We all want to get our kids outside and into nature but how do we accomplish it? Here are 6 Ideas for Getting Your Kids into Nature.

 

6 Ideas for Getting Your Kids into Nature

In today’s digital world, it can be hard to pull your kids away from screens. From cell phones to TVs to laptops, you can access the world with the touch of a button. And as great as that is, it can also be detrimental for a child to grow up in that environment. Being constantly surrounded by bright lights and colors can deter kids from pursuing more mentally stimulating hobbies, like going outside.

 

Playing in nature is a pivotal part of being young! Every kid should experience the joy of playing hide and go seek and rolling around in the grass, but unfortunately this seems less and less common in today’s society. While pulling your kids away from their screens might be challenging, it’s not impossible. You just have to come up with the right tactics. Here are 6 ideas for getting your kids into nature:

1.   Create an Activity

Instead of just opening up your back door and yelling at your kids to get outside, entice them to go themselves with a fun activity. Plan out a treasure hunt for the whole family to go on, with clues and prizes. Or, create a fun backyard science experiment. These will keep your kids entertained for hours.

2.   Go on Hikes

Hiking is a great way to get the whole family involved in an entertaining outdoor activity. Put on some hiking boots, pack a delicious lunch in your kid’s favorite lunch box, and your family is bound to enjoy spending quality time together in nature. You will just want to make sure you pick a hike with something at the end of it, like a waterfall or swimming hole, so your kids don’t get bored.

 

3.   Give Them Gadgets

Nothing entices kids more than fun gadgets. If you’re trying to get your kids to spend more time outside, you will want to treat them to useful tools, like a reusable water bottle, a magnifying glass, or a shovel. Kids love new things.

 

4.   Download Outdoor Apps

If you can’t get your kids away from the screens, bring the screens to the outdoors. And by that, I mean download kid friendly outdoor apps that they will actually enjoy using. There are countless outdoor apps that your kids will love, like one that can identify plants just by pointing your phone camera at it. How cool!

 

5.   Get Crafty

Spending time outside doesn’t necessarily have to mean going on hikes and playing in the grass—there are plenty of other activities you can do outside. If your kids are into arts and crafts, get a blank canvas, some watercolor paint, and encourage them to paint their surroundings. Another fun craft to do with your kids is picking flowers and pressing them into books. Your kids will have so much fun, they’ll want to do arts and crafts outside every time!

6.   Play Water Games

If it’s the summer or you live somewhere that’s warm year-round, you’ll definitely want to entice your kids to get outside with water games. Get a sprinkler and fill up some water balloons and your kids are going to have a ball. There’s nothing like playing water games with your kids outside.

 

Just because we live in a digital world doesn’t mean your kids can’t appreciate the outdoors. It’s important to have a balance between screen time and time in nature, so make sure you get your kids outside every so often. Try out any of these 6 ideas and your kids will be begging to play hide and go seek outside with their friends in no ti