https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 23:55:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day/page/2#post-2124498 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:33:53 +0000 illumina 2124498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Great article! My childhood was exactly like that "just go outside and play!" whilst my Mum did her own thing! My parents had no idea where we were all day until we came home for dinner! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124484 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:25:53 +0000 tysonja 2124484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thankfully we have pretty mild weather even in the winter, and a backyard to play in, so they average about 1 hr in the winter and 3+ in the spring/summer/fall. i'm thankful for our weather! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124474 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:19:20 +0000 jedeve 2124474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: that's a great point. You always here numbers about "child abductions aren't any worse today!" But there a life more factors in what makes it safe for kids. Like, the park in the section 8 housing neighborhood down the street from us is just in shambles compared to the city parks in other parts of town. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124459 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:08:39 +0000 Jess1483 2124459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first reaction was "oh, that's awful." We try to get outside all the time, even though we live in a generally cold climate. We go outside if it's not below zero most days (although frankly there are some days we just don't get out). </p> <p>My second reaction was thinking about the kids I taught in inner-city Chicago. I never advocated that they go outside and play--it simply wasn't safe to go outside in their neighborhood. When you take the number of kids in the US for whom it's not safe to play outside, the average number makes a lot more sense (not that it's good, but it's a reality). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124458 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 15:07:57 +0000 jedeve 2124458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meredithNYC: that's totlly what we do - just sit on our front steps and play on the yard. We have a backyard too but I kinda like to people watch from the front yard! And even just doing that makes a HUGE difference in LO1's behavior. He will instantly go from being whiny and clingy to content and entertaining himself. </p> <p>@Applesandbananas: @looch: I was wondering if it would get harder or easier at school age. Less free time but also more independence. (Sometimes I can't wait for the "go play outside!" stage!). </p> <p>@lady grey: I have heard of them! They might be a bit too much for me, but it's an interesting concept. There is a nature Montessori playground my former boss had her kid at. I think she liked it!</p> <p>I haven't looked at the study, but I am curious about how winter plays in. I mean, even if you get zero outside time during winter (and here we can have snow 6 mo a year), that would mean you were only getting 10-15 minutes in the summer? That still seems crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124450 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:47:18 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2124450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unless it's bitter cold, raining or snowing, LO goes outside for at least two walks or a trip to the playground everyday. We also take her obn errands so that requires walking outside. Since we have no car, she gets out even if she is not running around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124447 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:44:28 +0000 lady grey 2124447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am actually researching outdoor preschools for my LO right now. I have found two in the Boston area. Anyone have their kids in one?</p> <p>Have you all heard of the "adventure" playgrounds in England?<br /> <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/03/hey-parents-leave-those-kids-alone/358631/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124427 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:21:41 +0000 PurplePeony 2124427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: the article I read said they were testing it on some of the Chinese students to see if it makes a difference, so I'm planning to follow along to see what they find out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124419 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:17:36 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2124419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: it would be really interesting to hear other possible solutions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124415 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:15:50 +0000 PurplePeony 2124415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I read that, too, and it worries me because even though DD gets outside quite a bit at daycare and we try for at least an hour on weekend days unless it's crappy out, we just don't get much sun here. The summer is awesome but winter can be months of gray, overcast, drizzly yuck. I read the article as saying that getting outside at all is key, but the quality of the light is also a big factor. I'm really nearsighted and don't want that for DD if it can be avoided...I'm seriously considering whether we need to get a sun lamp (to supplement outdoor time, not replace it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124410 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:12:48 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2124410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: wow that's a long time! I thought we were doing g good with our outdoor time! We spend one to two hours outside a day (sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes consecutive, sometimes not). LO adores outside. ETA: LO is only 18 months though, between meal times, diaper changes, naps and things I need to get done I can't possibly take her out that much! lol maybe one day when she can play outside a lone for a bit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124401 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:08:26 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2124401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's about what we averaged this winter. Between the weather and a newborn it was tough getting out for a couple months there. So glad the weather is warming up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124400 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:07:34 +0000 travelgirl1 2124400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had a horrible winter but DD probably gets more daily outdoor time than that - albeit in the stroller - because I still take her out and it takes time to get places. In the summer she gets much more, but only at playgrounds. We don't have a garden or yard, it makes me sad that she doesn't get the outdoor experiences DH and I had. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124391 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:02:13 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2124391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was reading that myopia is on the rise in children and they really need 3-4 hours outside per day to fully mature their eyesight! I'm thankful we live in a warm climate; LO is probably outside for a couple of hours a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124324 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 13:25:02 +0000 Adira 2124324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can definitely see that since we live somewhere with a long cold winter! It's just recently started warming up enough to go outside. When it's nice, Xander spends 1-2 hours outside, but we went months without spending much time outside during the winter! So I can definitely see the average being low. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124283 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:51:54 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2124283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so sad. I literally spent my whole childhood outside. We always lived on acreage and had horses, chickens, etc. I remember following my older brother into the woods as he cleared a path for us with a machete.....he couldn't have been older than 9! We rode bikes to the neighbors and all around our block, had water fights, and even during the middle of the winter or in the rain, we were out of the house.