Parents’ Poll: Outdoor Play a Thing of the Past?

Results of the survey:

Boy playing baseball

The poll on outdoor play reveals that you are not alone. Despite a range of different attitudes and arrangements, there are other parents who share your concerns and solutions.

Many of you lament how life has changed since your own more-carefree childhoods, when kids played outside from dawn to dusk with fewer competing distractions and less need for adult supervision.

Clearly the places you live, your children's ages and dispositions, and your own schedule are factors in your kids' outdoor play. You realize that playing outside provides unique opportunities for kids to learn about nature, get much-needed exercise, let off steam, and bond with other kids. Yet for many families, encouraging kids to be outside has become a complicated business.

Some of the strategies you suggest may inspire solutions for those who are feeling stymied. For instance, hiring an energetic, outdoorsy sitter may be the solution for some, while planning a family camping vacation may provide outdoor experiences for others.

We hope that some of you will be inspired to action by knowing that others share your concerns. For instance, parents can band together to request unstructured recess and more physical education in schools. Parents can work toward accessible, affordable after-school sports and nature programs. Parents can also discuss with neighbors ways to create safer play spaces in their communities, and take turns supervising kids' outdoor activities.

Read on to learn what strategies some have found that support outdoor play and what hampers or eliminates the opportunities for outdoor play.

What you said:

The good news is that two out of three parents who responded told us they felt their kids get enough exercise, and just over half were OK with the amount of outdoor play. But the amount of outdoor play peaks in summer. Only 11% said their kids play outside a lot in winter.

What kids do outside:

73% imaginative play
65% playground activities
47% walks or hikes
31% team sports
25% individual sports
24% gardening
17% chores

Other outdoor activities that you specified:

Bird watching, playing with a pet, collecting bugs, digging for worms, playing with sticks and leaves, bike riding, rolling on the grass, sleeping in a tent, playing with water balloons, in-line skating, family camping and canoeing, splashing in puddles, drawing chalk pictures, picnicking, reading outside, and building things.

What Works:

  • Their preschool took them outside every day while teaching the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather—rain or shine.
  • We really limit TV and computer time. No more than a half hour of one or the other per day.
  • We hike a lot and just spend time in our backyard—playing games, reading, doing homework, or just relaxing and listening to the sounds of nature.
  • Our family vacations always revolve around the outdoors. There is NEVER TV on vacation.
  • We take walks in the neighborhood to parks, and sometimes the kids bring their bikes or scooters. We've recently been taking the dog with us to make it a complete family event.
  • I have noticed that it takes time for them to work into this kind of playing. I think that kids need at least 2 to 3 hours a day outside, enjoying free play.
  • When my baby-sitter (who is 17) watches them, she keeps them outside all day. She is my favorite baby-sitter because she keeps them engaged all day long and doesn't sit them in front of the TV. That is a rarity, and I will pay her well to keep her because of that!
  • We live in a subdivision on a cul-de-sac, and all my neighbors comment on how they love seeing us out playing, catching lightning bugs, jumping rope, or jumping on the trampoline. I get out there and play with my daughter, and now all the neighborhood kids come to our house, just like they all used to come to my parents' house. It takes a willingness to get outside and just have fun.
  • Parents need to start demanding recess and PE classes and less homework, so kids can enjoy the outdoors, play a sport, or wind down with family time. It would make a healthier society.

The biggest obstacles to playing outdoors:

Many of you cited similar reasons your kids aren't outside more. Here are some samples of what you said.

Weather

  • 107ยบ weather this summer
  • HEAT, HEAT, HEAT
  • Rain, cold, wind
Fear of strangers
  • We have learned there are several child molesters in this area. The kids are not allowed outdoors alone or permitted to walk to the school bus stop.
  • We live in a good neighborhood, but I can't seem to get all those images of the news out of my mind.
  • In this day and age we cannot let our children out to play for fear of them being taken off the street corner.

Absence of playmates

  • Need for more friends who play outside
  • Lack of children her age in the neighborhood
  • Too old for playground but not yet old enough to go meet friends on their own
  • It's a "not-talked-about" rule that the children can only go out if there are other children out.

Need for adults to supervise

  • They can't be outside even for a second alone, which means if the toddler has to go potty, the preschooler has to come in, too, which then becomes a fight. If one needs a drink, we all have to go inside.
  • There is a societal expectation that parents should supervise even older kids constantly.... it's very hard to act differently from your neighbor.
  • I'm not always able to go out with them (getting my own work done), and I'm fearful of dangers (traffic/strangers) they may face.
  • My working hours greatly affect my son's outdoor playtime.

Competition from video games, TV, and homework

  • They're much happier on the Internet, playing PlayStation, or watching TV.
  • Runescape (online computer game) addiction!

Kids' reluctance to go outside, saying they are "bored"

  • They get bored. We try to give them ideas and provide them with simple materials to spark games and role-playing, but we often spot them minutes later just sitting there with chins in hands, complaining about how Mom and Dad won't let them do anything "fun" (i.e., Game Boy).

Allergies and insects

  • Too many mosquitoes—we need safe and effective barriers to mosquitoes.
  • The kids are fearful of insects! The slide is completely avoided if an insect is there.
  • Their allergies and sensitive skin.
  • Wasps and yellow jackets.

As you can see, parents and kids have widely varied experiences with the great outdoors. So no matter where you fall on the spectrum, it's clear there are others nearby!