when I was a kid. I’ll grant that it’s a mix of things, less green areas, less safety, and all that, but still, it’s so depressing. Half the kids at the park are over chubby – not little kid cute chubby, but working on unhealthy fat.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:21:32 +0000

Totally not normal by our standards, but thanks to all the gaming consoles and television programs, it is normal now.

It is sad when the kid’s shows have such high ratings they beg kids to get outside to play.