My memories of playing outside as a kid range from the majestic (building the best forts ever constructed in the history of humanity! creating my own secret garden! SLEDDING!) to the miserable (having to wear too-small tights and a dress under bib snowpants! being sent outside and not allowed back in, in a manner very similar to this story or this story! slugs and worms in general!). But, like many childhood memories, they’re a bit exaggerated, and, almost definitely, totally different than what the adult on the other end of the caregiver equation remembers.

I spend a lot of time with kids, and much of it has been spent outside, whether it’s been as a nanny, coach, or aunt. It’s my favorite place to be with little kids, as everything can be an epic adventure full of imagination. Plus, it tires kids out, which is usually a key goal for any day. Developed over the years, these are my key tips for safe, happy play outside:

  • Get kids outside early and often. Whether it’s in a Bjorn, a backpack, or with their own two legs, bring them outside and get them used to all things sunshine, grass, dirt, sand, mud, and plants. If you’re familiar with the outdoors, then you’re comfortable, and if you’re comfortable, you’re imagining. And that’s the most fun FOR EVERYONE.

  • Make sure everyone is comfortable. There is nothing more discouraging to the love of the Great Outdoors than coldness, wetness, hotness, burn-ness, or hunger. Kids will never love skiing or sledding if they’re frozen or stuffed like cheesypuffs into a polyester, too-small, hand-me-down onepiece snowsuit. They will definitely never love the beach or hiking if they’re thirsty and hungry and sweaty and hot (I mean, I don’t either). And they will forget every happy memory if they’re sunburned and their skin is on fire. Remember: eat a big breakfast, pack delicious snacks and lots of water (don't forget water and snack breaks!), and apply sunscreen like a boss. Also, layers are of biblical import.

Child 1, ill-prepared for the outdoors, and letting everyone know.

  • “No Pee, No Ski.” As ridiculous as it sounds, this is the first rule of any great children’s ski coach. There is nothing more frustrating than everyone toddling outside, only to have little Jimmy say, “I have to peeeeeeeeeee” and then it’s another 23 minutes of delayering, accidentally dropping gloves in the toilet, re-layering, and sadly tromping back outside with wet little hands. Start the rule early, and enforce it nicely: no pee, no swimming; no pee, no sledding; no pee, no play. If kids know it’s coming, they’ll drop the guff and will happily use the bathroom.

Child 2 and Child 3, both well-prepared for the great outdoors.

  • Safety is the most important thing, ever. Little kids are fearless. They don’t understand that they’re breakable, they don’t know what things like “cliffs” are, they don’t understand water or river or deep ends, and they certainly don’t get dangerous plants (or animals, for that matter). Whether you’re in a ski park or on a mountain or in your backyard, establish some ground rules around the following:

    • If there are things that are particularly dangerous (i.e. pools/ponds, poison ivy, wasps nests), point them out and set really, really, really clear rules and knowledge about them. Though you can’t always police as a parent (unless it comes to water—I’m a firm believer in 100% supervision around bodies of water), you can build knowledge and awareness from the get-go.

    • Buddies: just like grownups always surf with a buddy, everyone has to swim, ski, and explore with a friend at their side - i.e., a buddy.

    • Limits: kids aren’t great at the concept of limits (see: any toddler given unsupervised access to puffs, ever), but they can usually figure out what they can and can’t do. Help provide them with a safe space and environment to experiment, and let them learn to use their own judgement, even if it means a couple of tears along the way.

  • Play outside, together and individually. I love my memories of playing with my parents and siblings outside (capture the flag!) but I also love the time I had outside alone (well, in the same space, but generally not being played with by anyone). I always felt like being outside helped me build confidence and independence, and I think it’s really important to gather that with engaged and solo-playtime.

Here in Boston, we’re pretty excited about the longer days and the promise of warmer weather (though who knows if it’s just a myth at this point). Enjoy your time outside, and adventure away!

From babies to brambles,

Dulcie