Where did all the kids go?

Boomer blogger and outdoor activity advocate, Alan Sivell, remembers the good ol’ days of summer that would take kids out of the house and give them the time and space for all kinds of fun, games, and adventures. But now … there are no kids to be found.

The 4th of July is like the mid-summer New Year’s Eve. Except that it’s a celebration for the whole family, not just the over 21 crowd. And it’s outdoors.

And that’s what summer is about: getting outdoors.

Alan recalls the days of summer when all the kids in the neighborhood would go to the nearest ball field and play marathon games of pick-up baseball. Are those days gone for good?

The problem was before you were able to drive, there wasn’t much to do. And so, within a short period of time, there would come the cry that every parent has heard: “There’s nothing to do.”

This was quickly followed by the parental rejoinder that every kid has heard: “Find something to do or I’ll find something for you.” It always implied some form of household manual labor. Boredom easily beat that.

So we would hop on our bikes and pedal a couple of blocks up to the school we had joyously fled not too many days before. And lo and behold, there would be several other kids who had had the same conversation with their parents.

Some of the best childhood memories took place outdoors, playing with friends or siblings. Sometimes arguing and wrestling with them, too (which was also good social and physical exercise).

These days, it seems not as many kids run for the door anymore. In fact, kids are spending about 35 percent less time outdoors than their parents. Go back a generation and the difference is even starker.

Although there are studies that show the numbers, you don’t need studies to realize what’s been happening. Just drive by any schoolyard. They are most often empty. 50 years ago, they’d be teeming with kids who weren’t away at camp or on a vacation with their family.

The number one reason for this, according to researchers, is parents.

Parents’ perceived safety concerns are the primary barrier to children’s active free play. For understandable reasons, they want to keep their children close. Although, these safety concerns do moderate as the kids grow older.

Added to the safety concerns is the lack of free time for free play. American kids ages 3-12 are signed up for an average of 5 structured activities a week. And 80-90 per cent are signed up for at least one.

That doesn’t leave as much time for marathon pick-up baseball games, games of tag, Red Rover, hopscotch, jump rope, Capture the Flag, Freeze tag, marbles, jacks and many others.

That early habit of physical activity can lead to a lifelong habit. And – sorry, but I must state the obvious since I’ve been reading the studies – that lifelong habit can help prevent chronic diseases, improve cognitive functioning, academic achievement, lower depression and reduce the risk of premature death.

When I was growing up, I was out of the house every day at 9 and wouldn’t be home until a little after 4. Our town employed college students to initiate games and crafts and monitor the play and safety of the children who showed up at the schoolyard.

On those really hot days of summer, we didn’t always leave the house. But our mother insisted. Now I’m glad she did. I still have memories of those marathon baseball games (121-116 was a not uncommon score) and a couple of woven potholders.

To this day, I can’t pass a schoolyard in summer without wanting to run through the dewy 9 a.m. grass, relishing the wide-open space of the field, and exalt at the joy and freedom of movement.

And the thrill of not being trapped indoors.

The 4th of July is like the mid-summer New Year’s Eve. Except that it’s a celebration for the whole family, not just the over 21 crowd. And it’s outdoors.

And that’s what summer is about: getting outdoors.

Alan recalls the days of summer when all the kids in the neighborhood would go to the nearest ball field and play marathon games of pick-up baseball. Are those days gone for good?

When the last bell rings on the last day of school, kids run for the door and freedom. Freedom to do whatever they want outside the confines of the school building.

The problem was before you were able to drive, there wasn’t much to do. And so, within a short period of time, there would come the cry that every parent has heard: “There’s nothing to do.”

This was quickly followed by the parental rejoinder that every kid has heard: “Find something to do or I’ll find something for you.” It always implied some form of household manual labor. Boredom easily beat that.

So we would hop on our bikes and pedal a couple of blocks up to the school we had joyously fled not too many days before. And lo and behold, there would be several other kids who had had the same conversation with their parents.

Some of the best childhood memories took place outdoors, playing with friends or siblings. Sometimes arguing and wrestling with them, too (which was also good social and physical exercise).

These days, it seems not as many kids run for the door anymore. In fact, kids are spending about 35 percent less time outdoors than their parents. Go back a generation and the difference is even starker.

Although there are studies that show the numbers, you don’t need studies to realize what’s been happening. Just drive by any schoolyard. They are most often empty. 50 years ago, they’d be teeming with kids who weren’t away at camp or on a vacation with their family.

The number one reason for this, according to researchers, is parents.

Parents’ perceived safety concerns are the primary barrier to children’s active free play. For understandable reasons, they want to keep their children close. Although, these safety concerns do moderate as the kids grow older.

Added to the safety concerns is the lack of free time for free play. American kids ages 3-12 are signed up for an average of 5 structured activities a week. And 80-90 per cent are signed up for at least one.

That doesn’t leave as much time for marathon pick-up baseball games, games of tag, Red Rover, hopscotch, jump rope, Capture the Flag, Freeze tag, marbles, jacks and many others.

That early habit of physical activity can lead to a lifelong habit. And – sorry, but I must state the obvious since I’ve been reading the studies – that lifelong habit can help prevent chronic diseases, improve cognitive functioning, academic achievement, lower depression and reduce the risk of premature death.

When I was growing up, I was out of the house every day at 9 and wouldn’t be home until a little after 4. Our town employed college students to initiate games and crafts and monitor the play and safety of the children who showed up at the schoolyard.

On those really hot days of summer, we didn’t always leave the house. But our mother insisted. Now I’m glad she did. I still have memories of those marathon baseball games (121-116 was a not uncommon score) and a couple of woven potholders.

To this day, I can’t pass a schoolyard in summer without wanting to run through the dewy 9 a.m. grass, relishing the wide-open space of the field, and exalt at the joy and freedom of movement.

And the thrill of not being trapped indoors.