Sandi Schwartz
Help Kids Connect with Nature
Get Creative Make art outside. Nature is filled with beauty that sparks creativity. Why not enjoy being creative while spending time outside! Here are project ideas: • Let children decorate the sidewalk or patio with chalk. • Put art supplies such as an easel, paint and paint brushes in the backyard or balcony and encourage kids to paint or draw flowers, trees and animals they see (or imagine). • Help children collect nature items from the ground like leaves, sticks and pinecones. Provide materials such as paper, cardboard, glue, string and crayons to make nature artwork. Get inspiration from the Earth Day Flower Art project at www .sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/ crafts-for-kids/earth-day-flower-art.
It is of paramount importance that parents help instill a love for the natural world in children. Why? Because we as a society need at least some of them to grow up to become responsible stewards of the Earth. In order to establish an appreciation for something, we need to spend time with it—or in this case, IN it— the outdoors. In the spirit of Earth Day, let’s help kids get connected to nature so they learn to love, appreciate and develop respect for the world around them. Spending time in nature is beneficial to everyone’s health and well-being. Research studies in recent years have shown that it improves focus and attention, and reduces blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension. For kids especially, spending time in nature calms them, reducing feelings of stress,
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anxiety and anger, and provides a break from staring at screens, which takes a toll on physical and mental health. If kids are athletic, have them play outdoor sports. If they are artistic, consider outdoor projects like nature photography, collages, drawing and painting. If they love to cook, start a family garden and cook your produce together. Here are more fun ways for kids to connect with nature.
Go Exploring There are countless places in San Diego County to explore the outdoors: parks, lagoons, farms, nature centers, hiking trails, botanical and sculpture gardens, fountains, rivers and lakes. With 70 miles of coastline, consider heading to a nearby beach to enjoy sights and sounds of the waves. Even a quick walk around your neighborhood can lead to nature-filled moments.
Use San Diego Family’s free, printable Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt to help keep an eye out for foliage, wildlife, insects and more. Find it at www.sandiegofamily.com/ things-to-do/out-about/naturescavenger-hunt-for-kids.
Play Nature Games Children need unstructured free play to inspire imagination and explore their surroundings. You can also try these fun nature games with the family. • Play the cloud spotting game. Ask everyone what they see in the clouds, such as animals, shapes, people or other objects. Take it one step further and challenge each other to create a
