It can be easy to spend hours in front of the TV and allow your children to do the same. While you may love the moments when your children are distracted by a screen and you finally have a chance to check items off your todo list or take a moment alone, this should not be a regular occurrence.
Getting outside and exploring nature is extremely beneficial for your children. In our last blog, we talked about some of the major benefits that your kiddos can experience when they spend time in the great outdoors. In this blog, we wanted to give you some fun ideas for different ways you can spend time in nature with your children.
At Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center, we believe that spending quality time outside is important for a child’s learning and development. When kids are able to explore the world around them, they can benefit in a number of different ways. At our child care center, we make sure to incorporate outdoor activities into our programs. Learn more and contact us today!
Go For a Nature Walk
Whether you drive to a natural area or simply walk around a park closeby to your house, going on a simple nature walk is a great way to get outside. Your kiddos will be able to climb over rocks, crawl under tree branches, and run through the grass, allowing them to truly embrace their playful side and enjoy what nature has to offer. Going for a walk daily is a great way to spend time outside without having to make major plans to do so. Go for a walk before or after dinner as a family, it will be a fun tradition that everyone can benefit from.
Go For a Bike Ride
Find a nearby bike trail and go on a bike ride with your kiddos. Biking through nature can be fun and allows your kiddos to take in all the views, smells, and sounds that surround them. Be sure to plan for some time to stop and enjoy the surroundings, one of your children may see a good tree for climbing and want to make a pit stop.
Go For a Hike
Like a nature walk, a hike allows your children to immerse themselves in their surroundings and nature. A hike allows them to get an even better understanding of the natural world since hiking trails are generally further away from society. Make sure you don’t pick too long of a hike and don’t push your children to finish the hike if they don’t want to. Allow them to explore, enjoy the natural elements, and begin to develop a love for the outdoors.
Explore Your Backyard
You don’t have to go far to enjoy nature. Head into your backyard and start exploring! You may be surprised what you can find in your own yard. Maybe there is a bird’s nest in one of your trees or a cocoon on your fence. You can give your kiddos a generic scavenger hunt that helps get them engaged in exploring the yard. They will love running around and learning about the world around them.
Have a Picnic
Not only are picnics fun, but they allow you to get outside. Plan a picnic with your children and go to a nearby park to enjoy some food and explore the great outdoors. Help boost your child’s curiosity by asking them how old they think a tree is or what they think the park looked like when dinosaurs were around. Look at the sky and have them tell you what shapes they see in clouds. This is a great way to relax in nature and keep their little minds stimulated.
Plant a Garden
While you won’t be able to plant a garden anytime soon since winter is right around the corner, start planning a garden for next summer! Gardening is a great way to get outside with your children and teach them more about how nature works. We have a blog about the benefits of gardening for kids, as well as a blog about how to start a garden with your kids. To get your children excited about their future garden, ask them what they want to plant. This is a great way to help your child make healthier eating choices as well! They will be more willing to eat veggies when they are the ones who grew them.
Enjoy Every Season
The best part about enjoying the great outdoors is that it is not a seasonal thing. You can enjoy being outside no matter what season it is! In the spring, take a walk around and enjoy the blooming trees and wildflowers. In the summer, go swimming in a lake. In the fall, hike through a forest filled with the colors of fall. In winter, go sledding at a nearby hill. There are always ways to enjoy the great outdoors, no matter what time of year it is. By teaching your child to enjoy nature throughout the entire year, you can help them develop a better understanding and love for being outside.
There are many different ways to enjoy the great outdoors. These are a few simple ways to get your kiddos outside and help them experience the benefits that nature can offer. Be sure to start planning time to get outside for your entire family! It will benefit all of you.
At Yellow Brick Road, we know how valuable nature is for learning and overall health. We incorporate outside time in our programs so that your kiddos can learn more about the world around them. Learn more about our programs and contact us today with any questions you may have.