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Home › Articles › Parenting Preschoolers › Out and About!

Out and About!

Educational, Fun and Fit Outings with Dad

By Teri Brown

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Field trips are one of the rights of passage for children. For years they were called "airing the baby" when proud English nannies wheeled tiny tots around in dignified prams. This tradition made a comeback with Dr. Spock, who felt that babies and small children should be taken outdoors every day, if possible. Most parents now feel that outings are essential elements of child rearing, and when Dad is in charge of the trip, it lends the entire proceedings a festive air.

Dan Berger, stay-at-home dad from Libertyville, Ill., believes that field trips are right up a child's alley. "It's a big world out there and children are hard wired to explore as much of that world as they are able," says Berger. "I think that field trips help a child to develop a sense of scope and adventure."

Where you go on an outing depends on what you hope to get out of the trip. You wouldn't take your children to a museum if you wanted them to get exercise, nor would you take them to the gym if you wanted an educational field trip. Plan your goals ahead of time and your outing will be that much more successful.

Exercise Excursions
There are a lot more places geared toward helping your child get some exercise than there used to be. Gyms promote physical fitness even in the very young. Make sure you check the age limits before attending, as some are geared for smaller children while others want your children to be over 13 for insurance purposes. If your children span a wide age range, look for family athletic clubs or YMCAs that cater to all ages.

Gyms can also be a great place to head during the winter months. "Chicago winters can make going outdoors iffy between the months of December and March," says Berger. "The local park district is a real life saver during this time. There are several area park district facilities that offer 'open gym' programs. The price is right, the gyms are well stocked with equipment and the kids really seem to enjoy it."


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