How To Keep Your Family Interested In Nature

The outside world is so beautiful; from forests to vast open parks, from the coast to the mountains, there is really something for everyone to enjoy. However, convincing the whole family of this can be tough, especially when the temptation of the television or smartphone is always there. We hope that these suggestions for keeping your family interested in nature will encourage them to spend some time outside.

 

Free stock image by Suzy Hazelwood of a lily flower on a pond from Pexels

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels


Get Dirty 

There aren't many chances for kids to get truly filthy these days. Most of the time, parents would like their children to be as neat and tidy as possible. However, it is part of the fun of being outside; it is filthy, mucky, muddy, and unexpected. You can go out looking pristine and return home looking like a mud creature, but the key thing to remember is that this is normal. It means you (and everyone else) have been witnessing nature at its most raw and magnificent.

So, tell the kids that it's acceptable (and even expected) for them to become filthy and that they can therefore explore in whatever way they choose. So what if it means stomping through puddles and scaling moss-covered trees that shouldn’t be a problem. They’ll enjoy themselves much more without restrictions.

 

Try Geocaching 

Geocaching is a fun hobby in which you search for 'treasure' using GPS signals. You can download an app for your smartphone (or, if you're really into it, purchase specialised gadgets instead), and then follow the path until you locate the cache. It might be carefully concealed, but there will always be hints so you should be able to find it. Once you have found it, write your name on the log page, re-hide it in the same location, and go on to the next.

Geocaching is an excellent way to get even the most hesitant family members outdoors. This is basically walking with a purpose, and you could always attempt to give out rewards for finding the most caches. When you get the hang of geocaching, you may even want to hide your own caches; the excitement of seeing that someone has discovered it is just as exciting as the search itself. You will, however, need to maintain it, which will include going outdoors again.

 

Make A Home Nature Reserve 

If you don’t want to stray too far from home but you still want to get your children outside to breathe in some fresh air for a little while, you can turn your garden into a private nature reserve by adding a pond. 

Ponds attract all kinds of nature, including:

Frogs and tadpoles

Birds

Newts

Dragonflies

You may even add fish to your pond to make it even more unique. Children will enjoy interacting with the animals surrounding the pond, and by learning about it together, you can help them understand more about nature. To get the most of your garden and the life around the pond, you’ll need bird-watching binoculars, and you can take a look at this buying guide to find the best pair for your needs. If you have smaller children, be sure to include appropriate safety measures so that everyone can enjoy it. 

This is a collaborative post by another author.

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