I’m excited again to share the second of the 4 part series on making family play outdoors play a priority and getting the family active, from the very talented and inspirational Michele, from Fun Orange County Parks.

Credit: Fun Orange County Parks

This is the second installment of a 4-part series.  Hopefully you read last week’s post (Week #1) about making up a calendar and reinventing Family Night.  Remember my keys to success?

1. Focus on the kids.
2. Get the WHOLE family involved.
3. Team up with other families.

Week 2

Give Yourself a Lazy Break.  Let the kids see you relax.  Set out some toys outside and either play with the kids or watch. Whenever you can pull it off, don’t rush.  Try not to schedule activities back-to-back so that you have time to take it slow. Take a nature walk together after dinner. Recommend: Nature Walk on the Oso Trail in Mission Viejo

Have a Library Book Picnic. Pull out some old cookbooks and find a new sandwich recipe. Or ask grandma and grandpa what they used to eat for lunch. Pack the food in muffin tins or some other funky container.  Then, make a trip to your local library and let each child pick out a book or two to read at your picnic.  Head to a park to eat. Little kids will enjoy special time with parents reading to them.  Encourage older kids to find a spot under a shade tree far away (but still within sight of you).  Ask the kids what they noticed in the nature around them.  What did they like about their outside time?

Would you rather take it day-by-day?  Look at Michele’s Make Playing Outside a Habit in 30 Days.

Come back to Daytrippingmom.com for Week #3 suggestions!

Michele Whiteaker promotes play by sharing local places on her FunOrangeCountyParks.com Play Blog.  Subscribe to her Play Trips newsletter which comes out weekly on Mondays. Join her page on Facebook where she’s built a local community of play enthusiasts.  Or just skip all that and go out and play!