10 Ideas for Teaching Kids About Connecting With Nature
Do you love spending time in nature and want to pass on that same enthusiasm to your kids? Whether you’re considering booking private boat rides San Diego for your family or are just searching for some whale watching things to do with kids ideas, there are several fun ways you can teach your kids to truly connect with nature.
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1. Take Your Kids out on a Whale Watching Trip
If it’s currently whale watching season Southern California, you have the perfect opportunity to give your kids a meaningful experience with nature. Try chartering a boat to go whale watching and interact with the animals from afar.
2. Read Books About the Natural World
Kids tend to be more interested in subjects they know a bit about already, so you can easily stir your kids’ interest in nature by reading informative books to them. Try pulling out nature-themed books at bedtime.
3. Take Your Kid Outside To Play
Getting enough outdoor playtime can help your kid form a bond with nature for life. Make sure you frequently:
Go for a walk
Go for a light nature hike
Visit a national park
4. Encourage Kids To Interact With Their Surroundings
In order to truly connect with nature, kids may need to get a little messy. Encourage your children to interact with their surroundings, and don’t worry if they get a bit dirty during playtime.
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5. Institute a Weekly No-Technology Day
If your kids are constantly glued to their phones, they won’t be able to truly enjoy the great outdoors. Try instituting a no-technology day in your home at least once a week in order to encourage more time spent outdoors.
6. Answer Your Child’s Nature Questions
As they learn more about nature, your kids may have several questions. Do your best to answer and respond with thought-provoking questions back in order to stoke their interest and creativity.
7. Get Family Exercise Outdoors
Getting the whole family moving is a great way to help your kids enjoy the outdoors while spending quality time together. Ask your family if they’d like to:
Go swimming in an outdoor pool
Go rowing on a local lake
Try yoga and stretching in your backyard
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8. Watch Nature Documentaries
If you want to make your kids’ screen time as educational as possible, why not turn on some nature documentaries? Whether your kids prefer to watch domestic animal documentaries, landscape videos or wildlife safaris, you’re sure to keep them entertained.
9. Go Camping on the Weekends
Instead of staying in all weekend, try hitting the local campsite. Your kids can help pitch a tent, start a campfire and go on short walks and hikes throughout the surrounding area.
10. Have Your Kids Join a Nature-Centric After-School Club
Finally, you may want to check whether your kids’ schools offer nature-related extracurricular activities. For example, your child may be able to join a gardening club, arbor club or similar after-school activity.
If you want your kids to develop a deep connection with nature, regularly engaging them in fun outdoor activities is key. Try out these ten easy ideas to teach them about the importance of nature today!
**This is a collaborative post.