Originally written in 2011 and updated in January 2021.
10 years ago my husband wrote a very funny post about Polar Bear Moms as a response to the controversy over Tiger Moms. It was spoofing the news coverage of the concept of Tiger Parenting which is a form of strict and demanding parenting. Tiger Moms may push and pressure their child for academic achievement at an early age, but Polar Bear Moms demand their children have fun and play outdoors is all kinds of weather.
The post was shared on social media all over the world as it went viral. I was even surprised to be invited to be a guest on Australian radio to talk about being a Polar Bear Mom.Today, much has changed and the importance of getting kids outside has become recognized by both childcare professionals and the media. Many forest schools have started around the world showing the power of outdoor classrooms and outdoor learning while growing number of parents see that getting their kids to play outside is critical to childhood development. Despite growing up in a big city like Toronto, my kids have enjoyed a lot of free outdoor play over the years. I often hear parents say, “How to get my child to play outside?” There are no simple answers, but in my opinion it starts with parents and caregivers taking their kids outside when they are babies. The seeds we plant when they are young condition our kids to play outside without us when they are older and continue to look at outdoors play as a first option in these days where screens hold such a command on our lives.
Today my kids are 16 and 11 years old. My oldest enjoys exploring the city with her friends and loves skiing, skating, swimming and biking. My 11 year old still enjoys free outdoor play with her friends as well as all the outdoor activities we do as a family. – Kari
How to encourage outdoor play for kids ; 8 “tough love” rules of getting your kids to love outdoor fun.
Polar Bear Kids rules
1. Dress for the weather
Number one rule for polar bear kids is that children go outside dressed for the weather and wear visible outwear in the darker days of winter.
2. Never complain about being properly dressed
Kids are not allowed to complain about being properly dressed. They have to learn from an early age how to dress for the weather for warmth and comfort and outdoor play.
3. Kids go outside no matter the weather Before Polar Bear Kids were able to walk they were forced to go into nature in strollers. Babies sleeping in prams outside (even in the winter), two year olds walking on slippery ice and don’t get me started on the trees they have to climb or how dirty Polar Bear Kids get.
4. Master the art of getting dirty
If kids go outside for 30 minutes and come back with dirty hands after playing in the garden they are quickly sent back out until they are at least covered to the elbow with dirt and hopefully on the face and certainly the knees. It takes uncounted hours to master the art of getting dirty and outdoor play and kids need to practice, practice, practice.
5. For Polar Bear Kids, insist on fresh air, sunlight and play. Every day the kids are exposed to fresh air, sunlight, play and physical activities. Nature has designed these activities to develop creativity, gross & fine motor skills, social development and discipline with a general understanding about the world where they live. Polar Bear Kids have to climb trees, ski, water play, make channels and puddles, jump in the rain, pick dandelions and roll down hills.
6. Science, language and art is taught at the preschool level. Polar bear kids are really academically pushed right away with the introduction of natural and social sciences at an early age. Learning about animals and plants, picking berries, animal tracks, what happens when we freeze water… I am just scratching the surface and I just realized that they also are sneaking in physics.
7. Polar Bear Kids have to go and play on their own. And, as if all that pressure wasn’t enough! Polar Bear Kids must play outside with no agenda. Yes, I know… Telling kids to go outside to play without any idea of what they are suppose to do may sound a bit strict, and the kids may rebel at this point, but we are tough Polar Bear Parents.
8. Polar Bear Kids never complain about having too much fun. Kids certainly would never be allowed to complain about going outside and playing games and exploring without adult interference. Sure it looks like a bunch of silly fun, but a polar bear mom sees only the social, physical and cognitive benefits.
Outdoor Play ideas :
10 ways to play with snow
10 ways to play with ice
Make a heart shaped bird feeder for Valentine’s Day
10 outdoor play for winter with snow or without snow
