Raising Outdoorsy Kids: Cultivating a Love for Nature from an Early Age

In a world captivated by screens and digital distractions, instilling a love for nature in your children is a gift that lasts a lifetime. And what if my kid grows up and doesn’t love the activities I love?!?! This blog post delves into the importance of raising outdoorsy kids and provides practical tips for fostering a genuine connection with the great outdoors from an early age (and here’s a book that could inspire even more).

Nature's Classroom:

Nature is the best classroom for young minds. It stimulates curiosity, creativity, and a sense of wonder. Raising outdoorsy kids means recognizing the immense educational value that nature provides. I remember being astonished as a science teacher from my youth could tell which trees were oak and which ones were maple. There is so much to learn about nature, so it’s best to begin young.

Lead by Example:

Children often emulate the behavior of their parents. If you want your kids to love nature, let them see your passion for it. Engage in outdoor activities yourself, whether it's hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a picnic in the park. And try not to freak out too much if your kid has a terrible time during one of the experiences. It’s probably NOT the activity itself, but potentially hunger, fatigue, or just a bad day. Make sure to try the same thing another day with a full belly and new start.

Explore Together:

Embark on outdoor adventures as a family. Explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails. Shared experiences in nature create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds. I can get frustrated about how long it might take to walk just a block in our neighborhood, but our daughter just soaks up every new thing she sees, and I need to remember how new it all is to her. Even if it’s just rocks.

Make It Fun:

Turn outdoor activities into enjoyable games. Create scavenger hunts, build nature forts, or organize a family-friendly camping trip. The key is to make nature exploration an exciting and positive experience. Hunting for items of a specific colors is a particular popular game in our family — and general “I spy.”

Nature Crafts and DIY Projects:

Merge creativity with nature by incorporating outdoor elements into arts and crafts. Collect leaves, sticks, and rocks during your outings to use in DIY projects at home. Flower pressing, rock painting, stick building? I never really thought about this until our kid’s daycare sent her home with a colored page with glued leaves on it. Brilliant!

Celebrate the Seasons:

Each season offers unique opportunities for outdoor activities. From snowball fights in winter to flower picking in spring, embracing the changing seasons introduces variety and excitement into your outdoor adventures.

Introduce Basic Survival Skills:

Teach age-appropriate survival skills like identifying edible plants, tying knots, or setting up a simple shelter. These skills not only enhance their connection with nature but also boost confidence and self-reliance. The key here is “age-appropriate.”

Wildlife Exploration:

Encourage an appreciation for wildlife by observing birds, insects, and other creatures in their natural habitats. Invest in a pair of binoculars and a simple field guide to spark their interest in the diverse world of living beings. Deer in the backyard yields complete fascination from our toddler these days.

Technology Balance:

While technology has its place, limit screen time and encourage outdoor play instead. Balance is key in cultivating a love for nature, ensuring that children appreciate both the virtual and natural worlds. This can be difficult, depending on age. Do your best. Has anyone tried these phone locks for big kids?

Create a Backyard Oasis:

Even if you don't live near expansive natural spaces, transform your backyard into a mini oasis. Plant flowers, set up a small vegetable garden, or create a bird feeder (with or without a camera) to attract local wildlife. (Note: this is still on my personal to-do list…)

Raising outdoorsy kids involves fostering a genuine connection with nature that goes beyond occasional outings. It's about creating a lifestyle that values and embraces the natural world. By incorporating these tips into your parenting approach, you'll be sowing the seeds for a love of nature that will flourish throughout your children's lives. Get outside, explore, and let the adventure begin!