Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids That Will Teach Them More About Nature

At a time when screens seem to dominate our lives, it’s more important than ever to find ways to get our kids outdoors. Nature has a powerful way of calming, connecting, and inspiring us and our children. The great outdoors is a perfect place to explore, learn, and get creative with all kinds of exciting activities.

In this post, we’ll share some of the top outdoor activities you can do with your kids that will help them reconnect with nature, build new skills, and have a ton of fun doing it. From scavenger hunts to building fairy houses, these activities will teach your children important life lessons while bringing out their inner explorers.

Kid-friendly Outdoor Activities

Planting Seeds

Get your child a kid’s gardening kit. Planting seeds in your garden or pots can be an enjoyable and educational activity for your child. Teaching them about the different types of plants and how to care for them can give them a greater appreciation for nature and also provide them with a sense of accomplishment when their plants finally bloom.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is an entertaining and educational activity that can be enjoyed anywhere, simply by sitting and observing the birds in your area. Encourage your child to take note of the different types of birds they see, count how many of each type there are, and even take pictures as they go along.

Outdoor Crafts

Crafts are a wonderful way to get creative and have fun outdoors while teaching your child about the different types of materials around them and the best way to use them. This could be anything from collecting leaves and twigs for a collage or using clay for sculptures inspired by nature.

Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Imparting an Appreciation of Nature

By introducing your child to activities that incorporate nature, you’re giving them a chance to explore the beauty of their surroundings without having to travel far from home. This can help ignite their curiosity about nature while developing an appreciation for it, which will stay with them as they get older.

Learning About the Natural World

By engaging in various outdoor activities with your kids, you’ll be able to teach them more about the natural world around them. Through firsthand experiences and meaningful conversations, you can foster their natural curiosity.

Improving Cognitive Abilities

Engaging in outdoor activities is also known to improve cognitive abilities like concentration, problem-solving skills, memory, and creativity in very young children.

Sources of Inspiration

Local Parks

Taking a trip to your local park is always a great way to introduce new outdoor activities to your kids that you may have never done before, such as playing on playground equipment or exploring nearby trails on foot or bike. Here you’ll likely find some interesting wildlife or vegetation that could spark interesting conversations between you and your child about their environment.

Nature Centers

Nature centers are another great resource for families who may need some help getting started on their outdoor adventures. Many of these centers offer guided tours led by experts who can help you teach your children about the flora and fauna that call the center home. They also have hands-on activities like making crafts or planting seeds in special gardens at the center itself.

Books

Reading books together offers an exciting opportunity for learning more about nature while having fun at home. Whether it’s exploring a particular animal species or reading stories set outdoors, books can open up conversations between young minds and adults alike while offering countless opportunities to learn more about nature.

Safety Considerations

Clothing

When heading out into nature with children, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions you’re expecting, whether this means packing warm layers for winter months or sun protection for summer days spent outdoors. Keeping extra pairs of socks on hand is also a good idea if walking off-trail becomes part of your adventure.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is especially important when spending long periods outdoors in summer months or at higher altitudes. Always make sure children are wearing hats or visors and sunglasses when outside on sunny days. Applying sunscreen before heading out into nature should be part of any pre-outdoors preparation routine.

Preparing for Wildlife

Depending on where you live and how isolated your chosen destination will be when taking your children outdoors, it might be worth doing some research ahead of time to know what sorts of wild animals you could encounter during your journey. In general, it’s best to avoid startling wildlife whenever possible to avoid causing harm or distress to animals.

Conclusion

Outdoor activities are a great way to reconnect with nature as a family and also impart important life lessons to our children. There are endless ways to explore the outdoors and get creative. Best of all, these activities help kids develop greater appreciation and respect for the environment while also boosting their cognitive abilities.