“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the stars and the mountains above. Let them look at the waters and the trees and flowers on Earth. Then they will begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.” – David Polis
If we picture family life some thirty to forty years ago, it would be easy to picture children playing outside: running on the grass, climbing trees, and picking flowers.
Children nowadays seem to be disconnected from the natural world. Distractions indoors abound, from smartphones to kid-oriented TV shows, and children are more and more attracted to just stay indoors.
Playing outdoors, no matter how small a patch of green you have, is beneficial to children in so many levels. Their senses are stimulated by the wonders of nature – the soft grass, the chirping birds, and the cool wind. They learn by observing nature too, an experience that teaches something that no textbook can ever impart.
Making sure to give our children time outdoors is teaching them about the natural world. The challenge, however, is how do we exactly get children outdoors when the living room or recreation room is so attractive? Here are some ideas.
1. Turn off gadgets
The first step in getting kids to play outdoors is to turn off the electronics and send them out of doors. Make it clear that you want them to entertain themselves in the garden and they are free to do as they please outside. Safety guidelines are needed, though!
2. Give them a tent
A tent, may it be just a play tent or a real one for camping, can provide lots of fun for little ones. Their imagination will run wild with the possibilities that a simple tent has to offer. Be prepared to have your kids out of your sight for a while!
3. Go on a nature treasure hunt
If your kids are having a hard time thinking of something to do outdoors, help them by guiding them into a nature treasure hunt. Give them a list of things to hunt for – an orange leaf, a feather, a smooth rock – and sit back and relax as they go hunting.
4. Give them a magnifying glass
Inspire your kids to be nature detectives and hand them magnifying glasses to inspect natural objects closely. Ask them to look at the veins of the leaves, the bark of the trees, and the petals of the flowers.
5. Get dirty
Nothing is as satisfying as being allowed to get dirty outdoors. Let them splash in puddles, make mud of their own, and walk on the grass barefoot. These memories make a fun childhood that will be looked back on with fondness.
6. Watch the moon and stars
Prepare hot cups of chocolate, grab a blanket, and stargaze as a family. Talk about the moon, the stars, the constellations, and the stories behind each one.
7. Make a nature table
A nature table is a space for all of your kids’ finds out in nature. Send off your kids to collect interesting natural objects and then ask them to decorate the table with their finds.
8. Plant some flowers
Planting is something that all kids like doing. From seeds to sprouts to flower buds, they will see nature at work as they water and care for their plants everyday.
9. Make a leaf collection
Ask your kids to collect different leaves and make paper rubbings. You can compile the pages into a notebook that they can look at again and again. They just might become interested to learn more about the plants that way.
10. Let them jump into leaves
Jumping into leaves is exciting for little ones. Make them stomp and lie down on it too!
Spending time outdoors is beneficial to kids. They are calmed down from the noises and distractions of their gadgets. They are refreshed by outdoor adventures and become more alert to their surroundings.
It might be difficult to get them out the door for the first time, but given time and lots of encouragement, they will soon find their way out there.