How to spend time in nature with kids

A childhood spent in nature is idyllic, healthy and mind-opening. Not to mention it lays the perfect foundations for a life-long love of our beautiful planet. Yet for many children being outdoors is not their every day reality.

In fact, in 2016, a shocking report by Unilever found that three-quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates. The pressure on schools to hit academic targets, traffic-clogged roads and now social distancing and Corona-fear all combine to make staying indoors the norm for many children. But the truth is that a life lived outdoors is good for kids in so many ways:

Nature is calming - outdoor activities like digging and splashing necessitate slowing down and focussing in a more mindful way on the world around them. Nature is great for health - not only does the physical activity of running around in nature make children fit, but the oxygen and stimulation of the ‘rest and restore’ areas of our brain induced by nature helps them sleep better too. Nature is good for language - Studies show that children use five times as many words when they play outdoors because they aren’t inhibited by volume or the pressure of talking in front of their peers. Nature is good for the environment - children who appreciate the beauty and importance of the natural world around us will grow up determined to preserve it.

One of the biggest obstacles for children getting outdoors is parents who are themselves alienated by nature. It might sound odd to people who grew up roaming in the dirt, but if outdoor activities don’t come naturally to you, it can be incredibly daunting to get outside with your children, particularly if they seem just as happy in front of the TV. It’s not something to be ashamed of. And sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration and a guiding hand.

So, following on from our previous blog on raising earth-friendly kids, we’re sharing our top ideas on how to spend time in nature with your little ones. 

Host outdoor playdates

Kids love playdates! Planning screen-free outdoor playtime is an easy way to get your kids outside enjoying nature. Plan a (socially distanced) trip to your local park and let the kids run off some steam at the play area. Or, organise a nature scavenger hunt and challenge your kids to find items in your garden or neighbourhood...it doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Just flowers, leaves, or insects will do.

And Don’t let bad weather put you off planning outdoor playdates. We know that kids love splashing around in muddy puddles and playing in the rain. Just try make sure they have a water-proof coat and wellies! Check out this blog post for lots of great tips on hosting fun outdoor playdates.

Take family activities outside

We love spending time with our kids watching movies, playing games, or getting creative with arts and crafts. In Summer you can take this family fun outside by creating an outdoor cinema in your garden. Or, build a fort with blankets and cushions and host a family game night outside…cards, dominoes, a jigsaw...

And ff you’ve never tried painting on a fence with water you’ll be amazed how much kids love it. Far less mess than real paints. Most family activities can be taken outside, so try to get creative and encourage your little ones to get outdoors. 

Eat Al-Fresco

Eating outside never grows old. Weekend lunches can take place as picnics in the park - if it’s drizzly you can always shelter under a big fir-tree! And there’s nothing quite like a takeaway pizza eaten on a rug in the garden on balcony. Sitting on the floor makes everything seem that bit more fun…even in lockdown.

Bring the outdoors in

There are plenty of fun ways to bring the outdoors in, so you can still enjoy nature on miserable days! Go on a nature walk and collect some treasures like fallen leaves and pinecones to bring home. You can draw them, use them to make imprints in playdoh, or just investigate how they work. Check out this nature activity pack by Frugi for ideas of things to spot in nature. You could also go on a family litter pick in your local park or beach and help clean up your environment. Make sure you wear gloves etc. Bring the litter home and put it in the recycling, or pop it into a community litter bin. Another great idea is to lend your little one your phone or an old camera and help them to photograph some of the wonders of nature. They'll love finding their subject and will want to look at it time and time again. You could even print them off for their own nature album or gallery wall at home.