“Want to go outside?”
“In a minute.”
If you have a kid who loves video games, you’ve probably had that conversation. Maybe more than once today.
You can understand the appeal. They’re building something, playing with friends or trying to beat a level they’ve been working on. Meanwhile, “go outside” can sound like an invitation to stop doing something fun and figure out something else.
It helps to have a more specific invitation.
“Want to see how many baskets we can make?”
“Let’s build a course.”
“Think you can beat me?”
Give them something to get curious about. Here are a few ways to start.
Turn Outdoor Play Into a Challenge
A basketball hoop and a ball give you plenty to work with.
Pick three shooting spots. Make one basket from each, then move farther away. Try to beat your own score. Let your child choose a shot you both have to attempt.
You can do the same with a soccer ball. Set up a small goal with two cones and take turns shooting. Add a dribbling course. See how many passes you can make together without losing control of the ball.
Keep the challenge achievable, and let your child change the rules. You might end up playing a game neither of you would have invented alone.
Let Them Build the Game
For a kid who loves Minecraft or other building games, creating the activity might be the most interesting part.
Give them a few flat cones and let them design a course. They can decide where you have to run, where you have to stop, and which section requires balancing a ball or walking backward.
Then ask them to show you how it works.
Try it together. Move things around. Add a section. Make a second version.
You don’t need an elaborate setup. A few pieces of gear and room to experiment can give them plenty to work with.
Make Exploration a Mission
“Let’s take a walk” might get a shrug.
“Let’s see if we can find five things we’ve never noticed here” gives the walk a purpose.
Try a simple scavenger hunt:
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Find three different kinds of leaves.
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Spot something an animal has built.
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Find a tree wider than your arm span.
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Listen for a bird before you try to locate it.
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Choose the most interesting thing you discover.
Let your child make the next list for you. Their ideas may be much better than yours.
Invite a Friend
Sometimes the appeal of gaming is the people on the other end of the headset.
An outdoor invitation can have that same social draw. Meet a friend at the park. Bring a ball or a flying disc. Give them a few options and room to decide what they want to do.
You don’t have to organize an entire afternoon. A simple game of catch can be enough to get things started.
Give Them a Choice You Can Actually Deliver
Instead of asking, “What do you want to do?” try offering two or three things you’re ready for.
“Basketball or soccer?”
“Want to throw the football or try pickleball?”
“Should we play a game or make up our own?”
That’s easier when the equipment is together and you know where it is.
It’s frustrating to get everyone interested in going out, then spend the next twenty minutes looking for a ball and wondering where the pump went.
That scramble was part of the reason we created TIVVY | PARK. It brings basketball, soccer, football, a flying disc, pickleball paddles and outdoor essentials into one family activity go-bag.
The balls arrive deflated, with a pump and packing guide included. Once you’ve set it up, you can keep the bag in your trunk or closet so you have a few choices ready when an opportunity to play comes along.
Start With Something Small
You don’t have to turn a reluctant gamer into an outdoor enthusiast in one afternoon.
Try a short game of catch. Shoot a few baskets. Let them show you the course they built.
If they’re in the middle of an online game with friends, agree on a stopping point rather than expecting an immediate exit. Then follow through on the activity you suggested.
Some ideas will land. Others won’t. Pay attention to what they enjoy and try more of that.
And join in when you can.
An invitation to go outside can be easy to put off. An invitation to play with you gives them something specific to say yes to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor activities might appeal to kids who love video games?
Start with what they enjoy about gaming. Kids who like challenges may enjoy basketball shooting games or soccer courses. Kids who like building may enjoy designing an obstacle course. Kids who like exploration may enjoy scavenger hunts. Treat these as starting points and let your child help shape the activity.
What if my child doesn’t enjoy competitive sports?
Try a shared goal, such as completing ten passes together or keeping a pickleball rally going. You can also skip the score entirely and explore, build a course or invent a game. Outdoor play can take plenty of different forms.
How can I make outdoor play easier to start?
Keep a few favorite activities together, choose a familiar place to play, and offer a specific invitation. Having the gear ready means you can spend that free time using it.
Grab the bag. Go play.
