Being in nature can enhance brain development, school performance, communication and reduce anxiety. So, how do you help your kid enjoy it?
Every day seems to bring a new article about how good nature is for you, and how important it is to care about it. But lots of kids these days want to spend time on their screen, not outside. And honestly? Sometimes you do too.
Here are 11 ideas for nurturing that nature-lover hidden in all of us.
1. Start young.
Enjoy the CPL Story Trail around the pond in Heritage Park, or even a walk around your own neighborhood. Do tummy time on your lawn, or on the grass in a park. Already sitting up? Try rolling a ball back and forth on the grass.
2. Do it together.
When kids are young, they want to spend time with you. Pay attention to them when you are outdoors—if they see you love being outside, and that it’s a way to spend time with you and get your attention, they will love it too. Make a practice of going on walks, spending time in your yard or a nearby park and learning about nature together.
3. Schedule it.
Does your kid like the outdoors once they’re there, but never wants to go? Or do you always mean to go out, but then lose track of time?
Give your kids, and yourself, some control and predictability. Make your playground visit or walk the same time every week, or involve your child in the schedule planning so they have some control too. Before it’s time to go, remind them about the plan.
4. Bring an activity.
Yes, the point is to be out in nature, but sitting around can be boring. You can bring activities that encourage interacting with nature, but a snack and coloring book can be equally effective. Time coloring outside still “counts” as being outside.
Similarly, if your kid is really into their (or your) phone, try playing Pokémon Go with them while you head down the trail or sidewalk—they will get the benefit of a walk outdoors, and you can finally learn what a Swampert is.
5. Get geeky about science.
Discovery is absorbing. Once you really start looking closely at nature, there is a lot going on.
The scientific method—asking a question, researching/observing, guessing, testing—can help your kid bring focused attention to the world around them. Are all clouds big and fluffy? How many types of plants are there in your lawn? How does the air quality in your neighborhood change from day to day?
This kind of discovery can be self-directed, or you can get kids involved in larger scale citizen science projects where their observations can make a big impact.
6. Bridge the gap with apps.
Don’t know much about nature yourself? Try any of the plethora of nature and citizen science apps out now, many of which are free, and learn along with your kid. Here are a few good ones to get you started:
- Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Ornithological Lab can teach you to identify birds by sight and sound.
- Night Sky teaches you about the constellations—even during the day—by using your smartphone’s GPS signal and orientation.
- Rockd lets you explore and learn about the geologic record, contribute your own observations and log your journey.
None of those strike your fancy? A quick internet search of nature apps will bring up many options.
7. Make it their time.
If your kid is testing their independence, or just doesn’t seem interested in being outdoors, try sending them outside on their own—even if it’s just into the backyard. Time and space away from adults allow children to try things out.
Resist your instinct to program, optimize or organize your kid’s time outside. Let it be their place to be themselves.
8. Keep it simple.
Simplicity can be the key to creating a habit that lasts. Simple things are easy to do, which means that you are likely to do them more often, and they feel less fussy or drawn out. You don’t always have to go to a park; ride a bike around the block or watch the birds in your front yard. Nature is everywhere!
9. Indirect/indoor nature is good too.
Still can’t get your kid outside? Even indirect exposure to nature can have benefits.
Storylines that focus on nature, or have strong natural elements, can help develop appreciation and help kids identify themselves with nature (rather than just with the built environment). Try a recommended nature documentary or explore the catalog for nature-related titles.
10. Talk about it.
Even once your kids are older, they are still influenced by what they see you do and hear you talk about.
Try and schedule some time to spend in nature yourself. Try some of the tricks above if you find yourself reluctant. Mention what you saw or what you did. Describe the effort involved in planning and holding aside that time, as part of how you demonstrate that being in nature is important to you.
11. Make a deal.
Change is hard. Often when we try to make changes in our own behavior and habits, we automatically start making deals with ourselves: if I do this, I’m allowed to get this or do that. Those deals help us get past inertia, which can stand in the way of even things we like.
So, make a deal with your kid. For example, spend an hour outside, then you can spend one on your phone. Or spend the afternoon outside, and you can pick what we have for dinner. Offering a deal helps start the behavior, and the behavior is often self-enforcing because it’s enjoyable.
Need more ideas, or want to pursue one of these tips further? Check out this booklist of titles focused on inspiring your child's relationship with nature through activities and stories.
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