5 Ways to Get Your Children Interested in Nature
Howard Jeffs, Tour Guide with Wilderness Scotland.
This blog was written by Wilderness Scotland’s Howard Jeffs.
As the next generation of children begin to find their place in the world, how can we teach our youngsters the importance of preserving the planet when it’s facing ruin?
From family camping trips to turning outdoor hikes into educational experiences, there are a number of ways to get your children more involved and interested in nature. In today’s post, our friends from adventure travel company Wilderness Scotland are breaking down easy ways you can help your young ones appreciate the great outdoors.
- Spend a night under the stars
Children will do just about anything to avoid bedtime but, if you’re planning a camping trip, your young ones won’t be able to wait for nightfall. Camping in the great outdoors will place you and your family right in the heart of nature – allowing you to immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside. Help your children to embrace outdoor living by showing them how to safely make a small fire and demonstrating the importance of clearing away any rubbish before you leave a campsite. This way, they can enjoy all that the wilderness has to offer, while doing their bit to preserve the countryside.
- Try a new activity
Thanks to the dramatic increase in technological devices over the last decade, it’s easier than ever for parents to pacify their children with a smartphone or computer device. However, an overreliance on technology can have a negative impact on their development, as well as being mentally damaging in the long term. Kids need fresh air and stimulation – and there’s no better way to combine the two than by getting your family involved in a new outdoor activity. Whether it’s a holiday in Scotland where you can hire a canoe and explore the vast lochs or bison spotting around Canada’s Prince Albert National Park, there’s an opportunity to get active wherever you are in the world.
- Go back to basics
Understanding how to conserve the planet starts with knowing more about Mother Nature. Go back to basics and teach your little ones about different types of trees, flowers, endangered birds and wildlife. Whether you’re taking a day trip or enjoying a summer-long holiday, create games where your children have to spot various families of flora or particular species of wildlife during your stay. This is a great way for your family to bond, as you explore the open countryside together – and it’ll give you a chance to brush up on your knowledge, too!
- Let them take the lead
Children love being given responsibility, so why not let them decide how you spend your time outside? Depending on their ages and the things they enjoy doing, task each child with a part of the day they can take control of and watch them get to work. From building forts using only materials found in nature to deciding when and where to eat lunch, your kids will relish the role reversal – and you’ll welcome the chance to hand over the reins for the day!
- Take a hike
Walking is one of the world’s most underrated exercises, and it’s suitable for people of all ages and abilities. If you’re on a budget, pick a spot on the map, pack a lunch and hit the road. From discovering weird and wonderful wildlife to uncovering hidden picnic spots, you and your children will love learning more about nature – and your walk can be as short or as long as you like!
So, there you have it: 5 ways to get your children interested in nature, keep them entertained and teach them more about the importance of preserving our planet.
