Do the Outdoors Really Make Kids Happier?

Recently, I came across an article that talked about how Scandinavian children are the happiest children in the world. This got me interested because one of Tala’s best friends, who happens to be from Sweden, is literally one of the happiest kids that I know! She is always smiling and is always enthusiastic about everything. So, I clicked the article and read on.

I found out that one of the salient points of Scandinavian parenting is letting kids stay in the outdoors more than anywhere else. This means more and more time to do physical activities, or if not, just enjoying the blissful feeling of staying under the sun surrounded by nature. This reminded me of a mindfulness book that Tala borrowed from the library, which states that staying outdoors makes people generally happier than those who stay indoors most of the time. 

And so, one afternoon, while enjoying our after-school snacks, I told Tala about the article that I read. I told her how children become happier when they are outdoors. And specifically, I told her that the article that I read focused on children from Sweden and its nearby countries. 

At the mention of Sweden, her face lit up and she said, “No wonder my friend always loves running and playing outdoors!” 

And I added, “And no wonder she’s always happy and smiling!”

Tala just got the right motivation to play outdoors every afternoon. You see, prior to that conversation, Tala has been refusing to play outdoors, coming up with all sorts of excuses, such as… I’m tired from school

            … playing outdoors is boring 

            … I just want to rest my body

            … it’s my choice. I want to choose to draw and color today.

For weeks now, Tala has been playing outdoors almost every afternoon after school. She enjoys playing Frisbee,

hopscotch,hide and seek, sand play, and the slides with her friends.

Here they are enjoying the beauty of nature and the sunset!

And true to the article, she is less grumpy and more jolly! 

Hooray for outdoor play! And hooray for happier children! 

Interested in the article I mentioned? Read it here! 

Want to read similar articles? Simply subscribe and you will get notified about our next article!

Thank you for visiting Moms Inspiring Moms! Remember, be the reason that someone gets inspired today!