While many of us may recall a childhood spent all day outdoors, today's children are more likely to be found inside in front of a screen. And all that time indoors can affect our kids' health and happiness. The good news is we can rectify this challenge by channeling your children's natural curiosity about nature into a lifelong passion for science and wildlife preservation. From fossils to finches and everything in between, here are helpful tips to get started.
Your property is ideal for fast-tracking your children's interest in nature. Your landscaping choices determine how much native wildlife visits your property. Choosing native plants and other adjustments to your property will increase the diversity of birds and insects in your yard.
Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
Below are tips to add food, shelter, and water to attract native birds and insects to your property.
Place your bird feeders, birdbaths, and nest boxes where your family can view them.
Buy field guides to identify the birds visiting your yard.
Feed migrating and overwintering birds by adding berry-bearing shrubs such as holly, beautyberry, or serviceberry to your landscape.
Plant native trees that attract native insects and the birds that eat them. Oaks, gum trees, and cherry trees attract the insects and bear fruit that feeds birds and other native wildlife.
Plant a pollinator garden with butterfly host plants such as milkweed to attract butterflies and the birds that eat their caterpillars. Caterpillars are a primary food source for birds raising their young.
Always have a camera to document your experience on a nature hike.
Plant a vegetable garden. The planting, watering, and weeding will create a child's sense of accomplishment at harvest time.
St art composting! A compost pile is a robust ecosystem that includes insects, worms, arthropods, and insect larvae- all the things that kids love!
Scenes from my pollinator garden
Keep Active
Instilling an appreciation of the great outdoors requires more time spent outside. As a result, your kids will enjoy spending time outdoors while improving their physical health. And even though you may feel busy and overwhelmed, many opportunities to bond with nature are close to home.
Hiking is a cost-effective way to exercise and explore nature! Bring your bird and insect field guides to your local hiking trails and enjoy the view! From mountain hikes to deserts, follow these tips for a safe family hiking trip.
Photo Credit: Allan Mas via Pexels
If you live near the mountains, introduce your family to mountain biking. It might sound like a risky pastime, but your family can learn to mountain bike safely with the proper preparation,
"Encourage your child to have muddy, grassy or sandy feet by the end of each day, that's the childhood they deserve." ~Penny Whitehouse
If you live near any large body of water, try kayaking with the family. It's a great way to enjoy the serenity of nature and an excellent opportunity to discuss water safety with your kiddos.
Take advantage of your area's habitat and teach your kids about trees. Visit your local arboretum to get fresh air and exercise while learning about the ecosystem surrounding each tree and how we contribute to that life cycle.
Consider taking your passion to the next level by becoming a teacher! Taking advantage of flexible online platforms is a key to success that you can use to inspire others.
Plan a Nature Trip
Go the extra mile with your family by traveling to see natural sights beyond your backyard. You can plan cool adventures such as a day or weekend trips.
You might think safaris are only in Africa, but you'd be wrong! You can take your family on several safaris across the United States and Canada.
Your kids are likely familiar with the infamous killer whale, but seeing one is a new adventure. So, check out places you can visit to see these fantastic creatures.
Try a whale-watching cruise to see different types of sea life. There are many throughout the US.
Are your kids obsessed with dinosaurs? Then take them fossil hunting! Channel your inner paleontologist to find fossils and artifacts. And it's sure to be an adventure the family won't soon forget. You can even bring home a few as souvenirs.
Keeping children active and immersing them in the wonders of nature is a time-tested approach to raising healthy and happy kids. With these outdoor activities, your family will learn about themselves and the natural world around them.
"Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves." ~ Stephen Moss
Guest blogger Brenda Kirby:
For Brenda Kirby, green still matters. She believes we can all make a difference in protecting Planet Earth. She helps folks make green choices by selecting eco-friendly products and services.
All photographs, unless otherwise noted, were taken on our one-acre property in eastern PA.
Photographs by SuperNaturalist.net
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