Living in the Pacific Northwest, any number of outdoor activities are available within an hour or two from home. From skiing and boating to hiking and beach strolls, there is ample opportunity to get fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors. Interestingly, however, a recent study showed that less than half of American preschoolers are given the opportunity to play outside for an hour a day.
For those who need some inspiration, I wrote an article on a related topic for Seattle-based ParentMap Magazine. “Swings, Snails and Sun: 10 Simple Delights of Backyard Fun“–in the SummerMap special edition–addresses the turn away from outdoor play and gives parents ideas for how to reinstill in our families the old childhood values of rollicking in nature. If you’re a parent, I hope you enjoy the outdoor play ideas!