National Play Outside Day

In today’s world, screens often dominate most of our attention, stripping ourselves away from spending time in our outdoor world and enjoying nature. National Play Outside Day serves as an important reminder to our society about the importance of being outdoors and the many benefits from it as well. Celebrate on the first Saturday of each month, National Play Outside Day encourages individuals and families to find joy and peace in nature, connect through outdoor activities, and overall improve both their mental and physical being. 

To maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle, it is vital to spend time outdoors. Nowadays, many spend majority of their time on devices, cooped up within their homes and not receiving the full and rewarding experience of being outdoors. Outdoor activities offer a range of benefits, including building creativity in children, increasing happiness, and allowing for better cardiovascular health.  However, simply spending time in nature also has many benefits, which include reducing anxiety levels and improving concentration, better sleep, increasing productivity, and having a better immune system too. Overall, and especially for children, creating a lifestyle emphasized on promoting outdoor activity is great for developing healthy habits, social development, and also creating happy kids. Therefore, a good way to begin this lifestyle is participating in National Play Outside Day! Take the time, once a month, to spend that time with friends and family, and go on an adventures together!

There are so many activities to enjoy the outdoors, but the best part about it is that it doesn't require any specific equipment or large sums of money to do it! Find something that truly makes you happy, because there are infinite possibilities on how to spend your time outdoors. 

 Some ideas include…

• Go stargazing or bird-watching

• Planning a picnic

• Play a sports game

• bike riding

• Beach or lake

• Hiking with friends

• Paddleboarding

• Camping with family   

• Start a garden

While National Play Outside Day is only observed once a month, it sends a strong message towards individuals about encouraging outdoor play ito becoming a part of one's lifestyle and habit. Especially for younger generations growing up with devices and technology that take up time, it is so important to emphasize the fun and joys of playing outside. It is our job, as family, friends, and community members, to promote spending more time in nature. Organize activities with the people around you and encourage each other to go outside! You might discover a love for the outdoors you never knew you had. 

Sources

• https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2024/national-play-outside-day-encourages-everyone-set-screens-aside-and-play-outdoors#:~:text=The%20first%20Saturday%20of%20every,the%20multiple%20benefits%20of%20play. 

• https://www.healthline.com/health/health-benefits-of-being-outdoors 

• http://playoutsideday.org/Ideas.html 

• https://www.connectionsacademy.com/support/resources/article/national-play-outside-day-ideas/