Seek the Outside! by By Valeria Herrera

Summer is a great time to play outside. Some games are timeless like hopscotch, jump rope, tag, hide-and-seek, Simon Says and Red Light-Green Light. While playing these games not only do kids disperse energy but they are enhancing their muscle strength, endurance, stability, balance, coordination, cardiovascular fitness and physical agility.
 

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, children are often immersed in screens and disconnected from the natural world.  However, the allure of outdoor games remains as strong as ever!  Suggesting a simple game of tag or hide and seek with your child is sure to pump up their excitement and get them off the couch! Outdoor play contributes a wealth of benefits to your child’s holistic development including physical health, social skills, and various cognitive skills like reasoning, remembering, imagining, and using language.  The power of outdoor games cannot be overstated.  Let’s explore how outdoor games benefit our children.

Engaging in outdoor games means movement and physical activity! Running, jumping, climbing, and throwing are the primary building of children's physical fitness. Outdoor games promote these gross motor skills, along with eye-hand-foot coordination, balance, and strength.  The unpredictability of outdoor play requires quick thinking, concentration and decision-making. Children learn to adapt to changing circumstances, analyze risks, and develop strategies on the fly
 
Outdoor games provide a dynamic and stimulating environment for children. Not only do they received a good dose of  fresh air, and sunlight, opportunities abound for them to exercise their five senses through observing the sounds, smells, textures and colors found in nature. Outdoor games fuel their curiosities about their surroundings and may encourage them to explore more and foster a love for nature
 
One of the greatest benefits of outdoor games lies in their ability to foster social interaction and communication skills. When children play outdoors, they engage with peers, siblings, or neighbors, leading to improved social competence. Outdoor games encourage teamwork, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution as children work together towards common goals. They learn to share, take turns, and respect each other's boundaries. These interactions lay the foundation for building positive relationships and developing essential life skills that extend beyond the realm of play.
 
Outdoor play has a profound impact on children's emotional well-being. Physical activity releases endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones, which reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The freedom to run, jump, and explore in the natural environment provides an outlet for pent-up energy and fosters a sense of joy and happiness. Outdoor games also encourage children to take calculated risks and face challenges, promoting resilience and building self-confidence. The connection with nature during outdoor play promotes a sense of calmness, mindfulness, and overall emotional balance.
 
The vast outdoor environment serves as a canvas for children's imagination and creativity to flourish. In this unstructured space, they can transform a simple patch of grass into a magical kingdom or turn fallen leaves into treasure. Outdoor games encourage imaginative play, storytelling, and the creation of imaginary worlds. Children develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and the ability to think outside the box. Unleashing their creativity in outdoor games nurtures their ability to envision, innovate, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
 
Outdoor games are the first step in promoting a livelong enjoyment of an active lifestyle.  In an era dominated by screens and structured activities, recognize the value of free-form outdoor play is essential. By encouraging children to embrace the joy of outdoor games, we not only support their overall well-being but also cultivate a generation that appreciates nature, values physical activity, and possesses the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
 
Some examples of outdoor games that are beneficial to children's health include:
Tag, the classic outdoor game promotes cardiovascular fitness and agility. Children engage in running, chasing, and evading, which helps improve endurance and motor skills. It also enhances reflexes, coordination, and spatial awareness. Evening flashlight tag is also a fun escape from the heat of the day.
 
Hide-and-seek encourages children to be physically active while developing problem-solving skills. Running, hiding, and seeking help children build strength, balance, and coordination. It also enhances cognitive abilities as they strategize and make decisions during the game. Try playing it at night for added excitement.
 
Capture the Flag is an exciting team-based game that promotes teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. Players must work together to capture the opposing team's flag while defending their own. The game involves running, dodging, and coordination, improving cardiovascular fitness and physical agility.
 
Red Light, Green Light is a game that helps children develop listening skills, self-control, and physical coordination. Players move forward on the "green light" command but must freeze when the leader says "red light." This game encourages bursts of physical activity followed by periods of stillness, promoting a balance between energy expenditure and self-regulation.
 
Simon Says is a game that combines listening skills, physical activity, and following instructions. The leader gives commands prefaced with "Simon says," and players must follow them. This game enhances children's listening abilities, motor skills, and body awareness.
 
Hopscotch is a game that improves balance, coordination, and motor skills. Children jump, hop, and skip through a series of numbered squares, enhancing lower body strength and stability. It also promotes spatial awareness and counting skills.
 
Jump rope is a classic outdoor activity that boosts cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and coordination. Children can engage in various jump rope games, such as single jump, double Dutch, or skip counting, which provide an enjoyable way to improve overall physical health.
 
Tug of War is a team-based game that develops strength, teamwork, and coordination. Children divide into teams and compete by pulling a rope in opposite directions. This game enhances upper body strength, grip strength, and cooperative skills.
 
Soccer or football is a popular team sport that enhances cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and teamwork. It involves running, kicking, passing, and strategizing.
 
Every child loves obstacle courses.  Crawling under obstacles, climbing over structures, balancing on beams, and jumping through hoops improves coordination, strength, endurance, and promotes problem-solving skills.  
 
Several outdoor games help improve eye- hand coordination and can engage many people of all ages at summer family gatherings: ladder ball, cornhole, croquet, bocce ball, badminton, and Frisbee.   
 
Embrace the wonders of outdoor play and unlock the immense potential of unbridled joy, active bodies, imaginative minds, and social skills in your children. Let them run, laugh, explore, and make lasting memories in the great outdoors with their friends and families and watch your children bloom into confident, well-rounded individuals. They will feel ready to conquer the world!