Too often now, children are on their mobiles or tablets. The days of warning them about getting “square eyes” are long gone, with younger and younger kids wasting hours online.
This can be a bit of a worry for parents; kids’ need more stimulation than what can be offered from a device, and the outdoors has so much more to offer. You, as a parent, should take it upon yourself to teach your children the benefits of nature. But how?
If you want your children to appreciate the world around them, and not just the world inside a screen, try some of these ideas to encourage a love of nature in your children.
1. Go on Nature Walks
A great way to get kids interested in nature is to go on regular nature walks. This doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, just a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood or local park. Point out different plants and animals, and get them to really look and listen to their surroundings.
Nature walks will also allow your children to exercise, without even realizing it. You can even turn it into a game, like a treasure hunt, where they have to find different things along the way. Make a list of things that they can find outside, and see how many they can tick off.
2. Plant a Garden
Planting a garden is a great way to get kids interested in nature. They can help you choose the plants, and then help to water and care for them. Seeing their plants grow will give them a real sense of achievement.
If you don’t have much space, you can even grow plants in pots on a balcony or windowsill. Herbs are particularly easy to grow, and can be used in cooking too.
3. Visit a Zoo or Wildlife Park
If you want to really get your kids interested in nature, take them to see some of the more exotic animals up close. Zoos and wildlife parks are great for this, as they can see animals that they would never normally see in the wild.
Make sure to do your research before you go though, as some zoos have been criticized for the way they treat their animals. Try to find a zoo that is accredited by a reputable organisation, such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
4. Go Camping
Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and to really appreciate nature. Sleeping under the stars, and being surrounded by trees and wildlife is an experience that everyone should have at least once.
If you’ve never been camping before, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. Camping can be as simple as pitching a tent in your backyard, or you can go all out and go on a week-long camping trip.
5. Take Them Fishing
This is perfect if you do choose to go camping. Fishing is a great way to teach patience, and kids will love the sense of achievement when they catch a fish.
Just make sure that you check the local regulations first, as there may be restrictions on what type of fish you can catch, and where you can fish. For example, fishing at Lake George will require a fishing license, so you should plan ahead.
Fishing is also a great way to bond with your children. You can teach them everything that you know about fishing, and they can even teach you a thing or two.
6. Go Stargazing
One of the best things about nature is the night sky. If you want to get your kids interested in nature, go stargazing with them. Lie on a blanket in your backyard, and look up at the stars.
There are plenty of apps and websites that can help you identify the different constellations. If you’re lucky, you might even see a shooting star.
7. Build a Birdhouse
This is a great activity to do together as a family. You can buy a birdhouse kit, or build one from scratch. Once it’s built, you can paint it and decorate it however you like.
Hanging the birdhouse up in your garden will give you the perfect opportunity to teach your kids about the different types of birds that visit your garden. You can even keep a bird watching journal, to record all the different types of birds that you see.
8. Learn About Local Wildlife
There is so much wildlife all around us, even in built-up areas. Take some time to learn about the different types of wildlife that live in your area, and see if you can spot them when you’re out and about.
You can find out about local wildlife by visiting your local library, or by doing a quick search online. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be surprised at how much wildlife you can find.
To Sum Up
There are so many ways to encourage a love of nature in your children. The most important thing is to spend time together as a family, and to really appreciate the world around you.
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