How to Teach Kids About the Outdoors

Teaching children about the outdoors at an early age can improve children's observation skills and promote early environmental awareness.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Get outside! You don't have to live in the country to enjoy the outdoors. Even if you live in an inner-city, get out to a park, a nearby pond, river or other place in which you might see green plants, flowers or wildlife.

2. Observe what you see. Notice all the living things around you. Make lists. Discuss what things you see and whether or not they are living or non-living things.

3. Plant a seed. Take any old dried bean. Put some potting soil in a clear plastic cup. Plant your seed, water it, put it in a sunny location and watch it grow! If you happen to have a backyard or some other place outdoors, replant your seed outside and watch it flower and produce!

4. Conserve water. Teach your child about water conservation. Discuss the importance of water for all living things.

5. Learn about wildlife. Choose one type of wildlife to observe and/or learn about. Borrow books, rent DVDs, and draw pictures of this animal. Take a trip to see this animal in its own habitat.

6. Recycle. Discuss recycling, and why it is important for the environment and the outdoors. Enlist your child's help. Take a field trip to a local recycling center.

Tips & Warnings

• Children learn through what they see their role models doing. Do what you can in your own home to show reverence for the outdoors. Recycle, discuss how you can help wildlife, and brainstorm ideas on what you can do to help the environment.