25 Nature Adventures for Kids
Ideas for exploring the natural world -- even in your own backyard.
by Jenni Frankenberg Veal
June 16, 2009
17. Follow the phases of the moon. The moon affects nature and all living things, but it is so easy to overlook its changing beauty. Take a month to watch the moon phases. Each night at the same time, step outside and look up. Have your child
draw each night's moon phase. Or just look and listen to night sounds. Find
some moon-themed children's books at the library or bookstore that you can read together during your moon-study month. There are many websites that can provide additional age-appropriate information about the moon
18. Pack up some books and read outside. Find a special place outdoors to read — under a tree, in a hammock, on a porch or at the park. Pack your backpack with books and snacks and head out to read with your child. This takes away all the distractions
of home, such as phones, all things electronic, and the constant need to clean. If you need some new books, look for nature themes at the library or bookstore. Learn more about the importance of reading aloud to your child, as well as age-appropriate books,
at
Read Aloud Magic.
19. Explore in a canoe. Canoeing is a fun way to explore local waterways, as well as to quietly observe the plants and animals that live around water. If you have never canoed and are starting from scratch, call a local nature center, aquarium
or outdoor recreation retail store for information about canoe outfitters in your area. There are also canoe and kayak clubs in many areas that offer skill training and outings.
20. Take a hike. Hiking is great exercise and a fun way to spend family time. Look online or ask around for local trails. Fill a backpack with snacks and water, and you're off for an easy outdoor adventure.
21. Start a nature basket. Find an old basket, or something made of a natural material, that can be your family's nature basket — a place to keep anything beautiful that is found outdoors. This is a great place to keep rocks, sticks, shells,
fossils, pine cones or anything else deemed beautiful by your family while exploring the outdoors. Be sure not to disturb anything growing or take anything that should remain outdoors (such as bird nests). Keep the nature basket in an accessible place for
your child to empty and look through whenever he feels the urge. Find a special place in the woods or near water for returning items back to nature when you are through with them or when you need more space for new items in the basket.
22. Inspire the imagination. If you ever thought you had "discovered" something ancient in nature as a child, you probably still remember it to this day. Children come alive when they believe they have discovered something, whether it's a hidden treasure in the bottom of a creek or a flint rock that could have belonged
to an American Indian. Help your child think like an archaeologist, anthropologist or historian by opening your mind to what you could be looking at in nature. Even the mere suggestion that
a rock could be a dinosaur bone, that a crevice could be a footprint, or that a stone could be an ancient animal bone can stir a child's imagination and joy in exploration.
23. Host a water day. Invite friends over for water fun in the yard or a park. A small pool isn't necessary, but if you have space, use it. Make bubble buckets with water and soap. Play with water balloons. Bring ice cubes outdoors to watch them melt.
Put out a sprinkler. Water toys can include bottles, sponges, spoons, cups and pitchers. This is a great activity for hot days in July and August.
24. Play in the rain. Turn off the parent voice in your head that says "Get out of the rain!" and let your child stomp in puddles and get muddy and soaking wet. Rain boots and an umbrella are optional.
25. Take a family camp vacation. Put away the Mickey Mouse ears and take the whole family to camp for vacation this year. Many summer camps offer weekend or week-long sessions for families to enjoy all aspects of camp together — activities,
meals, cabins, campfires and roughing it. Call the traditional summer camps in your area to see if they offer family camp sessions or look online for family camps around the country.
About the Author
|
|
Related Articles
|
|
Jenni Veal writes about nature education, travel and the natural landscape of the southeastern United States. As a magazine writer and editor based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she enjoys helping parents to discover the beauty within nature with their children. |
|
|
-
by Nicole Feliciano
Our five favorite ocean alternatives.
-
by Miriam Axel-Lute
How to keep your kids' "inner wildness" — and still keep them safe.
-
by Oz Spies
Indoor activities to keep your kids happy - and you sane.
|
