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 Times of stress and uncertainty persuaded us to find
information, comfort, and sanity in news feeds and binge-watching
our favorite shows. But as our state begins to open back up and our
lives return to some semblance of normal, it’s time to pull our kids
(and ourselves) away from our devices and head outside.
Beyond the benefits of less screen time, the mental, physical, and
emotional benefits of spending time in the natural world are
well-documented. Research has linked spending time in nature to a
plethora of positive results, including: reduced levels of
depression and anxiety, decreased inflammation, improved motor
skills, increased stress resilience, lower rates of obesity, better
problem solving skills, decreased blood pressure, enhanced attention
and focus – even better eyesight. In short: Go outside! Here are 12
ideas for what you and your kids can do once you get there.
· Square Foot Hike – Take a 4’ piece of string, a piece of
paper, a writing utensil, and (if you have one) a magnifying glass
to any outside location – a garden, the woods, your own backyard -
wherever. Shape the string into a square on the ground. Then, spend
at least 10 minutes observing the things in your square. What do you
notice about the ground covering? Do you see any insects, and if so,
what are they doing? What kind of plants are growing? Record your
observations on your paper as lists, drawings, stories, or other
creative interpretations.
· Catch Fireflies – Nothing creates kid-in-summer nostalgia
like chasing these magical, living twinkle lights; seeing them glow
in your hand; then watching them fly away.
· Start a Garden – Whether you have a huge yard that you can
dig up, or a few tin cans that you can set in a window, anyone can
be a gardener. All you need is soil, seeds, sunlight, and water. By
starting a garden, you and your children can grow your own food, add
to the beauty of your environment, create habitats for wildlife, and
be responsible for other living things. You can find more
horticulture resources from the University of Illinois Extension
Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit website at extension.illinois.edu/global/horticulture.
· Cloud Spotting – Take a few moments for mindfulness and
imagination. Lie in the grass and look up at a blue sky speckled
with clouds. What do you see?
· Play Pick-up Sticks –
Wander through your yard, your neighborhood, or a local green space
to find and collect a bunch of small sticks (three or four handfuls
should be plenty). Drop the sticks into a jumbled pile, then take
turns with the other players as you each attempt to remove one stick
from the mass without disturbing any of the others. You’ll be amazed
at the fun you’ll have!
· Make a Birdfeeder -
Take an empty toilet paper roll, spread peanut butter on the
outside, and roll it in birdseed. Then, hang it outside and observe
the many species of avian friends that might come visit. You can
even report your observations as a citizen Scientist to the Cornell
Lab or Ornithology at
www.birds.cornell.edu/citizenscience. [to top of second
column] |
· Take a Walk – If this seems too run-of-the-mill, add
some new elements. Try counting how many items you see: cars you pass, dogs on
leashes, cracks in the sidewalk – anything! Or try to make it through the entire
alphabet by naming things you see that start with each consecutive letter, like
a-airplane overhead, b-baby in a stroller, c-cardinal in a tree. Or make your
outing a service project by picking up litter.
· Star Gaze – Pick a clear night, go outside, and look up. The millions
of twinkling stars never cease to amaze. And if you’d like to learn more, Peoria
Riverfront Museum’s Dome Planetarium offers virtual shows and information at
www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/dome-planetarium/virtual-planetarium.
Plus, there are lots of apps that can help you identify what you’ll see in the
night sky. Try the NASA App, Star Chart, or Sky View Lite to get started.
· Mud Painting – Throw on a swimsuit or play clothes and find (or make) a
mud puddle. Use the mud as an artistic medium and your skin as the canvas. Use a
paint brush or your finger to draw fun mud designs on your arms and legs. Clean
up is as simple as running through the sprinkler or under the hose. Still too
messy? You can use paper instead.
· Blow Bubbles – What is it about these little, floating orbs that brings
such joy? Try to find out! If you’ve somehow tired of your regular bubble play,
try making your own bubble wands. Pipe cleaners, straws, yarn, wire hangers, and
toilet paper rolls are great materials to experiment with. For more ideas, check
out exploratorium.edu/search/bubbles.
· Nature Rubbings – Improve your observational skills and make works of
art with nature rubbings. Simply place a natural object – like a leaf, flat
rock, or pine needle – under a piece of paper. Then, rub the broad side of a
crayon over top. It’s texture and outline will show up, leaving beautiful
impressions. You can use a variety of objects and colors to make lovely
collages.
· Build a Shelter – Practice your architectural and survival skills by
using natural materials to build protection from the elements. In the woods, you
may be able to find fallen branches and bark to help. In your backyard, you may
want to use old sheets, towels, or ropes to supplement your structure. Neither
of these an option? See if you can gather enough twigs and leaves to build a
small house for a mouse – or a fairy.
Would you like to learn more?
· Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv -
richardlouv.com/books/last-child/
· Citizen Science Database and Info -
www.citizenscience.gov/#
· National Park Service -
www.nps.gov/kids/index.htm
[By Emily Schoenfelder, University of
Illinois Extension, 4-H Youth Development Educator]
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