*Advertorial Feature with Regatta*
Since starting my blog 9 years ago I have always written about our family exploits in the fresh air and even in the current climate of uncertainty this is still a must for us. In fact it is even more important.
Thoughts at the moment are that the transmission of COVID-19 is more prevalent in indoor spaces and that air flow, ventilation and fresh air are our friends.
With the weather turning and most indoor activities restricted here in Nottinghamshire we as a family are even more determined to find ways of being outside.
The first lockdown created an immense amount of anxiety for Joshua. He has always been my sensitive soul and with the lockdown taking away, school, football and his friends all at once he spent months seeing his Dad to sleep on his bedroom floor to get through it.
We know that Joshua is not alone in his anxiety especially though this horrifically unprecedented time that the whole world is going through. What we learnt early on in lockdown was that the kids needed fresh air more than we ever really realised.
Days spent at home with no outdoor time lead to tears, heightened stress and sibling bickering and a generally unpleasant household. In fact I will be totally open and say it was like a hell with them.
Taking the kids out of the house no matter what the weather has saved our sanity of that I am sure and it has made for happier and less anxious children. Oh and with some energy burnt off my kids are far less feral and fighty.
Recently we were gifted some outdoor clothing from one of the UK’s leading outdoor clothing brands Regatta for the kids and we have been out and about trying them out.
With well thought out shaping, amazingly child friendly feature such as easy to do up zips and velcro and deep child friendly pockets my kids have been having a ball.
Our first trip out in the kids new outerwear we headed to a local park to enjoy some fresh air and fun and we have not made some plans for the coming weeks up to Christmas to get outside with the kids. After all there is no such thing as bad weather only inappropriate clothing!
Benefits to Taking Kids Outside
Children sleep better after spending time outside. They are able to burn off more energy
Developing motor skills. So when we think of just jumping they are actually learning to use muscles and build muscles!
Being outside is a great way to learn and practice spacial awareness oh and yeah they are having fun too!
Sensory play can be developed when taken outside. With so many things outside from leaves, grass, water and even mud kids get a whole host of new learning experiences being outdoors
Unstructured outdoor play can help children develop positive behavioural life skills like learning to take turns and sharing along with allowing them to develop their imaginative play too.
Our Next Adventures
With the next 6 months at the very least having COVID still part of our everyday lives we are planning for 90% of our family activities to be outside where possible and obviously in line with Government guidelines.
So what would we like to do?
We are hoping to get tickets booked for Christmas At Wollaton which is a spectacular light display that happens at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham if we can organise it with everything that going on. Its all outdoors so I am hoping any restrictions wouldn’t stop it going ahead. Although a continued lockdown certainly would.
Drive in movie theatres in fields are pretty big at the moment and we actually have booked into one locally. We will keep snug and warm in the car with coats, hats and boots and possible take some hot chocolate.
Where are you taking your kids outside next?
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