Summer is coming, and that means your child is about to meet a world of wonder no screen can simulate. But if they’re not usually the outdoor type or you haven’t stressed outdoor safety, now’s the time. Here, we’ll cover a few fun nature-based activities to share with your child that will encourage safe and healthy time outside.
Backyard camping
What it teaches: Overcoming fears and learning to love Mother Nature.
Kids today spend so much time indoors; their outside play time is half of what older generations enjoyed as youth. And while your kids might be happy playing in the backyard for a few minutes after school, once the sun goes down, they may run straight for the door. Camping outside teaches that the world is not something to fear but an environment worthy of embrace. But it can be a scary place. It’s dark, teeming with unfamiliar sounds, and void of the relative safety of the ceiling and four walls your child is accustomed to.
Spend the night with your children sleeping under the stars. It may be daunting at first, but they will soon learn to enjoy the soothing sounds of crickets, frogs, and owls as they go about their nightly business. They’ll learn to appreciate the great outdoors and, hopefully, with age, feel a little more comfortable in the wilderness even when you’re not right there to guide them.
Open-fire cooking
What it teaches: Fire safety and alternative cooking methods.
There’s nothing quite like roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over an open fire. It’s a fun outdoor activity that doubles as a family meal, and can even lead into lessons about foraging and plant safety. However, fire safety is a major concern, and children should be taught from an early age how to behave around an open flame. Together with your children, determine the best place for a fire pit or campfire. According to This Old House, this location should be more than 10 feet from the home, overhead tree branches, and anything flammable. Teach your children how to properly kindle a fire and to always sit a safe distance from the flames.
In addition to fire safety, you can use a campfire to teach children alternative cooking methods. The Fire Pit Gallery lists the 10 best campfire foods you can make at home. This is an excellent exercise to show the kids how food was prepared in days gone by and to prove you don’t need a microwave for popcorn.
Birdwatching
What it teaches: How to enjoy wildlife from a distance and how different creatures choose their habitat.
Birdwatching is an activity that even your youngest future outdoorsman can enjoy. Grab a pair of binoculars, and let your child look from afar at how different bird species at a nearby park or in your own backyard interact with one another and build habitats. You and your children may be pleasantly surprised to find that birds don’t only make nests in trees. As the Golden State Audubon Society explains, some birds choose to nest in cavities or boroughs while others go to ground for safety.
There is a whole world to explore beyond the front door. Teach your child the lessons they need to walk into the sunshine with an open heart and a fearless mind. It’s never too early to begin seeing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.