Why should your kids play?
Aside from having your child play organized sports, it’s equally important to allow your child and family time to play unstructured but active games. This helps them with creativity, and allows them to socialize and play without a goal. They get exercise this way without calling it “exercise.”
What is this exactly?
Help your child play. Have play parties for them that aren’t about video games or TV. Turn off the TV and send them out to play if you live somewhere where they can do this. Remind them or teach them games you played as a child and play with them. Buy a jump rope and jump with them. Play hopscotch, play tag, take them to a trampoline place or ice-skating or rollerblading. Go on a bike ride. Create games that make you run, do three legged races. Playworks is a wonderful website that has examples of games. Plan a party with these games for your child. Take them to the park and run around. Have them make up games to play.
How does it work?
Basically you get to play with your kids. Adults generally don’t allow themselves this luxury. But you need to play in order to be able to work successfully. Maybe your child will teach you something about this or you can teach them too.
Next steps:
Your weekend activities should have some time reserved for play even if it’s just half an hour. Send your kids out to play as often as possible. Any time they are watching TV or saying they are bored and they really have nothing more to do, send them out to play. It’s as simple as that. If it seems too difficult it is time to reprioritize what you are spending time with. Children learn from play and it is important that they have some time every day to build this important physical, mental and social aspect of their lives.
