Kids don't always like doing what's best for their health, like eating their veggies or brushing their teeth. Their world is all about having fun! But here's a little secret...there's a lot more to their outdoor play than the simple joy and wonder of being outside. Outdoor active play also benefits kids' physical and mental health (shh, don't tell!) The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of outdoor play every day. In fact, they even encourage pediatricians to prescribe play for kids-it's true! In addition to developing reflexes, balance and strong muscles, active physical play is a natural way to lower anxiety and depression in children through the release of endorphins that improve mood and energy levels. Providing a variety of backyard toys and activities for your kids can also have a positive impact on their school performance and behavior. Exploring nature and outdoor games aids in cognitive development by supporting reasoning skills, independent thinking, and problem solving. Children learn to judge situations and think creatively through play on outdoor obstacles. Playing outdoor games and participating in outdoor activities has been shown to promote increased attention span and focus. Experts agree that kids spend way too much time on devices, staring at screens. That excessive screen time is linked with an increased amount of sedentary behavior, which can lead to multiple health problems. The perfect media-free zone? Getting kids outside in the fresh air and sunshine! Build a fort, swing, climb a tree, bounce a ball, splash in a sprinkler...they'll forget all about their phone! Like you, we believe in the importance of play. Give your kids the best start possible by encouraging them to get out that door, get active, get creative, get dirty, and most importantly-just have fun!