Physical Benefits of Playing Outside

There are a multitude of physical benefits from playing outside for kids and adults. Most adults spend hours working inside and their kids spend hours each day in school or in the home as well. That makes is even more important to be intentional about carving time out of each week to play outside.

Here in Tennessee, it's not unusual to have to summer days so hot that your outdoor time is limited, but take advantage of beautiful weather.

Motor Skills

Motor Skills are in important part of a child's physical growth. There is no better place than outdoors for a child to push, pull, jump, throw a ball, learn to catch, or improve balance through climbing. Simple fun such as climbing a tree (safely), climbing or walking over larger rocks, or walking across a playground balance beam are opportunities to gain motor skills.

Sensory Skills

There is so much to see outside! New birds, trees, flowers, people. Being outside is an endless visual experience. Where else can you stop and smell the roses-or any other flower? Go outside after the rain and let your kids stomp through a puddle. Walking trhough one of the many trails at any of the parks, you will hear birds, dogs, and other kids! If you walk through the Old Forest at Overton Park, you may even hear some of the zoo animals. These skill seem simple but they are essential parts of a child's growth. The benefts of playing outside, especially in a park, are far more expansive than the limited sensory experience of being indoors.

Develop Athletic Abilties

It should go without saying that anyone, especially children, have more opportunity to develop their athletic ability outside than in a building. Park trails are great for bike riding, walking, or running. Open fields such as the Greensward are great for playing a game of soccer or baseball. Kids need exercise and parks are a great place for the whole family to exercise together.