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If only... -

Back in the day, nature was a normal part of everyone's childhood. Come rain or shine, it was a place to escape from your parents and play independently.

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Natural connection -

Psychologist Edward O.Wilson even invented a theory called biophilia. It states that human beings are instinctively drawn towards nature in youth and adulthood.

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The reality -

Now, with large cities, office jobs, and growing suburbs, many people are alien to nature. Not being in natural surroundings enough also has a name: nature-deficit disorder.

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Playtime -

According to the Child Mind Institute, children on average spend four to seven minutes playing outside per day.

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Sad truth -

In contrast to this, they spend about seven hours indoors looking at screens! Not only is this terrible for their eyes, but also their overall development.

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Why is it important? -

There are a multitude of benefits to outdoor play. It is both physically and mentally important for children's development. It also give carers a bit of a respite.

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Confidence -

When children play outdoors, they have to make their decisions independently. Being able to choose what they want to do enhances their confidence because they get used to understanding what they like and dislike. Consequently, they learn more about who they are and can come to terms with it.

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Imagine and create -

Nature provides a blank canvas for a child. They can make games from anything, and they have to use their imagination and creativity to do so. Video games are already created, and so children playing them lose out on the opportunity to flex their own mind muscles.

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Responsibility -

You can't teach responsibility in words. It's something children have to feel for themselves. Letting a child look after a living thing, a plant or a pet, is a great way for them to learn responsibility first hand.

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Get 'em moving -

There are more overweight children than there have ever been before. It seems likely that not running around outdoors as much has contributed to this. If you want your children to be tired by bedtime and grow physically strong, they've got to move around.

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Thinking -

Being surrounded by living, beautiful things is pretty thought-provoking for adults and children alike. The outdoors subtly teaches children about life, growth, death, and decay.

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Less fatigue and stress -

When a child is in a city, a lot of their brain is taken up by ignoring the wealth of stimuli around them. It can lead them to be tired during the day and mentally overwhelmed. Time in nature will remedy these problems, as it is calming and restorative.

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X marks the spot -

An exciting way to get kids snooping around the garden is with a treasure hunt. They are mentally stimulating, fun, and great for a large group.

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Nature books -

Try taking a nature book with you when you're out with the kids. Naming species and sharing fun facts sparks children's interest and makes learning fun.

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Special tools -

All children love to role-play. There is no better way to do so than with the proper tools. By giving your child instruments that they can use in nature, they'll be more inclined to explore the outside world.

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Special occasions -

Instead of having a normal couch film night, try bringing the experience outside so your kids get used to the outdoors. Or instead of going to a movie theater, find an outdoor performance to go to.

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Collections -

Kids often enjoy building little collections of things. Ditch the supermarket stickers and encourage them to collect pretty rocks, shells, or even sticks. Anything that gets them snooping around outside.

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Phones? -

It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes that smartphone can be a help. If your child is crazy about theirs, use it to your advantage. Ask them to take photos outside, or identify plants with an app.

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Starry night -

A great app for camping is Night Sky. When you turn your smartphone to the sky, it shows you all the constellations. Bring a book with the stories of the planets as well, so your child can learn and appreciate nature at the same time.

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Harvest time -

Going to a Pick-Your-Own farm is a great day out. Bring some baskets and get your children to pick all kinds of fruits and vegetables to bring home.

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Gardening -

Make a long-term project with your child to create a vegetable patch. Not only will they have responsibilities they have to fulfill outside, but they will also take great pleasure in picking the seeds to plant and playing around in the dirt.

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Cooking your produce together -

Children become more enthusiastic about homegrowing when they eat delicious food! Have a fun cooking evening where they cook the vegetables and fruits they have grown.

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Hiking -

The perfect weekend activity is hiking. It is good for both children and adults as exercise and relaxation.

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Swimming in nature -

Too many people are afraid of jumping in a river or running through a waterfall. Kids can have such fun swimming in natural places.

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On your bike -

Fun for all the family, biking trips are good exercise and can take you to some beautiful places. If you teach your child to ride at a young age, they will have more freedom and likely be more fit as teenagers.

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Art -

The outdoors is full of things you can use in decorating and art. From a potato wedge stamp to leaf printing, it is easy to keep your kids artistically entertained with the goods of nature.

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Bird feeders -

Putting things in your garden that attract nature encourages your kids to have an appreciation for the animals surrounding them. Making a bird feeder is a good step towards this.

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Dens -

Every kid loves to make their own den. It's fun, creative, and gives them a sense of independence. If you're in a forest or any kind of wooded place, set them a task to build one.

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Pets -

Although it's more responsibility, having a pet can drastically increase the time children spend outdoors. They will take it on walks, play in the garden, and learn responsibility for another living thing.

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The last resort -

If your kid can't go outside on a particular day for whatever reason, at least choose programs that are set in nature. Children's imaginations will become fused with the outdoorsy stories, and this will encourage them to go outside themselves.

Sources: (Child Mind Institute)(Super Healthy Kids)

See also: Things parents should never say to their kids

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