As a mom playing with our kids is an everyday thing, but sometimes it’s good to break out of the house and explore nature. Breathe the fresh air, let your kids venture off the beaten path a little bit, and have some good old-fashioned fun.
Nature outdoor activities keep kids busy, help them learn about their surroundings, and give parents a chance to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. I’ll admit, that when I take my children outside it does give me a break from the thought of house chores, or the dreadful question of “What am I going to cook for dinner?” and to be honest there are still things you need to be careful with while being outdoors, but it’s a relief from being stuck indoors. Plus seeing your kids’ faces light up when they discover something new makes it worthwhile!
I remember playing outdoors as a kid, being surrounded by nature was such a great experience from making mud pies, to collecting flowers, and chasing lizards and butterflies. Climbing trees with adult supervision of course! Playing hide and go seek with family and friends while hiding in the coolest secret spots ever! Looking for four-leaf clovers after a couple of days of rain because the grass would grow faster. Observing mushrooms because they reminded me of tiny cute umbrellas. The memories I have growing up playing outdoors as a kid are irreplaceable. Now that I have my children I want them to explore the outdoors and have fun with nature activities so they can make great memories and keep them for a lifetime!
Outdoor activities are a great way for families to bond and explore nature together. And, they don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Just get out there and have a fun great experience.
Benefits of natural outdoor activities
- Being in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety
- Kids can explore and use their imaginations
- Being outdoors is a great way to get some exercise
Safety outdoor tips for family
Be sure to go over safety tips with your family before heading outdoors. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
- Supervise children at all times
- Stay on marked trails
- Avoid poisonous plants
- Watch out for insects
- Be aware of the weather conditions
- Bring a first-aid kit
- Let someone know where you’re going
- Don’t pick up unknown creatures
- Watch out for allergies
- Have allergy medication
Nature supply list:
If you are planning on doing nature activities do not forget about these essential items:
- Binoculars
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Backpack or Bag
- Water and snacks
- Hats and Caps
- Hiking Shoes or boots
- First-aid kit
- Camera
Here are some great ideas for outdoor activities that will get the whole family excited about nature.
1. Go on a hike: Taking the kids on a hike is a great way to get some exercise while also enjoying the outdoors. Make sure to pack snacks and plenty of water so everyone stays hydrated. Find a local trail, strap on your hiking boots, and explore! Make sure to bring along a camera so they can snap pictures of all the cool things they see!
Here are some Hiking safety Tips:
- Keep children in view
- Carry a Whistle
- Carry a First aid kit
- Have on hand Snacks, Water and backpack
- Stay on marked trails
- Wear bright color clothing
Hiking Gear:
- Carry a Whistle
- First aid kit
- Snacks, Water and backpack
- Shoes
2. Visit a park: Spending time at a local park is another great way to get some fresh air. Let the kids run around and explore, and be sure to pack a lunch to enjoy in the park.
3. Go swimming: Swimming is a great activity for all ages and is perfect for hot summer days. If you don’t have a pool
Here are some Swimming Safety Tips:
- Always supervise your children
- Use life jackets when needed
- Teach your kids about water safety
Swimming Gear:
- Flotation suits/ Devices
- Water shoes
- Sunscreen
- Swimming Diapers
- Rash Guards
- Hats
- Water safety Alarm band
- Swimming Vest
4. Go biking: Biking is another great activity for the whole family. You can explore new trails or stick to the neighborhood streets. Either way, everyone will get some exercise and fresh air.
Here are some Bike Safety Tips:
- Wear a Helmet
- Follow trails/ sidewalks
- Wear bright color clothes
- Stick together
- Use hand signals
Biking Gear:
- Bike
- Helmet
- Elbow and Knee pads
- Shoes
- Gloves
5. Have a picnic: Picnics are a great way to enjoy a summer meal outdoors. Make sure to pack some snacks and drinks, and find a spot with a view.
6. Create an Activity Jar: An activity jar is a great way to keep the kids entertained while also getting them excited about nature. Fill a jar with slips of paper that have different outdoor activities written.
7. Go on a nature walk: This is a great way to explore and learn about your surroundings. Make sure to bring a camera so you can take pictures of things you see along the way.
8. Collect shells or leaves: This is a fun activity for kids of all ages. You can use the shells or leaves you collect to make crafts or just enjoy looking at them.
9. Skip rocks: See how many times you can skip a rock across a lake or pond.
10. Climb trees: If there are safe trees to climb in your area, this is a great activity for kids
11. Bird watching: You can do this anywhere there are birds! See how many different types of birds you can spot and try to identify them by their colors, songs, or behavior. Using binoculars can make it easier to pin point the birds location.
