I am a firm believer in old school play, where kids go outside with their imagination and outdoor toys in tow to create force fields with their umbrellas, a beach in the sandbox and their own version of the wayback machine under the trampoline.

It’s the kind of play where kids get lost in their imaginative games for hours on end. The type of play that happens without adults leading the show. It’s the kind of play where if you’re comfortable with your neighborhood you let your child out to explore (within the pre-set boundaries) and the kind of play where they get out, get active and put down the iPad.

Old school play means taking advantage of the rain instead of heading inside to wait it out. Around here, we pass the kids an umbrella and a set of boots to head outside for some rainy day fun. Some of the most fun spring and summer days last year were spent mucking about in a summer storm with their bathing suit and rain boots on, running down the street catching worms in yogurt containers and screaming at the top of their lungs.

Those days spent outside are some of my most vivid memories from childhood, and it’s important to me that the kids have the same memories from their childhood.

Even When Sneezing Gets in the Way

Old school playing means heading outside to play for hours – but what about when sneezing gets in the way? I tell the kids to go outside, play until someone has to come inside to go to the bathroom, but I often hear the door open and shut many times during the spring.

Itchy skin and runny noses – when you look at Olivia that’s the first thing you’re going to notice when she’s spent the entire day outside basking in this weather she’s been waiting months for. Those runny noses are wiped on sleeves and she goes about her play – but many other kids are missing out on more than just getting outside.

When it comes to those days spent outside, making memories is essential, so we need to find ways to help her overcome the sneezing, itchy skin and runny noses that come with spring and summer. It’s good to know that we’ve got something that can take care of all of her allergy symptoms, to get her back outside, playing and creating those memories that we look back on so fondly.

“According to a recent survey by the makers of REACTINE®, more than two-thirds of children who suffer from allergies have missed out on several activities, including playing outside, spending time with friends, sports activities and, even school.”

This post was generously sponsored by REACTINE® FAST MELT^TM Junior Tablets, but the opinions and images are my own. For more information, visit reactine.ca.