My Favorite Things

“This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play. All opinions expressed are completely my own. We love to get outside and play, and we want to encourage you to enjoy #YearRoundPlay, too!”

The leaves are falling to the ground, and our sweaters and jackets are (joyfully) starting to make an appearance back into our wardrobes. Autumn is officially here, and we are savoring every sweet minute of it! In our neck of the woods, it’s horribly humid and hot for a large portion of the year, so once the temperature starts to drop, we waste NO time! We grab our coats and head right out the door!

And when it comes to outdoor play, we want our little girl to let her imagination run wild and to truly enjoy nature and all it has to offer. After we ate our lunch this past Sunday, we went on a little adventure to see what kind of fun we could find outside the four walls of our house.

If you have any trees in your yard that are dropping their leaves, you’re sitting on a gold mine my friends! My husband grabbed a rake and made a nice little pile of leaves within minutes for our toddler to play in. He’s a keeper, don’tcha think! 😉

This was the very first time our kiddo has actually played with leaves. Sure, she’s picked them up to study them a few times, and she’s even learned that they make a funny “crunch” sound when you step on them, but she’s never actually looked at them as a fun way to play. That is, until now! 😉

We try to make it a point to get some quality outdoor play time several times a week. I believe it’s important to find ways to get kids playing outside ALL year long, and not just during the warmer months. In fact, did you know that encouraging outdoor play is scientifically proven to benefit our children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively? Plus, there’s no cost to play outside. There’s a whole wide world out there ready to explore, and all it takes is your time! 🙂

If you’re looking to get outside with your kiddos during the cooler months, here’s a few tips to help you get moving!:

• Dress Appropriately
  • Make sure you check the temperature and dress in layers that can easily be removed in case it warms up. Once you get moving and the blood starts pumping in your body, it can get warm quickly!
• Wear Sunscreen
  • Did you know that your skin can burn during the colder months just as easily as it can during the Summer? Children with fair skin should always have a little sunscreen applied to their face and any other part that may be exposed to sunlight while playing outside.
• Take Advantage of Local Parks
  • Local parks are a total gem! They’re a great place to spend some quality family time while getting some fresh air and enjoying the outdoors. They’re totally free for you to use, so get out there and have some fun!
• Use Your Imagination
  • Look for new ways to play outside with your kids, such as creating an obstacle course, going on a scavenger hunt, “gathering” sticks, acorns, rocks, etc. playing in leaves, building a snowman, hanging homemade bird feeders, and so on. The possibilities are endless! The biggest limit to how much fun you have outdoors is your own imagination!

For more ideas on how to get outside and enjoy the outdoors all year round, visit IPEMA’s educational website, Voice of Play. You’ll also find more information on all of the benefits outdoor play can bring to you and your children!

So what are you waiting for, friends? Grab your coat, get outside and enjoy the world around you!

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