12. Scavenger hunt: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. Make a list of things to look for on your nature walk or hike, and see who can find the most items.
13. Gardening: Planting a garden is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and teach kids about nature. You can grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs.
14. Go fishing: Fishing is a great way to bond with your kids and teach them patience. It’s also a good opportunity to teach them about responsible wildlife management.
Here are some Safety Fishing tips:
- Explain Rules
- Have Drinks and Snacks
- Carry a Whistle
- Use Barbless hooks
- Supervise children
Fishing gear:
- Appropriate Clothing
- Float and Line
- Life Jacket
- Use kid friendly tackle
- First Aid Kit
15. Nature journaling: This is a great activity for all ages. Use a notebook to record your thoughts, feelings, and observations about
16. Construct with sticks and mud: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. It’s a fun way to be creative and use your imagination. They can create forts, shapes, and so much more!
17. Bug Hunting: Catching bugs is a great way to learn about the creatures that live in your area. Using a Bug container makes it easier to carry around while searching for those creepy crawlers. Make sure to release them back into the wild when you’re done.
18. Leaf collecting: Leaf collecting is fun, leaves are different shapes and colors, and you can use them to make crafts.
19. Leaf rubbings: Place a leaf under a piece of paper and rub the paper with a crayon to create leaf rubbing art.
20. Nature paintings: Use leaves, sticks, flowers, or other natural materials to create a work of art.
21. Star gazing: observing stars and constellations is a great way to spend an evening outdoors.
22. Building a fort: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. It can be done with sticks, leaves, and branches.
23. Collecting rocks and fossils: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. You can use the rocks and fossils you collect to make crafts or just enjoy looking at them.
24. Building sandcastles: This is a great activity for kids to get dirty and have fun
25. Create confetti with leaves: This is a great way to have fun and help the planet. Create natural colorful confetti with these paper punchers.
26. Create organic compost: Learning how to create compost is a great way to teach kids about recycling and helping the environment.
27. Nature education: Education is key to understanding and respecting nature. Look for opportunities to participate in local environmental education programs.
28. Butterfly watching: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. It’s a great way to learn about the life cycle of butterflies and their impact on the environment
29. Ant watching: This is a great activity for kids of all ages. It’s a great way to learn about the life cycle of ants and their impact on the environment
30. Make smores: Enjoy the nice warm fire and make some tasty treats with gram crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows
Here are some Fire safety tips:
- Clean up around the campfire circle.
- Create a barrier around the campfire.
- Don’t allow playing with the fire.
- Explain Stop Drop and Roll technique
- Supervise your children.
You can also do these other nature activities:
Activities are endless when it comes to nature. There are so many things you can do outside whether you’re by yourself, with friends, or with family. Get creative and come up with your ideas too! Go explore and have fun!
- Plant a tree
- Collect leaves and acorns in the fall
- Make Nature bracelets
- Go sledding or build a snowman in the winter
- Weather observation
- Play in the rain
- Look for rainbows after it rains
- Collect rainwater
- Search for four-leaf clovers:
FAQs
Why is nature important?
Allowing children to learn and appreciate nature is important for many reasons. It provides us with food, shelter, and oxygen. Nature also helps to purify the air and water. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Additionally, nature can help us to appreciate the value of life and our place in the world.
How do you explore nature?
Exploring nature can be done in many ways. You can go for a walk or hike and take pictures of things you see. You can also look for bugs, listen to the birds, or try to identify different types of plants. If you are near water, you can go fishing or swimming. There are endless possibilities! Just get outside and start exploring!
How do you make nature fun for kids?
Kids already have a great imagination, so to make it fun for them while they are outside, let them use it! Let them climb a tree and pretend they are on a pirate ship. Race to see who can collect the most leaves. Or, have a picnic and make it a game to see who can spot the most animals. The options are endless! Just make sure everyone is having fun and being safe.
What is nature craft?
Nature craft is any craft that uses materials found in nature, such as leaves, sticks, rocks, or flowers. Materials are at no cost! Nature crafts can be simple or complex, and they are a great way to spend time outdoors while being creative.
What is a nature-based activity?
A nature-based activity is any activity that takes place in nature or uses materials from nature. Nature-based activities can be active, like hiking or biking, or they can be passive, like bird watching or stargazing. There are endless possibilities! Just get outside and start exploring!
Some great advice that busy moms can do is pick one or two nature activities and plan them out a week before, and write them down on the calendar or put an alarm reminder on your phone. Prepare ahead of time so that you can actually get to do .these activities and have that special time with your kids.
Each of these activities can help kids to explore the world around them, get some exercise, and have fun. Do you have any favorite nature outdoor activities for kids? Share them in the comments below!
