5 Reasons Why Kids Need Outdoor Play

5/22/19

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

Does your kid spend time playing outside? Today's generation of kids are most of the time glued to their gadgets playing online games or watching videos. While parents think that it's safe to keep them inside the house, these kids are being deprived of the benefits of outdoor play.

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

SM City Marikina believes that kids playing actively outdoors promotes a healthy well-being. Last May 18 the kids had a chance to enjoy the last few days of summer at SM City Marikina's Unplugged and Play in a safe outdoor environment. Kids are naturally drawn to play outside and you should not restrict them to have some play time.

Here are 5 reasons why kids need outdoor play:

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

1. It allows kids to explore

“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein

Kids are always curious. They either want to know how a thing works and they are interested to experience challenging activities. Their curiosity amuses them and at the same time help them figure things out. These important life skills such as creativity and problem solving contribute to their success later in life.

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

2. It helps kids strengthen their muscles

“Children more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping, and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.” ~ David Sobel

Outdoor play encourages kids to participate in active play. They use their muscles to run, kick,  and jump. Some outdoor activities improve a child's body coordination and balance. It is also the most fun way of exercising for kids.

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

3. It promotes socialization

Outdoor play enables kids to meet other children and make friends. Human interaction teaches them how to share, help, and appreciate the effort of another person. 

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

It also makes them realize the importance of working together to achieve a goal.


4. It instills the value of perseverance and builds confidence

Outdoor play is really very physically challenging. Not everyone can successfully climb a tree the first time he tries doing it. 

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

“If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole loving being to the world around him, he will be able, in the serious tasks of later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

Whether you want to jump higher or run faster, it builds your self-confidence whenever you learn a new skill.

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

5. Kids can just enjoy being kids

The world is their playground. The things to explore and enjoy are endless. It helps them appreciate nature. They can dig the soil, play hide and seek, or simply stare at the clouds above them. We may not understand how these activities make them happy but I sure kids enjoying just being kids is something we adult envy.

SM City Marikina Unplugged and Play

“To play with a child is to love a child.” ~ Vince Gowmon

SM City Marikina's Unplugged and Play has made the parents bring their kids outside to play and enjoy the activities with them. A truly bonding moment these kids will be cherishing for life.