• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

52 Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get Families Closer to Nature

Outdoor activities for kidsIt’s summer vacation, and one thing parents often hear from children used to being stimulated by school all year is, “I’m bored!”.  Personally, I am never bored, so I have little compassion when I hear my daughter issue this utterance, but I have found a new book that I think will help her overcome the doldrums. Let’s Go Outside!: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature is a great resource for bored children.

Just as I have little understanding of boredom, I also never find myself needing an activity while experiencing nature beyond hiking and observing; however, children are a different breed. They sometimes need help focusing their energy.  Author Jennifer Ward provides 52 outdoor activities.  From “Playground for Poets” to “Five Fine Forts”, the summer boredom crisis is solved (and these activities are limited to warm summer months).  Furthermore, these games and projects are designed for children ages 8-12.  Here’s an example:

Scavengers ‘r’ us:

Get your hunt on!  This activity is a variation of the traditional scavenger hunt with a focus on nature. Get your kids outdoors to seek and explore. This type of scavenger hunt is the perfect way to get your kids connected with the natural world.

THE LIST

  • Find something a bird would use in a nest.
  • Find something a squirrel might like for lunch.
  • Find a rough rock.
  • Find a smooth pebble.
  • Find a leaf with a pointy tip. (Caution children to avoid plants with three tips on their leaves, as they could be poison ivy.)
  • Find something yellow that grows in nature.
  • Find something smaller than your thumbnail…
  • One thing I like about the excerpt of the scavenger hunt list is they way it makes children think.  Children have to contemplate what would a bird use for a nest or a squirrel might want for lunch, rather than simply saying find an acorn.  In addition, when children bring their treasures home, you can ask them to explain their choices, as well as return them to their original location.

    Let’s Go Outside! has a lot of great ideas to help children have fun and connect with nature!

    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • Print
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • More
    • WhatsApp
    • Tumblr
    • Reddit
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe!

    « Kick This: Another Pointless Device for the Paranoid Parent
    Extreme Male Theory: Chemicals in Plastics Cause Autism »

    Trackbacks

    1. the {upcycled & recycled} NWF’s Children’s Magazine: Wild Animal Baby | Recycle Your Day says:
      October 15, 2010 at 8:11 am

      […] out NWF’s site and sign up for free activities, crafts and family […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Search Content

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter


    About Eco Child’s Play

    Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

    Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

    Contact Eco Child’s Play

    Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

    Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

    More from the archives!

    Children's Mental Health Disorders Cost US $247 Billion a Year

    A Handmade Doll

    Can Baseball be Eco-Friendly?

    MaraNatha Nut Butter and Yoga Give Away: We Have a Winner

    Good News: Nike Acts to Protect the Amazon and the Climate

    cbd salve joy organics

    CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

    wama hemp underwear

    The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

    Information

    • About & Contact
    • Archive
    • Blog
    • Consulting Services
    • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
    • Privacy Policy

    5 Green Products: Rubberwood Toys to Wooden Doll Rocker

    Green Back to School: Avoid the Antibacterial, Triclosan Hand Soap

    Hank D and the Bee: Rebranding Bees

    Petitioning Pink Ribbons

    Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Toxic Water Town

    Popular Categories

    • Breastfeeding
    • Health News
    • Natural Childbirth
    • Parenting
    • Education
    • Product Review
    • Green Toys

    Get our posts via email

    Please stay in touch!

    You might also like to read…

    Disparity in Maternal Care: Medical Dictionary and Medicaid Should Expand to Include Home Birth

    Hank D and the Bee: World Peace?

    Baby feeding made easy with Spuni: Your child’s first spoon

    Want to lose weight? Practice intermittent fasting and mindful eating

    Back to School: Naturally prevent head lice with Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Hair products

    Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

    Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.