Indoors vs. Outdoors: What’s Best For Your Child?

Should our children be allowed more outdoor time than indoor? If you ask overprotective parents, their answer will definitely be ‘indoors.’ Why? Because they believe that outdoor activities can bring forth injuries and child conflicts that they do not want to handle. So, Xbox and other digital devices become the essential part of children’s life. This article will explore what’s really best for our kids, indoor or outdoor activities.

Indoor Activities and their Effect on Children

Most parents find it comforting to rail their kids to one corner of the house with the screen-based device, which keeps them busy for the rest of the day. Do not worry, this will not follow a lengthy speech regarding how bad indoor activities are for your child. However, in fact, not all indoor activities are damaging to your child’s well being; it is the amount of time that is spent on indoor activities. Research shows that children who spend more than 42 hours a week indoors are less mentally active and physically stronger than the kids who spend most of their time outdoors, engaged with old-fashioned outdoor playground equipment.

Indoor activities can include indoor play structures and structured play items and toys. For example, learning toys, puzzles, mind games and other structured playing items are a great way to boost a child’s cognitive development. However, it does not mean that we should deprive children of the essential sunshine that is important for their physical health.

Outdoor Activities and their Effect on Children

School playground equipment or any other play structure for that matter can help your children develop a strong foundation for cognitive and physical health that can help them climb higher in their professional life. Physical activities, especially unstructured physical activities are a great way to enhance your child’s overall vitality. Unstructured play activities include play activities without any strict supervision and book rules.

Just like indoor activities, more than needed outdoor activities can be damaging. The most commonly observed prolonged outdoor activity effects include sun damage, fatigue and muscle tension. Research shows that preschoolers need around 17 hours or more of active play every week. Teenagers, on the other hand, can use around 34 hours of physical activity in a week.
Parents have a great responsibility when it comes to a child’s overall health. To make sure that your child gets the right amount of indoor and outdoor recreation, devise a schedule and stick to it.

Long term exposure to indoor games can only develop some parts of the brain. According to a scientific study, children need both indoor and outdoor activities to have a balanced cognitive and physical health. So, make sure that your child has ample amount of both indoor and outdoor activities.

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