Spring Activities

With spring approaching, as parents you can start to think about different activities that you can do with your child to boost their mental health. When children are cooped up all winter long they can become anxious to want to play outside. As this anxiousness grows, it can start to affect other areas in their life. When the weather begins to get warmer, it is important to start doing outside activities. They will be able to get out their built-up energy and not feel cooped up anymore. If they are doing things that they like or new things, it will allow them to feel less anxious as well and boost their mental health.

Listed below are some fun activities that you can do with your child outside:

1. Fly a kite
2. Picnic in a park
3. Family bike ride
4. Play hide-and-seek
5. Side-walk art

Not only will outside activities boost your child’s mental health, they will boost physical health. With activities like a family bike ride or hide-and-seek, your child is exercising. Not only will your child’s physical health be boosted by the exercise but their mental health as well which is why it is important to do outside activities with them when it begins to get warmer outside.

“Physical activity also promotes mental health in children by helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. When kids exercise, it benefits both their bodies and their minds, helping them to feel better.”- Alicia Dallas

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist, please contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Written by Kara D, Undergraduate Intern 2023

Resources

The Benefits of Physical Activity for Children