Help Kids Connect with Nature

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,

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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 story about the cloud images or to paint a picture of what they see.

• Watch for wildlife. Look for birds, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, insects and even friendly neighborhood cats. See if you can spot different types of birds; consider using the Audubon Bird Guide app to look them up.

Take a Pet Break

Pets can have a profound impact on well-being by reducing stress and anxiety and boosting mood. Pets offer comfort and companionship, provide a healthy distraction from screens, and increase social interaction and exercise. If you have a family pet, make time for pet breaks to give kids a happiness boost. Petting a furry animal or even watching fish swim around are soothing activities. If you don’t have your own pet, look into volunteering at Helen Woodward Animal Center or San Diego Humane Society to help with the animals.

Do Citizen Science Projects

Kids love being scientists and discovering new things outdoors. Suggest they collect rocks, look for bugs, or study the night stars. Citizen Science Month is in April. Sign up to do citizen science projects, volunteering to collect scientific data. Kids gain unique STEM experience as they directly help the scientific community. Check out the following resources for available projects:

www.CitizenScience.gov

www.SciStarter.org/ CitizenScienceMonth

www.Zooniverse.org

Calming, awe-inspiring nature activities are beneficial to the health and happiness of kids, and help them develop an appreciation for the world around them. So, take time as a family to disconnect from technology and get outdoors.

Sandi Schwartz is a journalist, mother of two, and the author of Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer. Learn more at www.ecohappinessproject.com.

April 2022 • SanDiegofamily.com • 21