Is Is Just My Kids?

Well my children are like that as well.They NEVER want to go outside and they say the same thing.Difference is mine are 7,10 and 15 and we live in a apartment complex.But we have a playground in the neighborhood.They say the other kids outside are mean and always wanna fight though as well as the "its boring".I guess kids nowadays prefer to be indoors were its safe and their in their element.Children are also very smart too.They hear what goes on and listen to us tell them about all the stuff going on in the world today.So maybe that adds a little to it as well.

My mom used to spread a sheet under a shady tree in the yard and allow me to play Barbies there. For some reason, it was so much more fun than playing with them in the house. She would even put a large plastic tub of water next to it so my Barbies could "swim" and boat. These simple things got me to go outside on nice days. My friends would sometimes join me, other times I saw them playing and joined them (for a little more physical play, like kickball or bike riding). At least I got some fresh air and a change of routine, and some days abandoned the Barbies and got some exercise.
I continued this with my own kids, and even packed their lunches in lunch boxes to take outside and eat. It even worked for my oldest, who would have gladly spent her life in front of the TV otherwise.
Maybe you could try it too ?

I used to love playing outside if there was a purpose for me to be outside. If not, I much preferred reading. My mom ended up kicking me outside one day. It was then that I realized that I could read outside, too.

Maybe your kids need a purpose for going outside. Maybe they really don't like bugs. (I don't, either!) Whatever the reason, ask them why they don't like going outside, and work together with them to find a way to get them out. May be they want to be big and set up a tent and use it as their playroom. (That would be really cool!) See what they come up with.

Also, talk to them about why you think it's important for them to be outside. They may just be really confused by you, too.

Do they have things to do in their rooms? Like watching TV, video games, and stuff like that? We have come to an age where kids are alot more lazy than we ever were. Not saying this for your kids, but health problems are on the rise since kids aren't getting exercise anymore.
Do you have a nearby park? Maybe you can take them there once a day. Maybe being around other children will motivate them to get the exercise they need during the day.
My children are the same way. Especially my 3 year old. We will go outside together, of course. But he gets bored easily and wants to come inside for TV, which he is addicted to. So I take him to the city park for an hour or two a day to play with other children and to get his exercise. He loves it.

I was like you, my mom had to drag me in the house for dinner and then a bath later on. Summers was the worst, I was out all day long and into the night. My girls play in the house most days, but now they'll play outside some days. They are 11 and 12 now. We have all the outside type toys too. I think what it is is that with all the bad things that can happen to kids now a days, they sense that and don't want it to happen to them. We live in a fairly safe neighborhood, and live in a cul-de-sac, but wouldn't let our kids go past our corner for fear of something happening. Even if that fear isn't expressed verbally they can sense it. They would rather be inside where they are comfortable. My kids still love to hang in the basement and actually taught themselves to roller skate and ride a scooter in our basement, now they do those things outside, but wouldn't before. (and they go around the corner and down the street now too) I wouldn't worry to much, it is just the generation they live in and we live in now. Hope this helps. Good luck and God Bless.

Maybe you could do a treasure hunt. Look around and make up a list of things in your yard that would be fun for them to find and give them a prize or fun activity if they finish it. You could even give them a digital camera and have them do a photo treasure hunt.

Maybe try letting them take the things they like to play with outside. I always loved to be outside but my sisters did not. So the compromise was that they could take the barbies and dolls out and play on the patio or driveway with them. I remember using our Barbie Jeeps outside and pushing strollers up and down the sidewalk. We took good care of of our toys when they were outside so they never got really dirty or anything. Sometimes it was the only way my mom could get them to go out! Some kids are just not into the "outdoor" toys!

Good luck! It has been beautiful out lately! I have quite the opposit problem as I have a 2.5 year old that I cannot get in the house!!!

It may be a comfort issue. When we were kids it felt better outside because, even after we got an air conditioner, it was rarely used. Also, consider allergies. Not all environmental sensitivities cause sneezing or itchy eyes or coughing. Some just seem to drain energy or even cause depression. You might try going outside and playing with them and look for changes in their energy levels, moods, complextion, etc. There is a book by Dr. Doris Rapp, Is This Your Child? It explains the multiple ways allergies and sensitivities can present themselves in children.

Otherwise, you might consider declaring a work time for yourself and let them know that for that amount of time anyone indoors does chores and all play moves outside during mom's 'work time'. This could also be a 'rest time' or something else that might give them some gentle insentive to take their Barbies on a journey into the wilds of the back yard.

My grandmother had a wonderful way of moving us outside. She packed us a picnic lunch. We never knew that was her way of getting us out from under foot. We always felt that she had done something special just for us. It was an adventure to eat outside and to have our meal away from the adults.

