National Wildlife Federation Recommends 'Time Out' New Years Resolution

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In 2013, Resolve to Spend Time Outdoors With the Family

Reston, Va. (PRWEB) December 20, 2012

One of the most popular New Year's Resolutions is to “spend more time with my family.” National Wildlife Federation says one of the best ways to keep that resolution all year long is to head outdoors where families can enjoy time together while improving the physical and mental health of their children.

In 2013 resolve to "Be Out There" and spend more time in the company of Mother Nature. By doing this, families can recapture an essential part of childhood that is being lost; the part that makes outdoors the favorite play space.

It's easier than you think to work into a family routine and National Wildlife Federation's "Be Out There" program will be there throughout the year with activities, ideas and inspirations to get more green time into kid's lives.

New research by National Wildlife Federation showed that a lot of parents agree about the importance of outdoor play time:

  • More than half of moms surveyed believe kids should get at least an hour per day of outdoor time
  • 94 percent say their kids are not getting enough outside play
  • 78 percent would like to get their kids outside more
  • One-third of moms feel guilty their kids aren't outside playing more often

While acknowledging its importance, parents also shared the biggest road blocks for making outdoor time happen: weather (61 percent), safety concerns (38 percent), lure of technology (36 percent), homework (31 percent). Add to that all the extra-curricular activities that kids today are involved in and it's not hard to understand why outdoor play time is losing ground.

Besides family time, the outdoors offers many emotional and physical benefits to children of all ages:

  • Stronger – Sunshine helps kids' bodies create Vitamin D, essential to building strong bones and preventing disease,
  • Leaner – Overweight and obese kids may have shorter life spans. Giving kids the run-around outdoors helps them maintain a healthy weight,
  • Kinder – Mom always said “play nice”. When kids play outdoors they tend to go just that, fostering compassion and improving social bonds,
  • Calmer – In today's overscheduled world, kids need more R&R. Research shows stress levels fall within minutes of being outside,
  • Smarter – Kids who spend time playing and exploring outdoors learn teamwork and problem-solving skills. They also score higher on cognitive and standardized tests.
  • Caring – Playing outside is life insurance for the planet: children who spend time outdoors as kids are more likely to care about wild things and wild places when they become adults.

  • Stronger – Sunshine helps kids' bodies create Vitamin D, essential to building strong bones and preventing disease,
  • Leaner – Overweight and obese kids may have shorter life spans. Giving kids the run-around outdoors helps them maintain a healthy weight,
  • Kinder – Mom always said “play nice”. When kids play outdoors they tend to go just that, fostering compassion and improving social bonds,
  • Calmer – In today's overscheduled world, kids need more R&R. Research shows stress levels fall within minutes of being outside,
  • Smarter – Kids who spend time playing and exploring outdoors learn teamwork and problem-solving skills. They also score higher on cognitive and standardized tests.
  • Caring – Playing outside is life insurance for the planet: children who spend time outdoors as kids are more likely to care about wild things and wild places when they become adults.

Join the "Be Out There" movement in 2013 and resolve to make family outdoor time a priority:

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  • Take the pledge to "Be Out There" and pick up ideas on how to enhance your family's outdoor time. Learn about simple and fun activities that can incorporate nature into your child's life.
  • Like "Be Out There" on Facebook and share your pledge
  • Join NWF's Facebook chat party on Jan 17 and visit with other parents about how to fit more outdoor time into the family routine,

  • Take the pledge to "Be Out There" and pick up ideas on how to enhance your family's outdoor time. Learn about simple and fun activities that can incorporate nature into your child's life.
  • Like "Be Out There" on Facebook and share your pledge
  • Join NWF's Facebook chat party on Jan 17 and visit with other parents about how to fit more outdoor time into the family routine,

There's a reason they call it the great outdoors and a New Year's Resolution to "Be Out There" will help your children understand why. This is one time out the whole family will enjoy.

National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children's future.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/12/prweb10261680.htm

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