SPECIAL SECTION: OUTDOOR & GARDEN
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A lot of kids are used to being entertained but the more we jump in and support them when they’ re bored, the less they learn how to play for themselves.”
FIVE EASY IDEAS TO INSPIRE OUTDOOR PLAY
1. Create a scavenger hunt. Print an example from the web or simply write a list of things – from sighting a cloud to finding a worm – for kids to discover and tick off. 2. Make a bakery. No childhood is complete until many mud pies have been made. 3. Welcome to the jungle. Send your kids outside with their animal figurines or dolls for a make-believe adventure in the‘ jungle’.
4. Create an obstacle course. Set up a simple course using household items then set the stopwatch to time your kids running, jumping and climbing their way to the finish line. 5. Grow your lunch.“ Kids love edible gardens,” says landscape architect Shane Kingsbury,“ especially watching fruit and veggies grow through the season and picking them to use in cooking.” sandpit or gets them utilising a ball is fantastic,” Kait says.“ That will give them some purpose or motivation to get outside.”
Get them started
With kids now spending more time indoors than ever before, some may need a little gentle encouragement to take themselves outside.“ A lot of kids are used to being entertained but the more we jump in and support them when they’ re bored, the less they learn how to play for themselves,” Kait says.“ If you’ ve got a kid who is less motivated to go outside, the first thing is to get outside with them. You might take your coffee and sit close by, so they feel connected to you, or you might ask them some questions and problem solve with them.”
A great outdoor activity for crafty kids, says Kait, is collecting rocks and leaves to use in their art and play; others may enjoy building fairy gardens.“ It might be worth spending a couple of minutes getting them set up,” she says.“ That’ s often enough to spark their inspiration and soon they’ ll be off and running.”
KIMBERLY GILLAN is a Melbourne-based lifestyle and health writer, and a regular contributor to Costco Connection.
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28 | SEP / OCT 2026 COSTCO CONNECTION