</p> <p> I didn't realize it then, but my mom had like no fear. She wasn't worried about hanging over us and watching our every move, worried we might get hurt or lost or scared or kidnapped. Now that I'm a parent, I realize how much freedom she gave us and how different it is today. I think my experience is also much different since I was homeschooled. We weren't gone at school all day.</p> <p>I'm a big outdoors person (maybe because of my upbringing?) and we have really mild weather here, so my girls usually spend hours each day outside, as long as it's not raining. We have a fully fenced backyard that's great for playing, and we are close to tons of beaches and parks. Even though my oldest daughter is only almost 3, she still gets to go play at the neighbors' house all by herself. I want her to have a childhood like I did! I hope she looks back on her life and remembers her crazy adventures with the band of neighbor kids and countless hours spent in the dirt. :-P</p> <p>This is a cute article, for those who haven't read it yet: </p> <p><a href="http://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/what-would-my-mom-do-drink-tab-and-lock-us-outside" rel="nofollow">http://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/what-would-my-mom-do-drink-tab-and-lock-us-outside</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124218 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:16:52 +0000 BananaPancakes 2124218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At first, this number shocked me, but after reading a lot of the responses, I guess it does make sense for much of the country that has such cold winters. Being in an area where we can be outdoors the entire year (though the summers are brutal), means we are able to spend time outside every day. Add in the fact that all of our hobbies involve being outdoors and that DS can't stand being inside, and I know we're way above that average. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124173 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:47:11 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2124173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid would live outside if we let him! The summer months especially. It has to be pretty cold for him not to want to be outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124166 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:44:39 +0000 looch 2124166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I can see this being a big problem as my son gets older and moves to a traditional school setting. With getting enough sleep, being in school and having to do homework, there aren't enough hours in the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124153 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:38:40 +0000 Mama Bird 2124153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. That's my son. It's killing me, but I can't break out of working long hours unless I quit. Thankfully DH has a shorter work day ("only" 10 hours with the commute) so he can take DS outside if weather is nice. Which might be any day now? Maybe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124089 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:43:33 +0000 Applesandbananas 2124089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a small yard so our outdoor time is mostly on the playground or letting ds pull his wagon around the block. Factoring in the winter--the cold and the fact that it's dark by the time we get home-I believe it.</p> <p> But I don't think this was aimed at babies/toddlers. I think it'll be easier to get outside more as DS gets older, even the after work part, so what if it's dusk when you're shooting hoops for 20 minutes after school? That's a lot different than letting a toddler run around at dusk! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124078 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:36:35 +0000 yoursilverlining 2124078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid only beats this average because of daycare. If I was a SAHM, I know I wouldn’t take her out as much as daycare does. My LO doesn’t especially like going outside, but likes it when she can play with her friends. But to just go out if it were her/I. No way. Daycare takes them out for 30-60+ minutes every day that is over 20-something degrees (can’t remember exactly). They go out even if it’s snowing (not if it’s like a blizzard, though), raining, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124074 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:35:27 +0000 avivoca 2124074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're working on getting better about it now that it's warmer. H loves to get outside! We do go on walks ever weekend with the dog no matter what the temperature though, and I babywear then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124069 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:33:29 +0000 Mamasig 2124069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: You had to head home when the street lights came on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124066 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:32:25 +0000 Mamasig 2124066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boys love being outside. Actually it's harder to make them come inside. I live on a highway in the "country" but the house is far enough off the road that it's ok. We stroll the baby outside, play with bubbles and chalk, have tons of push toys and cars, a slide, etc. When they were really young, just watching passing cars entertained them! I live in the south so we can play outside most of the year. When it starts to get dark, DS1 looks for the moon. It's amazing how easily entertained they are outside! I think my boys will definitely be outside kids even though I was an inside kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124065 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:32:14 +0000 Greentea 2124065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>as long as it is over 20 degrees we spend hours outside. we walk everywhere and enjoy long walks in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124062 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:30:17 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2124062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they average over the year I totally believe this. My kids went days without going outside this winter! I don't see the point to taking a non mobile baby out in the cold, so K got the short end of the stick. Now that the weather's warming up we will try to go to the playground every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124058 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:27:42 +0000 lovehoneybee 2124058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the windchill is above 25 they take them outside at daycare, but that's pretty much all he gets during the week, at least during the winter--we weren't getting home until after dark. And even now, when it's warming up and the sun is still out we still have to stick to a schedule...dinner and bath and bed with not much time for outside play. </p> <p>We try to make up for it on the weekends, though. D takes him bike riding all the time, or skiing (during the winter, obviously), or we go hiking or something.</p> <p>ETA: But man, when I was a kid my parents practically shoved us out of the house, as did all of our neighbors with their kids. Dawn to dusk, as long as I stuck near my brothers and we were home by dinner we would be out all day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124050 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:22:06 +0000 meredithNYC 2124050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can believe this. My 3 year old LOVES going outside and this year's terrible winter has made it incredibly challenging to meet her (I think essential) need to be outdoors. Now that it's finally in the 40's we get a lot more time - often even just hanging out in the driveway or front yard. It's nothing all that special, but it makes a world of difference to her mood and behavior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-average-american-child-spends-4-7-minutes-outside-a-day#post-2124048 Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:21:30 +0000 Andrea 2124048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes. We definitely don't get out much in the winter, but I always wonder why I don't see more kids outside when the weather is good! </p>