How To Get Kids Outdoors More

Kids Fitness 

 

7 Creative Ways To Inspire Kid to Get Outside & Play

Are you struggling to unplug your children from their devices and coax them into the great outdoors? Kids seem to always be on their tablet or on their parent’s phone. It's become increasingly difficult to encourage children to explore the world beyond their screens. But it’s important to make the time because the benefits of spending time outdoors are huge.

MBE partnered with Rollplay, post contains affiliate links

With some creativity, you can make the outdoors fun and educational for your kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently reported that children who play outside experience many benefits. Some of those benefits include: better overall physical health, greater engagement in learning, and improved behavior. They also enjoy better mental health than their indoor-focused peers.

There are countless ways to get kids to enjoy the outdoors, and below are just a few suggestions that are great for the entire family. Read on for some inspiration on getting the kids outside for fresh air in the days ahead.

1. Transform Walks into Interactive Games 

Walks don't have to be mundane. You can turn a simple walk into an exciting game of "Eye Spy" or a treasure hunt. Encourage your kids to identify the various trees, birds, flowers, and wildlife they see during the walk. 

Arm yourselves with field guides specific to your area, and make each outing a quest to discover something new. Engaging with local wildlife in this way not only encourages observation and learning but also fosters a deeper connection with nature.

2. Move Storytime Outdoors

Who said story time needs to be confined to the bedroom? Grab a blanket, some books, and find a shady spot in your backyard or a local park. Reading books that talk about nature can further enhance this outdoor experience, helping your child draw connections between the stories and their surroundings.

This way, you're not just fostering a love for reading but also subtly encouraging an appreciation for the great outdoors.

 

3. Choose Active Commutes 

If the destination is within a reasonable distance, why not walk or cycle instead of driving? Short car trips are particularly harmful to the environment as they burn fuel and create pollution at higher rates than long journeys. By choosing to walk or cycle, you're teaching your kids about eco-friendly practices while incorporating outdoor time into daily life.

Many families recently adopted a dog. Taking your kids for a walk or a trip to the dog park offers an added incentive for outdoor activity. 

4. Embrace Ride-on Toys 

Rollplay Nighthawk is a fantastic ride-on toy that offers kids an exhilarating outdoor experience. With speeds of up to 6 miles per hour and a unique steering technique, it's sure to delight little thrill-seekers. 

Ride-on toys offer more than just fun. They empower children with decision-making opportunities. Whether it's choosing the direction or speed children learn to assess risks and make independent choices. This gives kids a sense of confidence in their decision-making abilities.

Rollplay White 12 Volt Nighthawk Ride-On

5. Start a Miniature Garden 

Gardening is a great way to engage kids outdoors. Create a dedicated space for your kids to plant flowers and vegetables, and watch their excitement as they see their plants grow over time. This hands-on experience not only teaches them about nature and life cycles but also encourages responsibility as they care for their plants.

If space is an issue, you can start with a few pots or containers. As long as your kids can dig, water, and watch their plants grow, the size of the garden does not matter at all! 

6. Opt for Outdoor Dining 

Something as simple as having a snack or lunch outside can make a big difference. Eating outdoors is a fun and easy way to enjoy nature. It can be on a picnic in your backyard or a snack break during a hike. You can make this even more engaging by involving your kids in preparing the picnic or snack. This not only gets them excited about the outdoor meal but also teaches them valuable life skills.

7. Follow The Leader Walk 

Take the classic game of "Follow the Leader" outside with a fun, child-led adventure walk. Allow your child to decide the direction at each crossroads, turning a simple walk around the block into an exciting expedition. When it's time to head home, you can gently steer them back on track. This game not only keeps kids physically active but also nurtures their leadership skills.

Ride-on toy images courtesy of Rollplay

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July 4th Family Friendly Free Craft Ideas

4th of July

This post contains Amazon affiliate links so we can earn a small commission, at no extra cost to shoppers, if you make a purchase

Free Fun Inspo for Independence Day

July 4th is all about our country's FREEdom. So what better way to motivate you to get into the spirit of the holiday than with some creative, FREE ways for you and your kids to celebrate The Fourth this year?

