To better appreciate the outside world, children need to actually experience it. Various outdoor activities can bring families together and foster a deeper sense of inner peace.
Digging in Dirt
Children love to play in dirt. Provide them with a sandbox and plenty of shovels, buckets, and other sand toys. Plastic sandboxes, such as the ones made by Little Tykes, tend to keep sand contained. They also come with lids to protect against weather. For children who like to dig deeper, create a wood-frame sandbox in the ground. Or, visit a local beach.
Have children assist with preparation and maintenance of flower beds. They can dig holes for new plants or mix compost in the soil. Children can also get digging satisfaction by scooping potting soil into a container.
Growing Plants
Children will have greater respect for nature if they can contribute to something’s growth. Have children plant seeds in the early spring. Let them design their own flowerpots or flowerbeds. Give them their own vegetable garden. Plant a tree.
Teach them how to feed and water the plants. Distinguish between weeds and good plants and how to remove them. When vegetables are ripe, harvest them, the cook together.
Observing Animals
Observing animals at work and play can be both fun and calming. Encourage animals to come to the yard. Put out several different bird feeders with different food to attract a variety of birds. Set up a separate squirrel and chipmunk feeding area. Plant a variety of flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Keep these feeding stations within view of the porch, a window, or a bench.
Yard Work
Beyond the gardening work is other yard work. Sticks must be picked up so that the grass can be mowed. Leaves must be raked. Tools need to be kept clean and something always needs to be repainted.
Playing in Water
Visit a nearby river, stream, or pond. Go fishing. Search for rocks. Count the fish swimming. Catch tadpoles to raise.
Go swimming in a lake or the ocean. Watch the waves crash and build a sandcastle. Look for rocks and shells. Take a boat ride.
Turn on the sprinkler and run around. Water the plants while cooling off and getting some exercise. Wash the cars and outdoor furniture.
Walking
Take regular walks around the neighborhood. Check out local parks and trails to hike. Bookstores often have a section on local books, many of which include nearby trails and parks. Also check the front of the phone book for contact information for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Watching the Sky
Get up extra early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Lie back in the grass, looking for shapes in the clouds. Watch thunderheads roll in prior to a storm. Sit outside to watch the sunset. At night, gaze up at the sky looking for constellations or shooting stars.
Bringing the Inside Out
Most favorite indoor activities can also be enjoyed outside. Lay out some blankets and read a book or draw a picture. Make a big messy art project. If it’s not too windy, bring out favorite board and card games. Have an outdoor picnic. Breathe in that fresh air.
Outside play and work is important to a child’s development. It gives him a sense of belonging in the world. Belonging leads to appreciation, which leads to caring for the world.
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