I have a ten year old who doesn't want to play at the park, ride a bike or even?

Question

go swimming in his pool what am I to do with him all summer? any suggestions?

I always play with my kids, basketball,football,anything they want to play I play along with them but he just doesn't want to do anything that involves going outside and I don't want to punish him to make him play outside, what to do?

Answer 1

Ask them what they want to do outside for the summer. There has to be a reason why they do not want to go outside. Could it be a problem with another child or group of children?

Answer 2

What does he do all day? Video Games, Net? Reading? Surely he has to be doing something and not just sitting there all day. Is he in shape or could he use a little exercise maybe he's depressed, anything traumatic happen lately? I have an 11 year old and sometimes he just wants to not do anything, but when we do suggest going out to ride bikes or play at the park or swim he is fired up and happy. Talk and eat ice cream together, maybe he will finally come around.

Answer 3

Go take a bike ride as a family. Invite a friend of his over, tell him to bring his swimming trunks and get some really big squirt guns. How big is your pool? Set up a volleyball net in it and get a game going. Get a Frisbee. Go fishing (boys love that! - YUK - LOL) Go to the park and shoot some hoops or play catch (baseball). If you have plenty of room, hit some balls too! Or if it's too hot to be outside, think of a "cool" project they can do, like build a bird house, help you make a nutritious snack, or even bake some cookies together. My son likes to take his BB gun and go shoot at his target and see how many holes he can get in one small area. He shoots at some birds (black birds and starlings allowed only--NO robins) too, but to my knowledge has never hit any yet. My kids on occasion will pick strawberries, beans, etc. for me until they figure out it resembles WORK. :) I live in the country so all kinds of things to do. Whether or not they want to is another story. LOL I hope some of these ideas help because I hate to see kids just laying around eating junk food! Good luck and have a great summer!

Answer 4

Has he always been like this or is it recently?
It is a bit of a concern when any child is apprehensive about going outside. what is he afraid of? Have you asked him?

It may just need a little bit of encouragement on your side to bring him out of his shell. Invest in a bike for yourself and go riding together. Sod what you look like, put on a swimming costume and get in the water with him. Grab a picnic and take him to the park!
If all the above fails, there is plenty to do with a young boy at home. Even if it is just in the back garden he should get some fresh air.
My eldest is 9 and he loves doing papercraft. There are lots of sites on the net where he can download all manner of bits and bobs.
Get the board games out. Sit in the garden and have a game of twister or monopoly.
Ask him what he wants to do! he may just be generally happier at home where he feels safe.

I would definately look into his behaviour though. Don't scare him but just ask him in a matter of fact way if anything is troubling him and then put his mind at ease.

Good luck to you both.

Answer 5

Maybe he is watching too much television or playing too many video games, limit the amount of time on each of these things and he will get bored enough to find some activites to participate in. Does he like sports? If so, enroll him in area activies like Little League or a soccer team. Maybe a karate class (or tae-kwan-do) would spark his interest. Also there are many options of day camps as well as week-long camps, ask your local YMCA or your local Park and Recreation office, they may have camps available. if all else fails, maybe there is some other reason that he doesn't want to go outside and be active, other children bullying him maybe. Sit down and talk with him and see what is bothering him, he may be suffering from childhood depression. Good luck with this, PS, get that boy ACTIVE!!

Answer 6

My ten-year-old is the same way! He would rather stay inside and watch TV, read a book or play a game. My younger kids ride their bikes and play outside all the time, and I always encourage him to go with them but he usually says "nah, I'll just stay in here." I think part of it is that he shares a room with his younger brother and very rarely gets time to himself, so he actually enjoys being alone once in a while. My opinion: as long as he gets *some* outside time, let him play indoors if that's what he prefers. I think as long as he's active it doesn't matter if he's in or out. Besides, we live in Texas. It's 105 degrees most of the summer, so I limit their outdoor time anyway.

Answer 7

From my experience, I'd suggest that he is an artist. He derives pleasure from less physical things. This will work in his favor in adulthood.

There is nothing wrong with not being athletic. Try paints and drawing, try the library, try craft projects. Watch TV shows he likes and then discuss the show. It's an opportunity to impress him with your sense of right and wrong, and it will make him feel like you are involved in his interests. Computers also offer a bunch of opportunities for sedentary activities.

Exercise is important, so try to help him discover why he might like to feel more physically fit. He'll feel better and more capable in what he does. If he understands the benefits of playing in the park, it could inspire him to overcome his reservations.

He may also be suffering from the insecurities involved with interacting with a group. This is terrifying for children. The best way to overcome this, provided he has a friend, is to have the friend get him involved. This way he doesn't feel it is him against the group and the moral support of his friend will help him overcome his insecurities.

Answer 8

What is he doing instead? I always make my kids play outside before they get tv/computer/game time. We all need the excersize!

What about reading or an arts & craft project? Scrap booking or paint by numbers? Keeping current on local news and events? Helping mom to clean and do laundry(He's old enough!)?

You could also check with the library and see if they have anything going on for the summer.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

This depends on what he IS doing. If he is playing on the computer or playing video games, you should limit the game time that he has for the day. If it is just a matter of getting him to do something, set up different activities that interest him. If he is into science, let him catch bugs and then learn about them. Use subtle ways that will eventually draw him out of his shell and lead to him playing outdoors. Make play-dates with friends of his for him, or your friends children, preferably ones who like to play outdoors. Or you could be like my parents and send him into the backyard and tell him not to come back in unless he has to use the bathroom or get something to eat or drink.

Answer 10

Well are you just pushing him out the door alone? Or are you offering to go play with him, or ride with him or go to the pool with him?

What is it he does want to do?

I would definately take away the TV and video games and all that...he does need to get up and move around....but..don't expect him to go do it all alone just so you can get rid of him. If you don't have the time to entertain him outdoors...hire someone to do it...or send him to camp.