How to Get Children Interested in the Outdoors

Children need to get outside these days. Here are some simple ways to pique their interest in the outdoors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• plastic container or glass jar
• small paper bags
• construction paper and glue sticks
• binoculars

1. Ask the child what they are interested in seeing outside.

2. Allow the child to guide the excursion. This will get them actively involved.

3. Give them a container or jar to collect non-dangerous insects like ladybugs, pill bugs or ants. Make sure they release the bugs later. They can observe the insects close up. They will learn to love and appreciate nature and the outdoors.

4. Give the child, or children, a paper bag and ask them to collect leaves, acorns, pine cones, twigs or flowers. This allows the child to touch and feel nature and experience the outdoors.

5. Take the nature objects the child collected and have them create pictures or collages on construction paper when they get home. Pine cones can be arranged in a bowl or basket for decoration.

6. Have a question and answer session with the child. Ask them what they enjoyed most of all and why.

7. Plan for another outing. Always ask the child what they would like to see or where they would like to go. This keeps them as an active participant.

8. Display their pictures, collages or arrangements proudly. The child will love seeing a bit of the outdoors indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the location of the outdoor trip is age-appropriate
• Always make sure there are no dangers around such as wild animals or snakes
• If the trip is during hot weather, always bring plenty of water and sunblock
• Bring along a jacket or umbrella if it looks like rain