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Clorox Sponsors Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play: Are Your Kids Ready to Play Outside?

Why should your kids participate in the Nickeloden Worldwide Day of Play, sponsored in part by Clorox?

September 24, 2011, is designated Nickelodeon's 8th Annual Worldwide Day of Play—and, for many busy moms, outdoor play is a messy adventure and, unfortunately, not one often seen as timely or convenient. But, having said that, busy moms and dads also know that unstructured, outdoor playtime is essential to a healthy child’s mental and physical development. Play encourages physical activitity, problem solving, teamwork, imagination and indepence. When kids are left outside mom (or dad’s) watchful eye—they have to take responsibility for actions and use many of the essential interpersonal skills that they’ve learned. Why do I think the Worldwide Day of Play is so important?


Technology is not all that it’s cracked up to be. My three girls range in age from nearly 17 to 5 years old—and all of them would stay connected to a computer, smartphone, iPod or gaming system for hours on end. While my little girls are fairly limited to educational or parent approved games and sites—they are missing a great deal of real world, human interraction when attached to an e-device. A day of play should involve REAL kids—not virtual e-friends—and create at least two messes, one argument, and a few shared smiles.

Getting dirty has value. While getting dirty has never been a play deterrent for my youngest daughter—my two older girls are more timid. We learn so much from our environment—and while I love cute Abercrombie tanks with cutesy skirts and little (expensively) matched Gymboree outfits---I want my children to explore and experience their environments without fear of “GASP--Mom’s going to lose it when she sees this grass stain”.

Play equals exercise. When kids play outside, what happens? They are active. They jump rope, they play tag or hide and seek, or they find games that offer mental stimulation such as scavenger hunts or pretend games. Even in more docile pretend games, children tend to be moving about, simulating activities.

Play could, and should, involve the whole family. We frequently take the girls and Mister Max the dog on hikes and outdoor trips. We also spend lots of time on soccer fields and bike paths. When the entire family disconnects from distractions, the whole family benefits. I’m a freelance writer where all of my work is online and my husband could play a help desk role for his company 24/7…my teen daughter could text every minute of the day and the two younger ones are nearing that point as well already. When we break away—we reconnect. We learn about each other and our world and we enhance our communication and interpersonal skills.

Play encourages so much in a child. Children are built to play—and a good playdate teaches so many lifeskills as well. Our real-world relationships cannot be learned online (successfully). It almost seems that many parents and children alike need to re-learn real world interaction. How many times have you seen a toddler in a shopping cart with a parent glued to a smartphone. Facebook is a great diversion and even the kids love Angry Birds—but, the 30 minutes in the grocery store could be spent teaching a little one about fruits and vegetables, colors or math skills. It’s okay for children to play as parents did so long ago—and it’s probably for the best in the long run!

Play time is no longer parental free time—but, is a necessary task on the to-do list. My girls play outside, play sports, and participate in outdoor activities on our street, in our neighborhood and beyond. As many parents in suburban or inner-city areas, I also worry about my child’s safety when she goes out to play—but, I opt to set aside “safe zones”, talk with the parents of my child’s friends, and set aside a lot of my own time to supervise outdoor play.

Ready to commit to a day of play for your child? Clorox2 (which makes me so willing to let my littlest out of the house for playdates….even in her play chothes!) has commited interest in getting kids outside for this special play day by sponsoring the Nickelodeon World Wide Day of Play! Check out the Clorox2 Play 2Day Pledge hub, http://clorox2play2day.com, and pledge to play outside with your kids (or encourage your kids to do so) on the Worldwide Day of Play!

About Clorox2® Stain Fighter & Color Booster:
As I can tell you--after 5 years with Madelyn, getting dirty is much more fun when it's easy to get clean. When the outdoor fun is finished, Clorox2® Stain Fighter & Color Booster gets out the tough stains, so your kids can take part in healthy fun and get dirty over and over again.

About Clorox:
The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,100 employees and fiscal year 2011 revenues of $5.2 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works® naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol® cleaners, Poett® home care products, Fresh Step® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration products, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products. Nearly 90 percent of Clorox Company brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. The company’s products are manufactured in more than two dozen countries and sold in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $84 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal year 2011 alone, the foundation awarded $4 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $13 million. For more information about Clorox, visit http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/.

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Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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