How to Enjoy Nature With Your Children

Nature is the ultimate playground for children. Unfortunately, in today’s modern world video games, computers and TVs are more often than not replacing natural play for children.

Research has proven that being in and around nature helps the imagination develop, reduces stress, makes you happier, and helps your wellbeing overall. Some experts have suggested that natural play for children is an imperative part of their developmental stages – from walking to attention span.

With so many positives to consider, here are a few suggestions to help you enjoy nature with your children.

#1 – Take a nature walk. This is the easiest way to get out and enjoy nature. Find a nice woody and leafy spot and go for a walk with the kids. Walk slowly and be patient as the kids stop to explore their surroundings. A simple ½ mile walk in nature with children can take hours! You can also take a backpack along and let the kids collect stones, sticks, leaves and other natural memorabilia on their walk.

#2 – Make a nature collage. After your nature walk why not take use your findings to make a natural collage. Give the kids some cardboard paper and let them stick their findings on. You can also label the different items to help them remember the names.

Another fun idea is to make nature faces. This involves cutting out a face shape from cardboard, back it with a hard box cardboard cut out so that it’s sturdy or simply cut the face shape out from an old box. Then use the nature items to make a face. Pinecones can make eyebrows. Twigs can be a moustache. Berries can make great eyes and teeth and so on. Let their imaginations run wild.

#3 – Go to a nature reservoir. If you’re lucky enough to have one close by nature reservoirs are great places to visit. The kids and parents can enjoy nature with an educational twist. They’ll learn about the local wildlife, habitats and much more.

#4 – Explore the seaside. Going to the beach is great in the summer but it’s also good fun in the autum and winter. The seaside takes on a whole different look – one of stormy turmoil and this can be quite exciting for children (and parents too!). Explore the area, dig your feet in the sand, hunt for wildlife, collect sea shells. A day at the beach a memorable experience for children.

#5 – Plant a wild garden. This nature trip involves stepping out into the backyard. Find an area in your garden (no matter how small) to build a wildlife garden and habitat. Plant a wildflower meadow. This doesn’t have to be large, even a tiny one is great and will become a haven for insects and wildlife.

Add a natural pond to attract even more wildlife.  A pond doesn’t have to be large or elaborate either. A plant pot dug into the ground with a few large stones inside an some water plants will do. It’s also a great alternative when you have children as the drowning hazard is minimal. You can even place wire mesh at the top just to be extra safe.

Finally, add a home for hedgehogs, butterflies, ladybugs and bees. These can be simply made from scraps of wood.  And don’t forget to leave out seeds to attract wild birds into the garden too.

Exploring nature with your children is fun and makes good sense all around. These tips are just the start. With a little imagination and thought there really are no limits to what you can achieve.

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