As the days are getting warmer and brighter, I’ve been doing all I can to get us outside more. The benefits to children of unstructured time in nature are so clear - everyone from Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason, to modern folks like Richard Louv, have demonstrated that kids learn about themselves, each other, and the natural world from time outdoors.
Living in the city makes it slightly tricky to get outside, but we are lucky to have three green spaces (one which is fairly wild) in walking distance, and plenty of others, including a protected bit of the Great North Wood, a short distance away. The real challenge has been balancing the needs of two kids with different ability levels and attention spans. A is three and a half, so he wants to run, cycle, climb, and explore. Birdie isn’t walking yet, so he wants to sit, crawl, and sift through sand and dry dirt. The terrain in wilder spaces isn’t suitable for crawling (and often has hidden dog poo!), but it’s the best place for ‘mountain biking’ games to happen.
How do you balance the needs of two (or more!) different age kids outside? Here’s a few strategies I’ve come up with to keep us all happy out of doors.
One climbing, one watching
Pair Up the Locations
A and I are happiest in our local wild cemetery, but Birdie has no choice but to be in the buggy or carrier when we’re there. So unless we’re just going for a short jaunt, trips to the cemetery are half of the adventure. We stay until we sense that Birdie is getting fed up, and then we head to the local sand pit so that he can have some active time. It’s a pretty dull park with little in terms of nature, but we’re still outdoors. We try to pair up visits to wilder locations that are unfriendly to crawling babies with places that are safe to explore.
Flat Spaces
When everyone needs some fresh air and gross motor challenge, I choose an outdoor space that is flat enough that A can cycle around freely and stay visible, while Birdie crawls around in the grass. This rules out more ‘natural’ parks with variable terrain, but it means that A can cycle a reasonable far distance away and still be safely within my view. Being far away but visible also gives him a sense of responsibility and practice with checking in with me.
Short Trips
It’s recommended that kids are outdoors for 4 or 5 hours a day, and that can feel like such an overwhelming proposition with two very small children that you just don’t go out at all. You don’t have to do everything at once! Start small and increase the amount of time outdoors as everyone becomes more physically robust and capable. I know once Birdie can walk, we’ll be outdoors more, but for now, I’m focusing on getting us outside for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. If we manage longer, great! But there’s no pressure to stay outside when it becomes too much.
Entertainment on Board
It’s a given that no matter how recently we’ve eaten, everyone will be asking for a snack as soon as we get outside. I distribute healthy snacks almost constantly when we’re outdoors. A long walk is much more enjoyable when you’re munching on an apple! For the times when I know Birdie will be contained in the buggy, I bring something for him to look at and hold. Bubbles are great - we can run the buggy through them, A can cycle through them, and it gets us looking up and out. I pick up anything interesting and baby-safe that I find along the way and hand it over for exploration: sticks, pine cones, leaves, non-toxic flowers. Sometimes, finding things for the baby to hold becomes a great treasure hunt that we all get involved in.
Make the Most of Your Own Outdoor Space
A messy garden is a delight to a small explorer
If you are lucky enough to have access to your own outdoor space, whether it’s a garden or a balcony, make the most of it. Outdoor time doesn’t need to be at the beach or in the woods to count. There’s plenty to see, watch, and experience in a small back garden or on a high-rise balcony. What birds can you observe? What trees do you see? Are there any wildflowers or cultivated plants? Some of our happiest times are spent doing nothing in particular in our back garden, digging in the dirt, tasting grass, and watching the sycamore tree in the breeze.
What’s your favourite outdoor space like? Do you find it easy to get out with more than one child, or is it a challenge?