Spending time outdoors interacting with nature is good for you. There is evidence that it improves physical, mental, and emotional health. It even promotes cognitive development and prevents near-sightedness in kids. It’s also a great way to get in some quality family time.
The best part is you don’t have to go camping or plan an elaborate, expensive vacation to do it. You can start right in your own backyard.
Plant a Family Garden
A garden is the perfect playground, classroom, and laboratory for kids of all ages. Dedicate a section of the backyard garden for the kids, and let them choose what they want to grow. A good rule of thumb for keeping it interesting and making it easy is to focus on plants that are fast-growing and have large seeds. Sunflowers, cucumbers, melons, radishes, squashes, corn, pumpkins, and pole beans are all good candidates.
Have a Picnic
Lunch or a simple dinner is so much more special and fun outside. To make it a real outing, find a park that has a playground, short hiking trails, or open space for playing tag and other games. In a pinch, you can even have a picnic in your backyard – what better way to wrap up a session of gardening.
Plan a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of natural objects that you might find in your yard, neighborhood, or other outdoor locale. Include things like specific plants and flowers, certain colored leaves, insects, spider webs, birds, etc. Depending on the size of your family and the age range, aim for anywhere from 5 to 20 items. Make a game of it and see how many items you can cross off your list.
Get Creative with Painted Rocks
Go rock hunting as a family and collect as many as you can carry. Then, set up a no-fuss ‘art studio’ in your yard complete with acrylic paint and paint brushes. Decorate the rocks however you want, and once the paint has dried, apply a spray-on sealant to preserve the works of art. The painted rocks can make a nice and colorful addition to the garden.
Organic Lawn Care Sets a Good Example
If you use an organic lawn care service, you’re already on the way to cultivating an appreciation of nature in your kids. You can explain to them that you’ve chosen a natural alternative because it’s safer for them and for the environment.