Many studies have shown that even a short walk in nature can significantly reduce the symptoms
of stress and improve well-being.
Spending time outdoors in the fresh air is especially important for kids as it helps to improve their
concentration, awareness and general health.
If you are searching for fun outdoor activities to enjoy as a family, the following activities
will help you keep your kids entertained while educating them about nature.
Examine Plants And Bugs Using A Magnifying Glass
You don’t need to travel far to discover a wide variety of different plants and insects as your
back garden or local park is most likely teeming with life.
Take along a magnifying glass to examine different things you find such as flowers, leaves,
snails and tree bark.
Young children will be fascinated by all the hidden details that are revealed under the glass.
Purchase some field guides to help you and family identify different types of plants and bugs
and learn about their different characteristics.
Paint Rocks
Rock painting is an incredibly fun, albeit slightly messy, activity that is ideal for children of all ages.
Collect some smooth, flat stones of various shapes and sizes from your local park or wildlife area.
Using acrylic paints, decorate the stones with flowers, animals, trees or let your kids’ imaginations
run wild.
Plan A Scavenger Hunt
A nature scavenger hunt is a great way to get children exploring their local habitat.
Make a list of different things to search for such as a pinecone, leaf, twig, squirrel, worm
and animal tracks.
You can download picture lists for small children to help them improve their reading skills
at the same time.
Take your family to local woodland or even a National Park to search for the items.
If you will be off-roading, then be sure to take an appropriate vehicle such as a Ram 1500
to avoid getting stuck in the mud.
This model is popular throughout the Americas so getting Chrysler parts would never be
a problem in most places.
Make an Outdoor Wooden Xylophone
An outdoor wooden xylophone is a great DIY project that will get plenty of use from
aspiring musicians.
Start by taking two lengths of 2×4, and cut them into pieces starting with a 10 inch piece
and gradually decreasing the length by 2 inches.
Drill holes through all of the pieces at the top and bottom, and thread two pieces of rope
through the holes.
Hang the xylophone in your back garden, and let your children compose their own music.
Participate in Citizen Science
Citizen science projects require people to gather data that will be used by scientists for
various studies all over the world.
Go online to find some projects your family can take part in such as bird watching,
butterfly counting or even monitoring outer space using a telescope.
Instilling a love of nature from an early age will help your children grow up to become
healthier and more well-adjusted adults.
Some of the most treasured childhood memories are made outdoors at beaches, parks
and forests, so give your children an experience that they will remember forever.
About the Author
Mary Davis is Mom to twin toddlers and a 7 year old. Lucky enough to live on a modern-day homestead the family spend a lot of time outdoors whether feeding the chickens, making mud pies or visiting the nearby woods. Mary writes about family life for a range of Mommy blogs.
Photo source: Wooden xylophone
What are your favorite ways to explore nature with your family?
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