One of the greatest joys of parenting is moments of play because they bring so many benefits to the child and your continued relationship. From building new skills, creating healthy relationships and strengthening the body and mind, you absolutely need to play with your child.

To Create Lifelong Bonds

Attachment is one of the most critical buzzwords in parenting. Playing is one way to ensure your child maintains consistent, solid relationships with the adults in their life and other friendships later.

Oxytocin — known by some psychologists as the parenting hormone — is released during play, affecting everyone involved. It reinforces bonds during times of humor and affection. You never know what moments of laughter or storytelling will stick in your child’s head, but the wonder is in the opportunities.

The benefits of play happen in all types of moments, not just positive ones. Playtime promotes healing from disagreements and coping with tantrums. Working with adults to overcome these obstacles is just as formative as positive experiences.

There are many ways to create stronger bonds with your child in small playful ways, like:

• Allowing them to help you cook a meal, which they are rewarded for by eating.
• Making games out of household chores like picking up toys or tidying the dinner table.
• Taking time away from your technology to play with your child on the floor.

These are ways to incorporate play while showing your child they are a priority in your life. The parent-child relationship assembles with building blocks and none look the same. Regardless, they all emotionally invest in healthy attachments for life because you demonstrate sensitivity to your child’s needs and betterment.

To Get Outside Time

The move toward electronic engagement has shifted what’s considered “valuable ways” to spend free time. Though technology can offer infinite resources for learning, the value of going outside ranks just as highly. Being in nature can boost every facet of your child’s development, including physical, social, mental, and intellectual.

Reasons Why You Should Play Outside

Engaging with what’s available in nature, playground equipment, or focusing on a sport requires coordination, stamina, and strength. Supporting these physical attributes can provide other benefits like sharpening advanced motor skills by crawling, swinging, and climbing.

Social and emotional development deepens because engaging in outdoor play appeals to all five senses. This creates more self-awareness as they age and realize big-picture priorities, like caring about protecting the environment they played in. This appreciation will grow as Children learn the therapeutic effects of being in nature, like how it improves sleep and mood.

Ways to Keep Outdoor Play Engaging 

It may take time for children to notice the benefits of outdoor play naturally. Still, parents can boost enthusiasm by being creative. Feel free to travel to local or national parks for grander outdoor experiences, but playing can be just as captivating when it’s close to home.

Here are some ways to spice up outdoor activities to keep children curious:

• Make scavenger hunts, potentially themed around holidays or your child’s favorite movie or book.
• Introduce your kids to gardening by planting trees or even starting your own garden.
• Bring indoor activities outside, such as board games.

Most importantly, play with your child and follow their lead. Their energy increases if they see their parents just as animated as they are. It’s gratifying to partake in activities you may not have done since you were a Kid, like jump-roping or hopscotch — the level of fun goes way up if the action is fun for you, too.

To Nourish Brain Development

Playing with children is often an active endeavor, whether outside or not. You know it can build a strong body, but it can craft an equally strong mind. People who engage in play when they’re children are likely to continue into adulthood. This ensures the body and brain stay healthy by decreasing the likelihood of anxiety, depression, and stress-related hypertension.

Playing helps the brain develop in countless other ways. With it being a child-directed activity, they make most of the decisions. Not only does this help them practice efficient and informed decision-making, but it also helps them understand how to explore new concepts. Suppose they engage with their senses in a new way, for example. In that case, this allows the brain to understand new possibilities and stimuli.

No matter what the play looks like, it can also take milder forms, such as reading together or working on arts and crafts. These activities foster creativity in your children, especially if you also get imaginative. Try making sound effects while reading or showing kids new ways to use art materials. If parents provide their children with new adventures, it supports testing new ideas and practicing new skills. Even small acts like singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” engage both sides of the brain.

To Play is to Better Your Life

If you play with your child as they grow, it can significantly influence their life. You could see your kid make solid and healthy friendships because they are cooperative from playing on the playground. They’ll work hard to learn because you taught them how rewarding it is to solve puzzles. They may also express themselves honestly because your play reinforced how much you value them.

Playing with your child will shape their habits and mindsets for the rest of their life. Many parents who prioritized playing with their children have never regretted it.

p.s. Related posts:

Hiking and Camping Books for Kids

Picture Books to Get Kids Outdoors

How To: Keep Kids Active in the Winter (part 1)

How To: Keep Kids Active During Winter (part 2)

Family Challenge: 8 Mile (Death Defying) Hike

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