Nature Canada

4 Ways to Celebrate International Family Day

Did you know that today, May 15th, is the United Nations’ International Day of Families? In fact, May 15th has been observed worldwide as a day to celebrate families – by any definition – since 1993. You may have to work or otherwise be apart from your family for at least a portion of today, but with the Victoria Day long weekend falling on this weekend in Canada, why not celebrate Int’l Family Day by getting out into nearby nature with your family?

Here are four simple activities you can do to get out into nearby nature with your family this weekend:

1. Plant your garden

Spring is finally here in most of Canada, so why not take some time to plant your garden this weekend? Choose plants that are native to your region for the best results. Mix nectar-producing plants with others that add ‘structure’ to your garden, keeping in mind that your garden can also be valuable habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.   Put out some nectar-producing plants on your balcony if you don’t have a backyard, or look into volunteering at your local school or community garden if you don’t have direct access to outdoor space. Wherever you garden, put yourself on the map using the YardMap Canada portal hosted by Nature Canada.

2. Go for a walk in nearby nature

Take a walk through your neighbourhood and listen for how many different types of ‘nature sounds’ you hear, like birds singing, flies buzzing or tree leaves blowing in the breeze. We often forget to experience nature through our ears, and when you really pay attention you might be amazed at how many nature different sounds there really are where you live. You can also keep track of different types of plants, birds, bugs, trees or any other ‘natural things’ you encounter during your walk – you don’t need to know the names, just look for visual cues that make one leaf or bird look different from another one. Tally up your list when you finish, and see which member of your family has highest number of ‘nearby nature’ observations!

3. Make your backyard – and your NatureHood – bird-friendly

While many of us feed birds at home, there are numerous other actions we can take, and things we can avoid doing, that also help birds. Check out Nature Canada’s tips for making your backyard bird-friendly and see if there’s anything you can do to help birds. And don’t stop at your backyard – consider sharing these tips with neighbours and businesses in your neigbourhoor to help them be good neighbours in the NatureHood

4. Camp out in the backyard

Why not? If your backyard is big enough, and safe enough, set up a tent and camp out! It’s a great way to observe how nature comes alive at night!

Enjoy International Family Day, and tell us how you spent it at naturecanada.ca!

Want to Help?

Canada’s wilderness is the world’s envy. It’s our duty to keep our true north strong and green.

Donate