There is so much you can do with kids outside. You could learn how to balance stones, although it takes patience to up that skill! You could even build a camp in your backyard and roast chicken batting away mosquitoes. How fun does that sound?
Whatever activity you choose, it would fuel a passion for nature in your kids, and that would take them a long way on the socio-spiritual journey in life.
Let your child roam around in your garden, show them an oak tree that has been standing there for decades. Tell them how exciting it was when you and your siblings built the playhouse on the tree. Make your child fall in love with nature and its beauty.
Children these days are glued to their screens and couches; hence, it is not a piece of cake to bring them outside. But remember that you don’t have to drag the children to a wildlife Sanctuary in Africa for them to be with nature. Pull down the shades and let the sunlight seep in. Ask your kids to look up from their tablets and cellphones, and relish the scenery outside.
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Become an Amateur Geologist, Go Rock hounding!
Mi Pham/Unsplash: A young girl playing with dirt
We all know that children love playing with dirt and are capable of spending hours collecting unusual stones, marbles, and pieces of wood. That is a really mind-easing way of spending leisure time for a child.
Join your kid on a small field trip and collect stones by the riverbank or at the park. You could also try to balance stones and rocks, one on top of the other. The balance point is hard to find, but it is so relaxing! Make sure you don’t trespass, though—you could visit the Bureau of Land Management Website to learn about rock hounding etiquettes.
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Camp Kitchen It Is!
A camping trip with kids
If your little one enjoys cooking ‘’’fake” food on his cute small pots and pans, set up camp! Make a “fire” and cook some rubber chicken. You might develop a knack for cooking as well!
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Outdoor Play Zones Are the Best
wildfirewilly/Unsplash: Playground climbers for backyards
Turn your backyard into a convenient theme park! Set up a trampoline, a bouncy castle, and a playhouse on a tree. There are many ways by which you could create a travel destination experience for your kids right at home. Blow bubbles, tie up some tire swings, and let them have the time of their lives!
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Let’s Go Barbie, let us Venture into The Woods.
We all loved Barbie and Ken growing up, and so do our kids. Get them playing and dig for treasure(rocks) with their dolls. Why not let Hulk carry some real boulders (also rocks)? Joyous, isn’t it?
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Go Bird Watching
This is another exciting way to connect with nature. Your children can learn various bird sounds, their colors, and where they live. This activity gets your kiddo observing the sky, the trees, and anything in between. They could learn what the birds are called, collect feathers, and participate in this educating activity.
You could also go canoeing, biking, swimming, and hiking with the kids. All these activities do not only keep your children busy, but studies have shown spending time out in the sunshine, breathing in fresh air reduces the risk of both mental and physical ailments. You would see no sign of depression, lethargy, or obesity in your kids if they are physically active. Less screen time, and more time outside, is the way to go!