So sad to be posting this...

[mommy212]

But my 18 month old does not enjoy outside play. Our home is a second story apartment in a complex without a playground or even an open area to play in. We visit the park as often as possible, usually twice a week or more. But generally we are inside a LOT. Way more than I would like or can be good for him. We really limit our tv and usually haver a lot of creative play around the house. We do what we can, but it is sadly limiting his outside play...

But now, we are visiting my grandparents in Arkansas. They have a nice house surrounded by grassy areas, trees, a meadow with flowers, a trampoline, etc.... so much to explore! I envisioned him wandering around, looking at plants and bugs and everything else for hours. I was so excited to take him outside all the time, sure that he would be overjoyed! But now, we are here, and he has no interest at all :( We walked around the yard once, and he looked, and then cried on and off for the next few hours we were outside (the adults were gathering wood to burn, we just had a bad storm that knocked down some big branches and a cedar tree). We showed him sticks and rocks and flowers and he does not care one bit! I was hoping after he got really bored watching us he would start playing around, but he just sat there. What can i do to help him enjoy nature? I want him to be able to play on his own out there, get some nice, unstructured play in the outdoors. Please help!

[Lisa1970]

Honestly, I think you should let it go. It is normal for us to want our children to want what we wanted or see as important. But I remember living in an apartment. My children never wanted to go outside really because it was not available to them. When we moved to our first house, they did not care to hang out outside for long at first. They did get used to it. But thing is, what if he discovers he loves the outdoors while there? Then you still go back to the apartment. It is best for him to love and enjoy what he has in his life right now. If you go back to the apartment and he really misses the outdoors, he would likely be sad and miserable all the time. I would not want that. So he has a different life at this point in time from what you would like to see or you enjoyed yourself as a child. This is really ok. It is not inferior, it is different. I do not think it will affect him in the long run at all. I have had 3 children since moving out of the apartment and am now pregnant again. I do not see any more desire to be outside in my younger children than my olders, at this point. My toddler loves to play outside and cries when he has to come in and stands by the door begging to go out when he is inside. I think it would break my heart if we were still living in an apartment and he felt that way. You son is simply well adjusted to his own living environment...which is good. Not bad, not something to worry about.

I hope that helps!

[AislinCarys]

Might it just be that he isn't used to playing outside? That he doesn't know what and how to play, and is out of his comfort zone? He might need you to really initiate every game, everything, and make it exciting. But it still might take a while (just like it does for many kids when they start going to a new play group or music group or something).

When you are at home, would it be possible for you to do more outings? While we do have a small garden, and bush within walking distance, we mostly catch the bus (I don't drive) to good play grounds, the botanic garden, parks, beaches, the harbour... Find great parks, forest areas, beaches that you could expose him to, and just take it easy at first, go there to have a picnic, collect some leaves, pick some flowers, and just let him join you.

DD was terrified, of the beach when we moved near one when she was 16 months old. Tool her 'till the end of the summer (2 months), before she felt a bit more confident there. We just carried her around on the beach and in the water, and talked about all we saw. One day a friend of ours came to visit with her 3 yo, and he wanted to build sand castles. And suddenly there was my DD, playing in the sand, running into the water, having fun!

[Heavenly]

He is 18 months old, honestly I think you are borrowing trouble.  I know it's scary when you only have little children because you don't know what is normal or not.  So let me reassure you - totally normal.  My older daughter went through a phase from about 15 months to 2.5 years where she refused to play outside.  She was terrified of bugs and if anything went near her she would freak out so she just started refusing to play outside.  My younger daughter really didn't care about outside play until she was over 2.  Every child is different.  He is used to playing inside so that is what is normal for him.  Just take him outside when you can and relax. 

[reezley]

The pps make good points.  But as an idea if you want to keep encouraging him to play outside, maybe try bringing out some toys or books from inside?  A truck, a book, favorite toy.  Make sure he has sunglasses/hat or whatever to keep him comfortable? 

[lilmom]

Well, we are in the opposite postion, just moved from a house to an apt. and my poor DS is miserable because he desperately wants to be outside all the time and he can't. There is no playground or outdoor area and I can only take him to the park so many times per week. It is quite awful and heartbreaking and we feel like failures right now for not being able to provide a yard for him at the moment.

Honestly, until you get a house with a yard this might be the best thing.

Also, he is still pretty little! 18 months is just not that big. I promise as he gets older he will start to enjoy the outdoors more. You also might try just taking him on as many little trips to the outdoors as you can if you really want him to get interested in it. I remember when my DS was scared of the grass under his feet! Now if you want to bring him in from outside it can get ugly because he never wants to come inside! So, be patient with him. He will get there!

[ElliesMomma]

bubbles you can blow to him outside.

chalk he can use to write on the sidewalk or driveway if paved.

a baby swing you can hang from a tree branch.

a little kids slide you can buy at a garage sale down there for a few bucks and pop in the yard.

a dog he can chase.

a ball he can kick or throw back and forth with you.

a simple small sandbox.

some other kids to play with outside.

a small baby pool.

it is a lot to ask of an 18 month old to play by themselves or entertain themselves in any way outside. but i think the more time you ALL spend outside, the more he will get used to it. and i do believe that you have to actively engage him in free play outside.

i have a 20 month old, and his big sister, who just turned 5. we are outside a lot, and the kids can't get enough of outside time, i could literally spend 10 hours a day outside with them and they'd still want more. but the 5 year old is GREAT entertainment and stimulation for the toddler. no way could i replicate her energy level. i would suggest that -- if there are no young children in your family that you are visiting -- that you try hard to entice some neighbor kids over.

popsicles are great for this.

[zebra15]

Like the others have said, dont borrow trouble.  You are on vacation, soon you will be back in the 2nd floor apt and your little one will be in the apt with you.  It seems like the outdoor thing is a new environment as well as all the new folks, possibly a new climate etc. Are there other kids around on vacation for him to play with?  18 mos is young to be playing per se.

While you are visiting relatives I would just explore the area with DS, if you have a stroller, take long walks etc.  Maybe even find a local park and let him play that way.