It is indisputable that nowadays, screens have taken over our lives and also the little ones. Screens have come to provide many good things, but without responsible use of them, they can end up being very harmful to our lives and our health. Practicing sports is a good alternative to the sedentary lifestyle that comes from excessive use of screens, and if it is also practiced outdoors, the benefits it brings to our health are many.
Offering attractive outdoor sports activities for children is the responsibility of adults and it is for this reason that we wanted to review some of the many benefits it can bring them:
- Improved physical health: Outdoor exercise helps children stay active and fit. Running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoors contributes to a healthy lifestyle and helps prevent childhood obesity.
- Strengthening the immune system: Being outdoors exposes children to sunlight and fresh air, which can strengthen their immune system and reduce the risk of illness.
- Motor Skill Development: Playing outdoors encourages the development of gross and fine motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, climbing and balancing.
Reduction of stress and anxiety: Contact with nature and physical activity outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety in children, promoting their emotional well-being. - Improved mood and concentration: Exposure to natural light and engaging in outdoor physical activity can increase serotonin and endorphin levels, improving mood and concentration.
- Promoting teamwork and socialization: Playing outdoors encourages teamwork and social interaction among children. They learn to share, cooperate, resolve conflicts, and develop friendships while participating in outdoor games and activities.
- Connection to nature: Time spent outdoors helps children develop a connection with nature, which can increase their appreciation for the environment and encourage respectful behaviors toward it in the future.
- Encouraging creativity and imagination: The outdoor environment offers unlimited opportunities for children to explore, discover and use their imagination. They can invent games, build forts, explore the local flora and fauna, and much more.
In short, outdoor sports are not only fun for children, but are also essential for their physical, emotional and social health, as well as their overall development.
