Kids shunning health benefits of their local parks, commons and greens

Experts say spending time outdoors is good for us all, so why are we ignoring the green spaces available to us?

Taking the family to the park has always been an easy way for parents in urban Britain to get their kids back to nature, but a new study shows we are now becoming such an indoor nation that even a walk to the park is proving too big a chore for the average family. This is despite experts now saying that there are proven physical and mental health benefits to exposing yourself and your children to green space.

Parents agree with the experts, as according to a report commissioned by Arla Foods as part of its Kids Closer to Nature campaign almost 80% of parents believe that kids need to be exposed to a bit of wind, rain and the elements for the good of their health and development.

The study also shows that over 70% of parents agree that their children are happier when they play outdoors.

So why is the reality that one in five families have only visited their local park, green space, or common once or twice in the last year?

And it gets worse, with well over one in ten families admitting they have not visited a park in the last year. Only a fifth of parents say they are regular weekly visitors to their local green space.

Is it a safety issue? Almost half of parents do say they worry about their children’s safety when they play outside. However, if the family are together at the park then that risk is surely taken away.

Whatever the reasons, it’s clear that many children are missing out on valuable and vital time in nature, which experts agree creates happier and healthier individuals.

In this pdocast Chris Packham reveals more from the report and to discuss how parents can help their children to get out into Britain’s green spaces and reconnect with nature