The Balsams™ Grand Resort Hotel

One visit to this New Hampshire hotel, where families can be found enjoying wholesome outdoor fun, will give hope to those who fear that simple childhood pleasures may be lost to the modern world.  Today’s children and teens are growing up surrounded by technology, and some of them are showing signs of video game addiction.  As video games like Grand Theft Auto and World of Warcraft become increasingly complex, detailed, and compelling, many kids would rather spend time on the computer than hanging out with friends, playing sports, or just enjoying the outdoors.

The good news is that getting kids into a wilderness environment helps them clear their heads and gain a whole new perspective on what’s important.  So what can parents do to get their kids outside and away from the video games?  For a few ideas, check out our latest twelve-step “How to” guide for getting your kids outdoors and active…

Step 1:  Limit access to computers and hand-held game devices and discuss with your children the importance of a well-balanced life.  If they are involved in making the rules of use, they will be more likely to follow them.

Step 2:  Model “unplugged” behavior.  Let your kids catch you reading books, having tea with friends, and spending time outdoors.

Step 3:  Provide them with good books and magazines, especially those focusing on nature or travel.  Take them to the public library for ideas, and leave interesting literature around the house.

Step 4:  Take the kids to an old-fashioned country fair or a Native American pow-wow so they can see some different approaches to living and working in harmony with the natural world.

Step 5:  Encourage artistic or creative expression.  Get youngsters involved in family projects like redecorating, planting a garden, or building snow sculptures.

Step 6:  Keep kids active by signing them up with sports leagues, or clubs such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

Step 7:  Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing are fun ways to get some fresh air and enjoy time with each other.  There are some wonderful state parks and resorts that provide miles of trails for communing with nature.

Snowshoeing at The Balsams

Step 8:  Give your children their own cameras to record those outdoor adventures.

Step 9:  Entice them with the reward of some warm cider or cocoa after a day outside in the snow.  Break out the board games and let the fun continue!

Step 10:  Make sure to have regular family meals together, where lively conversation can provide them with social skills for the real world.

Step 11:  Track the phases of the moon, and take your children outside to watch the full moon rise just after sunset on a clear night.

Step 12: Plan an unplugged vacation to a wilderness-rich destination, such as The Balsams, where the whole family can decompress from our high-tech, modern life and reconnect with each other and the great outdoors.

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