MNN - Mother Nature Network

How much time do your children spend outdoors each day? If you're lucky, they go outside for about 20 minutes or so during recess at school. For many kids, this may be all the outdoor time they get. And that's just not enough.  

 

A recent survey conducted by Kelton Research found that on average, most parents think 13 hours is the ideal amount of outdoor play per week. However, according to the survey, parents admit their kids spend about 14 hours in front of a screen, while they spend on average of nine hours engaged in outdoor play each week.

 

Studies show that kids are healthier, happier and more creative when they spend more time outdoors. But part of the problem is helping them find something to do once they're out there. So I'm really loving this new contest that encourages kids ages 6-12 to use their imaginations and reconnect with outdoor playtime by coming up with their own backyard games for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship, a Marin bicycle and a Bell helmet and even a trip to San Francisco.

 

Here are the details: 

 

Backyard game ideas can be submitted through June 17, 2012 at www.CLIFKidBackyardGame.com. Six finalists will be flown with a parent to San Francisco to compete in the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs in July. Each finalist will receive a Marin Bikes bicycle and a Bell helmet, the five runners-up will each win a $1,000 scholarship and the grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Not bad for playing games!

Contest entries must involve at least two kids playing together and can utilize common household items such as balls, hula hoops, beanbags and, most importantly, kids’ imagination for hours of fun.