A Capitol Fourth on PBS

In our Nation's Capitol, there is there is entertainment for just about everyone to enjoy. Scheduled performers include Chicago, Boyz II Men, The Muppets of Sesame Street, Belinda Carlisle, The National Symphony Orchestra, Northwell Nurse Choir, The US Army Band "Pershing's Own," The United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, and others. Watch it from home wherever you are on the 4th of July on your local PBS station

DIY Patriotic Fan by PBS Kids

Here's a  fun patriotic themed craft that is easy enough for preschoolers to make with your help. This Paper Plate Fan Craft is inspired by the stars and stripes on America's flag and will help kids get into the spirit of the holiday. Free directions

4th of July Paper Rockets by Happiness is Homemade

See the directions to make some cute faux fireworks similar to the ones used for the decor here. This creative project starts with either empty toilet paper cardboard rolls (or recycled paper towel rolls) like those that were used to create the centerpiece above. Get the free directions

Patriotic Paper Wreath Craft by Crayola

A paper plate is the base for this craft that incorporates colored construction papers cut into star shapes. A easy way for kids to help decorate their room and your house for July 4th. Get the free directions 

Firecracker Margarita by Mommy Blog Expert

Celebrate by making an Independence Day cocktail or mocktail margarita. This drink can be made with or without alcohol either as a slush or straight out of the bottle and will be a hit with your party guests. To easily mix up some fun drinks check out MBE's free directions

More Free, Fun Ideas for the 4th of July

American Flag Coloring Page  from Crayola

20 Free 4th of July Printables from Mod PodgeRocks Blog

Patriotic Recipes, Crafts from PBS Food

Wishing You  

A Safe, Fabulous 4th!

Central Perk Coffee Enjoyed Best With Friends

Good Taste

MBE partnered with Central Perk for this post, opinions are my own

New Artisan Coffee, Inspired by Friends TV Series

I am writing this review now, under the influence of Central Perk "Oh. My. Gawd!" Cold Brew Blend ground coffee. I received this to facilitate a coffee tasting for this review, along with two other varieties of the brand's newest java offerings including "Gunther!" Espresso whole beans and "Moo Point" ground decaf. 

Central Perk Coffee

Fans of the iconic TV series Friends from Warner Bros. which ran for 10 seasons from 1994-2004 are familiar with the show's fictional Central Perk coffee shop where New Yorkers Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Gunther and the rest of the gang like to hang out. Earlier this month the first-ever real life Central Perk coffeehouse opened its doors to the public in Boston; additional coffee shops are planned for around the country during 2023.

But don't worry coffee lovers, if you're outside of Boston: you are not missing out because Central Perk's artisan coffees are available right now nationwide for delivery in 10 oz bags (as well as in single serve pods in a box) to your doorstep for you to brew at home.  

In fact, after trying this trio of new coffees myself, which were all so good, I decided to include them among our top picks for MBE's 2023 Father's Day Gift Guide.

 

The Newest Central Perk Coffees

Joining existing Friends inspired varieties "How You Doin," "Pivot Blend," and "We Were on a Coffee Break," are three all-new Central Perk coffees -- each created with the expertise and know-how of NYC resident and famed Chef Tom Colicchio. The newest three are featured in this review.

"Oh.My.Gawd!" ground coffee may be billed by the brand as a medium roast with butterscotch and cocoa notes as a cold brew blend. Admittedly, I've tried this both iced and hot, and either way this coarse grind choice is my hands-down favorite of the new Central Perk coffees sent to me to experience. This is particularly good for summer which starts tomorrow, served as an ice blended style drink by adding milk and a tablespoon of chocolate milk powder to ice cubes and brewed coffee, then frothing it up in a blender before pouring into a tall glass.

"Gunther!" Espresso whole beans is a dark roast producing dark cocoa, sweet caramel, and smoky notes. Full-bodied, bold and rich tasting, this is a great choice for those of you who appreciate the strong taste when sipping a good espresso like I do. To make a delicious cup of espresso, simply grind the whole beans immediately before brewing, then use 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each 6 oz cup of cold filtered water which should be properly heated to a piping hot 197-205 degrees for ideal extraction and best results.

"Moo Point" decaf coffee is an essential to have on hand, as an alternative to the caffeinated varieties, especially if you are entertaining for Sunday brunch, serving with dessert, or just about anytime you are offering your guests coffee. As a medium roast, with its delightful light hints of cocoa and subtle honey, savoring this brew I had a hard time telling that this coffee variety, as flavorful and good tasting as it was, was actually decaffeinated.

 

What is Artisan Coffee Anyway?

Artisan coffee, which has become extremely popular among discerning coffee drinkers, is defined as a high quality coffee that has been crafted with great attention to details by skilled individuals like Chef Colicchio. It is a term often used to describe coffee, typically sourced from specialty coffee farms growing an exceptional quality of beans, then prepared in small batches by small-scale coffee roasters.

About Central Perk Coffee

Central Perk responsibly sources coffee from 20 countries of origin -- including many of the best growing regions around the world. Products are available for ordering exclusively online, shipping in the US and internationally through CentralPerk.com. Coffee product packaging options including single serve pods, whole beans, and ground coffee for $16.99 each. There is also a coffee subscription program to receive products shipped to you regularly. Always fresh, free US shipping is provided with orders of $40+. As the company's mantra says, this coffee collection is "Enjoyed best with FRIENDS." Stay up to date on all the news and learn more by visiting CentralPerk.com, also by following them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.