1 minute read
Get outdoors
Capture an “Outdoor Fix” for your family
by Cari Draft
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Summer’s almost here! You remember your own childhood, and how often you played outside, had a makeshift tree fort, or a simple leaf collection, right?
Are you thinking you’re too busy to foster that connection to nature in your own children?
Kids today spend seven hours more on academics and two hours less on sports and outdoor activities per week than they did 20 years ago. Yet we know that children who spend more time in “green spaces” have lower stress levels, more success in school, and fewer ADHD symptoms.
Here are three easy ways to inspire that connection, help your family get more fresh air, and stay healthier in the process:
Plant a garden (no matter how small)
Besides getting fresh air and exercise, kids who garden eat more vegetables! To make it fun for everyone, choose easy, hardy crops, like radishes, cucumbers, and squash. Check http://theartofsimple.net/garden-with-your-kids for great ideas on inspiring children, with limited resources.
Promote outdoor play -- every day
The National Wildlife Federation urges parents to establish an outdoor “green hour” for kids. Think about family picnics, bike rides, or even just an evening walk. Post a daily checklist on your refrigerator and include weekend bonus activities like staying up later to look for specific constellations in a clear night sky. Find sky maps at http://www.kidsastronomy.com
Meet the critters
Plant bright flowers near your window to attract butterflies, and help kids make their own bird feeders with easy instructions found at http://happyhooligans.ca/32-homemade-bird-feeders. Keep binoculars handy and keep a journal of what types of bird families you’ve met.
The bottom line is that we have to put forth some effort if we’re going to inspire our kids to have to same connection to nature that many of us did. It doesn’t take much energy and the benefits are endless!
Cari Draft is a Private Personal Trainer and Nutritional Coach who makes “house calls,” and is also the owner and founder of EcoTrek Fitness, the original outdoor group workouts in West Michigan, including the Lansing area. Learn more at EcoTrekFitness.com.
