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    Home » Blog

    How to get your shy kids outside to play this Summer!

    Published: Sep 13, 2018 by Heidi. This post may contain affiliate links 8 Comments

    Do you have a child who struggles to interact with other people? One who hides indoors with a book or electronics rather than enjoying the fun going on outside with other kids? There's nothing wrong with enjoying a good book and some alone time, but social skills are important, too. Being alone with a book all the time can get depressing. Here are some ideas to get your introverted or shy child outside this Summer.

    Need help getting your introverted or shy child outside this summer? Check out these great tips! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Parenting Tips

    Tips for your Introverted or Shy Child

    Open the blinds and windows

    Okay, this sounds kind of silly and simple, but there's something about letting in the light and fresh air that just makes everyone happier. When you can see what's going on outside, you're much more likely to want to get up, get going, and get outside.

    Think about it. If the blinds are closed, aren't you more likely to stay in your jammies and get nothing done? So are your kids.

    Unplug

    RELATED: Setting Technology Limits for Kids, Technology Token System

    Set aside a day or two each week (or a block of time each day) when electronics are all turned off. This includes parents. If your child (or you) is consumed by books, maybe this means putting books aside, too. (I never thought I'd ever tell a kid it was time to put away a book, but everyone needs balance, and kids do need to do other things besides read.) If kids have a hard time thinking of things to do when they are unplugged, be prepared with some ideas the first few times you try this. After a while, they'll be used to it and have their own ideas.

    Give Choices, not Ultimatums

    Instead of saying things like, "You need to go outside and play or else . . ." try giving choices. Say things like, "It's time to put the book down for a while. You can (insert something to do), or (insert another choice).  Which would you like to do?" Or, "I have a few things that I need help with, or you can call a friend."

    Or, how about "I thought it might be fun to invite a friend over and try _____ or _____. Which would you like to do?"

    Update your Outdoor Furniture

    This one might cost you a little money (or you could shop at a thrift store). Create some areas outside that are fun to spend time in. This will differ depending on the age of your kids. For teens, a nice place to sit outside alone or gather with friends and family might be all the encouragement needed to step outside instead of hanging out inside all day. For younger children, you might try a sandbox, a simple swing set, or a trampoline.

    We recently got a fire pit and some chairs so that we could hang out and talk outside as a family. This will be a fun place for supervised teens to gather, too.

    Even if your child chooses to sit outside with a book, they might just see a friend outside and choose to put the book down. They get to spend time with a friend, and they didn't have to go out of their comfort zone to do any inviting. Bonus.

    Take Snacks Outside

    Make snack time outside time. Hey, you might even save yourself some kitchen cleaning work with this idea! Time for a snack? Grab one and take it outside. Don't come back in until it's all gone.

    Time to put down the books and have some fun. Check out these tips to help your shy or introverted child get outside this summer {OneCreativeMommy.com} Parenting Tips
    Pull out the Old Fashioned Toys

    Nothing brings on a smile (and out the neighborhood kids) like vintage toys. When I say "vintage" I mean the oldies, but goodies. They still make them today, but they've been around forever. Pull out the frisbees, the pogo sticks, the jump ropes, the hula hoops, and the sidewalk chalk.

    Sure, they seem boring compared to electronics, but guess what? They're tons of fun for all ages. Whenever our pogo stick comes out, kids of all ages come over to try it out, and then they stay to play and visit.

    Want to make your own vintage toy? Try these tin can stilts! Remember them?

    Just in time for summer, recycle tin cans into a classic toy -- Tin Can Stilts! {OneCreativeMommy.com} I remember playing with these when I was a kid!

    Go Fly a Kite!

    In the famous words of Mary Poppins (or whichever character actually said it--Mr. Banks?), "Go fly a kite!" Even better, make your own kites, and then go fly them.

    Get your kids outdoors and bust boredom this summer with easy mini paper kites! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Such a fun kids craft!

    Plan Family Activities

    Plan some family activities (and don't forget to join in yourself!). Get the whole family outside this summer by planning some fun outings. Big or small, just go somewhere.

    Take a picnic to a local park, visit a splash pad, go to a local swimming pool, try out a museum, etc. Or, get creative and create a family skit or do a talent show. Be sure to video tape it! (If your teen is reluctant to get involved, let them be the director or choreographer.)

    Too shy to get outside and have fun with friends this summer? Check out these great tips for shy kids {OneCreativeMommy.com} Parenting Tips
    Invite Friends

    Often kids are homebodies until they are invited by a friend to do something. Suddenly, their eyes light up, and they're ready for action. Help them share that joy with someone else by helping them plan a simple activity and then call to invite a friend.

    Here are some great ideas for busting boredom with teens and tweens this summer. Most are perfect for doing with friends.

    Got bored teens? Check out these awesome boredom buster ideas for teenage girls! {OneCreativeMommy.com} 41 ideas ready to print for a Summer Boredom Buster Jar

    Put them to Work-Yes, Work!

    If all else fails, yard work is always a great way to get your kids outside. It's a great way to teach discipline, service, etc, and it cures boredom instantly. Get outside and work together as a family, or give your teen a paying job in the yard.

    Some of these ideas are silly, some are serious, but all hopefully will help those teens get outside and maybe -- just maybe -- socialize a bit!

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Jenn

      September 19, 2016 at 6:28 pm

      These are great ideas,my middle child is so shy and rarely ever wants to play outside. I will usually have them eat lunch outside while we play. That usually gets him motivated.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        September 20, 2016 at 10:28 pm

        That's a great idea, Jenn. Anything to get them physically outside. Hopefully, the pull of nature will do the rest!

        Reply
    2. valmg @ Mom Knows It All

      September 19, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Those suggestions make sense. My oldest was never shy and was always outside, kids should play outside.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        September 20, 2016 at 10:29 pm

        I've never been shy, so it's really hard for me to know what to do with my shy kids!

        Reply
    3. Carrie

      September 20, 2016 at 12:35 am

      These are all great tips! We don't normally have a problem getting our kids ouside! They go out in any kind of weather. I think they would live outside if they could.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        September 20, 2016 at 10:30 pm

        You're lucky, Carrie. That's great that your kids love to be outside. Outside and away from electronics is the healthy way to go!

        Reply
    4. Marcie W.

      September 20, 2016 at 8:02 am

      These are great tips to utilize all year round, as outside play is such an important part of childhood. I plan to check out those tween ideas too, as my oldest is twelve and my true introvert.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        September 20, 2016 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks, Marcie. I need to remember how to play outside myself! I think as a grownup I need to remember to spend time outside instead of in front of the computer working.

        Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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