We get it! It can be hard to figure out how to help your kids foster a love for the great outdoors. We have put together a list of 18 ways to get your family outside more.
1. Lead by Example: Be a role model and demonstrate your own enjoyment of outdoor activities. When kids see you spending time outdoors, they are more likely to follow suit.
2. More Adventures: Plan regular family outings to parks, nature reserves, or nearby hiking trails. Make these trips exciting and fun by incorporating activities like scavenger hunts, picnics, or nature photography.
3. Gardening: Involve children in gardening activities, such as planting seeds, watering plants, and harvesting vegetables or fruits. It helps them develop an appreciation for nature, responsibility, and patience.
4. Outdoor Games: Organize outdoor games and activities like tag, hide-and-seek, treasure hunts, or relay races. These games get children moving, fostering their physical fitness and enjoyment of the outdoors.
5. Camping: Plan family camping trips or backyard campouts. Sleeping under the stars, cooking meals over a campfire, and engaging in campfire stories or stargazing are memorable experiences that ignite a love for the outdoors.
6. Nature Crafts: Encourage children to create artwork using natural materials like leaves, flowers, rocks, or sticks. It helps them connect with nature and express their creativity.
7. Sports + Recreation: Enroll kids in outdoor sports or recreational activities such as soccer, swimming, biking, or hiking clubs. These activities provide structured opportunities for outdoor play and skill development.
8. Nature Photography: Introduce children to the wonders of photography by giving them a simple camera or a smartphone. Encourage them to capture the beauty of nature and document their outdoor adventures.
9. Unstructured Play: Allow children unstructured playtime in natural settings, such as open fields or wooded areas. They can engage in imaginative play, build forts, climb trees, or create their own outdoor games.
10. Wildlife Education: Teach each kids about local wildlife by setting up bird feeders or observing animals in their natural habitats. Discuss their behaviours and characteristics, fostering a curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
11. Outdoor Learning: Look for educational programs, nature centres, or environmental organizations that offer outdoor learning opportunities for children. These programs combine education with hands-on outdoor experiences.
12. Parks + Playgrounds: Take advantage of local parks and playgrounds. Visit nearby parks, playgrounds, or sports fields regularly. Let children socialize with other kids and have plenty of free time to play.
13. Like-minded Families: Seek out families in your area that have the same goals. Meet up for hikes or nature walks around your city. It is easier to do something new with friends who are like-minded and can answer questions that you may have.
14. Outdoor Reading Space: Encourage outdoor reading. Set up a cozy outdoor reading nook with a comfortable chair or blanket. Encourage kids to take their favourite books outside and enjoy reading in the fresh air.
15. Neighbourhood Events: Plan neighbourhood or community events that promote outdoor activities like a bike parade, outdoor movie night, or sports tournament. This fosters community and encourages children to participate in outdoor group activities.
16. Seasonal Activities: Emphasize the unique activities each season offers. In the summer, have water play days with sprinklers or a kiddie pool. In the fall, go apple picking or visit a pumpkin patch. In the winter, build snowmen or have a family snowball fight. In the spring, plant a garden or go on nature walks to observe blooming flowers.
17. Meal Time Outdoors: Involve kids in preparing outdoor meals or picnics. They can help with packing food, setting up a picnic blanket, or even assisting in cooking easy recipes like grilling burgers or making s'mores.
18. Celebrate Outside: Instead of indoor celebrations, consider organizing birthday parties or special events outdoors. This encourages kids to associate happy occasions with spending time outside.