As an outdoor educator, I get hundreds of kids every week that are so addicted to their video games or cellphones that they dread being outside. However, once I bring them on hikes and teach them new things, they often find that their favorite world in a video game is actually real. They will also start making connections they learned online in the outside world. Seeing this happen, warms my heart and I often hear students tell me that they now care more about protecting the planet. Which should be everyone's goal, right?
Kids may not go outside because they need guidance. Perhaps they picked up some bad habits from their family members, *guilty*, or maybe they do not know what to do when they are outside. Often times, kids may get bored if they do not have a solid goal to follow, especially if you do not have time to guide them in their exploration. Here are some cheap and easy ways to get them outside with little commitment from you so that you can continue to get stuff done without having to resort to the TV babysitter.
1. Introduce them to Nature Journaling
If your child is interested in drawing or art, get them into Nature Journaling. Instruct them on how to make observations and record them in a journal. Nature journaling can be adapted for any skills or age. If your child hates writing, let them draw or make simple lists of things they find. If the child is more into poetry or writing songs, have them write about what they observe outdoors. They can also write about their own feelings, what they see, or create stories from what they experience. You may purchase a nature journal specifically for journaling in the field or make your own with these printables!
2. Give them a scavenger hunt or game to follow
Scavenger hunts can be really fun and done in any season. There is so much to explore, you can find something new every time you are outside. Your child could create their own scavenger hunts from the things they find outside or you can give them a scavenger hunt to follow. Have them create a map of the backyard where you can give them clues to find a secret item. Don't have time for that? Jumpstart your child’s natural curiosity with this winter scavenger hunt!
3. Give them a field guide
This is a two in one gift! Not only do they get an interesting book with pictures they can look at along with information about their favorite organisms but then they can use it to identify organisms in their backyard. Those weird plants they always wondered about are no longer a mystery to them and they can identify all those weird slimy organisms they find. In the process your child will learn reading and analytical skills. My favorite generic field guide that I carry every where is the Kaufman New England Field Guide. You can also purchase this one sheet animal tracking guide, as a cheaper alternative for identifying animals in the winter.
4. Start a garden
If you do not know anything about gardening thats okay! There are tons of plants that are low maintenance and easy to care for. Check out this blog for a list of easy to care for garden plants to get a sense of what you need to purchase. Starting from seeds is the cheapest and you will see the whole plant’s transformation. Set up the garden together then have it be your kid’s responsibility to care for it. Caring for the garden includes watering it and weeding it.
5. Take them on a hike or camping trip
Okay, so this one takes some effort on your part but its an excellent bonding experience for you and your child or family while also helping your child connect with nature even more. Even if it is just camping in your backyard, your kids and you, will get a break away from technology and will get to hear the natural world around you while you sleep.
I hope these ideas and tips help you! Of course, I always recommend exploring nature with your children. When children see their own role models exploring, they'll want to go explore too. However, a lot of these tips can be adapted to give yourself a break from parenting. If you liked this article please share and subscribe to our blog. We try to upload content once a week.
-Wild and Growing
