5 Reasons to Let Your Child Play in the Dirt

Here are five reasons why messy play is important for kids. Bonus: We are also giving you a few tips on how you can let your worries go when it comes to dirt.

Gives Them an Immunity Boost

Dirt contains microbes, germs (good and bad) and lots of living organisms and that’s what probably freaks parents out the most about their children sitting in dirt, playing in dirt, and sometimes even eating it too. The reality is that the health benefits of dirt are numerous. When your child is exposed to these microbes and organisms, their immune systems are building up responses to them, making it stronger and more able to fight infection.

Develops Their Cognitive Brain

Children playing in the dirt equals children developing their brains. When they play outside, they learn to use their imagination because they are not being told what to see (as is the case when looking at screens or TVs). As they create delicious dinners or creative cakes from those mud pies or turn leaves and sticks into flying helicopters, their brains are being stimulated and developed as nature intended. A study revealed that students who spent more time outside as children had better critical thinking skills.

Gives Them Lots of Vitamin D

Sunlight is the best form of Vitamin D for us humans. When kids play in the dirt or outside, they are being exposed to sunlight which is being turned into Vitamin D in their bodies. Vitamin D is essential in their little bodies for bone development and can help enhance their mood too. Always make sure to put a hat on them and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Increases Their Happiness Factor

Have you ever seen an unhappy child playing outside? Playing outside, in nature, boosts their mood by increasing their natural happy hormone, serotonin. Whether it’s playing imaginary games alone or playing running races with friends, being outside is a happy place to be.

It is FUN!

Children learn the most through play, so the biggest reason as to why is dirt important, must be the fun factor, right? When you have a happy child having fun outside, you have a child that is also learning, developing, and being exposed to all the good things that nature has to offer. After all, we all did it!

How to Cope With Dirt as a Parent

Knowing that dirt is good and being able to physically let your child get dirty, are two different things. Follow these easy tips on how to cope with children playing outside, it might ease your anxiety about dirt in general:

• Set a time limit for outdoor play (usually 1 – 2 hours per day and more for older kids) to give you the peace of mind of knowing that it is for a certain time only.

• Make it a ritual that they wash their hands every time they have finished playing outside and you can even include hand sanitising as part of this ritual too.

• If you are worried about stains, set aside some outdoor play clothing options that they can choose from. These will be clothes that you are ok with getting dirty, so you don’t worry about their brand-new outfits getting soiled.

Invest in an excellent quality washing detergent, like OMO, to put your mind at ease knowing that no matter what dirt or stains come your way, you will be able to get rid of them.

Read more to understand why OMO believes that Dirt is Good. They believe that every stain represents an experience and encourage moms, dads, and caregivers to let children get messy in order to become happier and healthier kids. Want to know more stain removal tips? Read our Top Stain Removers For Your Laundry blog now.