The times they are a changing. I think that was a Dylan song. Yeah, that’s an understatement. When I was a kid…Yeah, that’s right, it’s one of those…
When I was a kid, I did not have to walk uphill both ways to school in 3 feet of snow. I would have been walking all day. I lived in the middle of the country. I rode the bus. But when I was a kid, there were no video games let alone home consoles. The Internet was in its early childhood; reserved for academics. I had a creek out back and 10 acres of woods to explore. And I did. I had a sandbox and trees to climb and miles of road to ride my bike on with little to fear from cars. My closest friend was two houses away; also known as a ten minute walk. That’s how close our houses weren’t.
When I was a kid I occasionally needed to be pushed to go outside and play. But that’s because I had my nose in a book.
Do places like that exist anymore? I don’t know. I live in suburbia in the internet age (heck, internet isn’t even capitalized anymore).
So with all the distractions and stresses we have today, it’s more important than ever to make sure you get some downtime. And I don’t just mean your kids. I mean you. And by downtime I don’t mean a night out at the bar or a bubble bath. I mean downtime outside. Enjoying nature at a local park. Taking a walk. Playing with your kids at a playground. Or even going outside and trying to hula hoop again like only a 6 year old can (well my 6 year old, I was not able to hula hoop at any age).
Do you need inspiration on getting out there and playing like a kid again? Check out the Voice of Play’s Playful Trends for some fun ideas on how to play like a kid again.
* This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own.
7 comments
It’s so great to be able to get outside and play! Are Hula hoops back? I did not know that.
Are they back? Probably not but my daughter LOVES them. It doesn’t hurt that she is able to swivel her hips and make it go … she thinks that is so cool. This particular hula hoop also glows in the dark which makes it that much cooler!
Anything to get the kids outdoors and active is essential. Our bodies need the vitamins only the sun can provide. Bet she’d really love a slip and slide. Oil that thing up first though. Then add the water. Fun fun fun.
I really need to learn how to do this again. I don’t get enough of it. I bought my grandchildren a trampoline and I often look at it and think I should go try it. I guess I just have to push myself to do this. Thank you for the great article
oh my !!! my niece loves playing outdoor like that. she said holahoop will help her to be a sexy lady. ^_^
I always loved to hula hoop and my daughter could do it for an hour straight!(she is 24 now) We will sure have to introduce my granddaughters to Hula hoops soon. I love that it glows also,…hadn’t seen those until now.
Definitely I remember the good times being a kid. I loved going to the playground and going on the swings, monkey bars and hopscotch. I also used to jump on the trampoline alot!