As readers of this blog know, I am the #playoutdoors pied piper in the social media world, and a firm believer in the benefits of play, time in nature, and unstructured time for kids and adults alike. So, when the great folks at SC Johnson’s Shout asked if I wanted to partner on their new Go Play initiative, I jumped at the chance!
Go Play is dedicated to getting children and families outside to play – it’s that simple. Whether it’s going on a nature scavenger hunt , building a fort in the backyard, playing Frisbee, or running through a sprinkler, Go Play encourages families to make the active decision to unplug and head outside for some active fun.
Research indicates that children who play outdoors regularly:
- Have stronger immune systems
- Have reduced stress levels
- Are more creative
- Sleep better
- Are fitter and leaner
- Have a greater respect for themselves, others, and the planet
Naturally, time outdoors and play offers lots of benefits for adults too – including decreased stress levels! Who doesn’t need that these days?
I applaud Shout for recognizing the importance of this issue for the health and well being of today’s children and families, and kicking off this initiative. You can follow the conversation on Twitter – we’ll be using the hash tag #GoPlay. Also, make sure to keep up with the Go Play news on Shout’s Facebook page.
To kick off this initiative, Shout is launching the Go Play Sweepstakes. One lucky winner per week (for four weeks) will win a $200 gift card for Growing Tree Toys. One grand prize winner will receive a Sunshine Castle II, which is a Best Seller from Rainbow Play Systems Inc.
Click here to enter!
Sending you lucky vibes. See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
Disclosure: The Grass Stain Guru is a proud partner of Shout and is quite happy to share the sandbox with them!
photo credit: redjar
