6 Creative Ways Kids Learn to Love Outdoor Play

In today’s digital age, families are spending more time inside and less exploring nature. Studies show that kids who spend time outside have better overall health and fitness levels, report better vision, less stress and depression, and are more likely to have good social skills. 

The National Wildlife Federation also reports that “Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.” As kids spend more and more time watching TV and playing video games on a daily basis “Only about 10 percent of kids say they are spending time outdoors every day.” 

If your kids fall into the 90% of children that don’t get out every day, or you just need some creative, new ways to encourage outdoor play, here are some fun ways to change that.

1. Become a nature artist

Kids will begin to notice the beauty in nature if they are observing it from an artist’s standpoint. Bring the easel and art supplies out to the backyard and have the kids paint or draw what  they see around them. Let the kids try their hand at photography while exploring nature by photographing plants, insects, and the landscape around them. Later make a scrapbook or frame their masterpieces.

2. Get dirty

Dress the kids in play clothes and give them permission to enjoy nature even if they get a little dirty suggests Julie Keller, mother of three.  Allow kids to dig for worms, lift rocks to find insects, and try fishing. Teach kids about gardening while letting them plant flowers, vegetables, and other plants. Mom Ally McDaniel says “My four year old loves to help plant, dig in dirt, and water the garden. We look for worms, bugs, and baby snakes.” According to Children and Nature, kids that grow up planting and gardening develop a lifelong positive relationship with plants and trees. 

3. Get comfortable

Collect some old pillows and blankets, bring them outside, and get comfortable. Darcy King, mother of two, says “I teach my kids to enjoy nature by enjoying it myself. Stop and admire flowers, sunsets, scenery, and spend time outside.” Simply spending time in the great outdoors can help kids grow to love nature. Observe your surroundings and talk about what you see and hear. Read a book, take a nap, and observe the cloud shapes. A great book for encouraging creativity when looking at cloud shapes is It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw.

4. Have a picnic

Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal outside after a hike, at a local park, or even in your own backyard. Without the distractions of the normal surroundings of your home, conversation will be easier and more fun.

5. Treasure hunt

Allow kids to take their time as you are on a nature walk. Do you see any flowers, insects, or birds you have not noticed before? If the park allows, collect treasures as you walk the trails. Have the children pick up interesting sticks, rocks, leaves, or anything of interest. “We make it into a game. When we go on walks we collect small things to put in our nature jars. One time we even did a scavenger hunt after dark with a flashlight, which was a big hit.” Says Rachael Kennedy, mother of five.

6. Campout

Camping is a great way to spend time in the outdoors as a family. A family campout, whether at a local park or in your backyard, encourages family bonding time and helps kids “unplug” from their electronics and enjoy the fresh air.

One of the most important things to remember when you are trying to teach your kids is to model it yourself. “We try to get out and explore together. I try to just let them be in nature and really experience what exists.” says Sara Sinani, mother of three boys. Get involved, show the kids by example that nature is fun to explore and has great health benefits. If kids grow up spending time outside, they are sure to develop a desire to spend more time outdoors as they grow.

Looking for nature adventures where you don't have to be the guide? Check our Things To Do calendar, where you'll find family and children's nature programs at Shaw Nature Reserve, The Butterfly House, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Missouri Botanical Garden, Powder Valley Nature Center, local parks, The Magic House, and even the Saint Louis Science Center.