So, you might want to get creative with ideas to help them discover the joy of the outdoors.

sunshine is the best thing for growing bones and provides vitamins.
I would go outside with them set up a table with an umbrella and set up their barbies.show them how much fun outside can be wit their favorite inndoor stuff. They could use the slide for the barbies. set up an obsticle course for the scooters or bikes.
You are doing right making them go outside and play. tell them one hour perhaps.

some kids are like that but like you I had to be dragged inside. My daughter loves being outside but she is a lot younger than your two. I'd suggest maybe taking the barbies outside. I took all my toys outside and being in the country I took my barbies for a horseback ride with me. Otherwise play with them outside not just stand out there and watch. Make up some kind of game or something. My house has lots of walnut trees so picking up walnuts seems to entertain my daughter. Maybe try getting them to go for a walk and see if they can spot certain things like a squirelle eating or dog barking. Otherwise it probably is a phase until the teen years when they never want to leave the tv, computer ect...

i actually remember going through this phase. it might be they're getting more "girlie" as they get older and aren't as interested in getting dirty/hot/sweaty, whatever. can they take the barbies outside? maybe set up a "pool" for the barbies (a bowl or small bucket of water) for them to play in. also maybe take walks together as a family or other outside activities, just go get them some excercise. good luck...i think kids get into different things at different times...by the middle of summer my son was bored with the park next door and the swimming pool...and we live in an apartment so we don't have a yard with lots of exciting toys.

They're probably at the age where they know what they like to do. My son is the opposite of me, he loves being outside whereas I would love to stay locked in the house all day sewing. I think the fact that they will do other things besides watch tv in the house is a good sign and maybe you shouldn't force them.

S., it isn't just your kids I promise! My daughter is a bit "anti nature" at times, she doesn't like insects or dirt. You just have to make it more appealing to them. Have a day where your family goes "unplugged" no computer, no tv...you can take almost anything outside, set up a table and you can do board games outside. Take a picnic in the backyard. Set up an art station and make nature collages, paint leaves and make "leaf stamps" Start a family garden. I loved the treasure hunt idea that someone posted. Lots of luck!
B.

Well my daughter loves to be outside if she can but she is also 20 months. I would say as long as your kids are not wanting to stay in a play video game or watch tv that should be fine. They are using there imagination and that is a very important part of childhood. I remember being that age and I was big into barbies and would rather play with them then go outside I guess it just depends on the person.

well with my kids they don't have a big yard or very much stuff to play with outside, however when we go somewhere where there is room to play they love it and sometimes they will ride their bikes or take a soccer ball outside but they are inside a lot more than they are outside. I think our fast paced lives have caused kids not to want to be outside so much so they are content inside finding things to do. I know when I was a kid we lived outside too but we weren't on the run all the time and had a slower paced lifestyle plus we didn't have air conditioning so it was usually cooler to play outside under a shade tree than to be inside the hot house so we took a lot of our toys outside to play with.
Maybe they could take their barbies and play in the jungle gym as their clubhouse or make them a tent with a blanket on the patio draping the blanket over chairs or even set up a tent in the back yard for them to play barbies in.

Hi S.,
I remember being younger and playing outside all day and only coming in for dinner too! I also remember a stage I went through where all I wanted was to play with my barbies. Maybe your two girls are just really into barbies now. Some girls don't like being outside because it's dirty and the things to do out there are for boys. Who knows what the reasoning is! Maybe suggest to them to pack up their barbies and have their dolls go on a nature hike--outside! ;)

My kids have always loved being outside. But I absolutely hated it and still do. I suffer through taking the kids outside because I am a mom and daycare provider. But I really hate it and know a lot of kids do.

Suzi

My kids (5&3) have been the exact same way. I keep buying different toys to play outside and they just want to play in the playroom, one with barbies and the other, putting puzzles together. I have to force them outside!! I have no advice because I'm struggling with the same thing.

My kids go through this too. Luckily, it seems that once I force them out they seem to find something to do and have fun eventually. I tell them that I don't want to hear about it and if they want to pout they can do it on the outside step. It never lasts very on.

Maybe you could have a few of their Barbies be "outside" Barbies - that way they can play outside but with something they really enjoy. I'm with you, my mother had to drag us in for dinner. I wonder if the toys they play with inside now are too much fun and the great outdoors just doesn't look so great. How sad.

Nope, it is not just your kids. Society has changed. Kids would rather be inside and tv, computer and video games are a big hang up. You are doing the right thing though by makin them go out though I think that all kids need outside time. Maybe you could try setting a schedule that this time everyday is outside time, try going for walks, the park somewhere different from home and then they might start wanting to be outside.

Good luck!