Did you know that getting outside to explore nature can improve your child’s emotional and physical health? Today I’m sharing 5 Ways to Explore Nature as a Family this Spring. March 20th marks the first day of spring, so get ready to get out and explore.
5 Ways to Explore Nature as a Family
Exploring nature is such an excellent way to spend time together as a family. We’ve done plenty, but I am always up for more time outdoors. How about you?
This spring or any time of the year, take your kids outdoors to appreciate everything Mother Nature has to offer. These five ways to explore nature as a family will help your family enjoy the outdoors all season long.
Related: 5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Your Kids(Opens in a new browser tab)
Camping is excellent for exploring nature as a family.
Spring is a beautiful time of year to go camping. The mild weather, the gorgeous surroundings, and most importantly, the birds chirping make it perfect for sleeping under the stars at night and enjoying nature during the day. Whether you take your family on an adventure in the woods, at a campground, or in your backyard, a day of camping can help your family connect with nature and with each other. Cast-iron cooking is my favorite part of camping. My second favorite is hanging out in a hammock all by myself.
Bird Watching or Birding
Spring is also a great time to go bird watching because many varieties of birds are busy building nests and laying eggs during this season. To bird watch with your family, you’ll need binoculars to get a closer look at each bird. You can head out into your backyard to see what types of birds live near your home or visit a nature trail for a more diverse choice of birds to watch.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are an excellent way to engage your children while you’re spending time together outside. Make a list of items found in nature – a Maple leaf, caterpillar, or acorn, just to name a few, then challenge your children to find each thing as you hike through the woods. They’ll be engaged throughout the hike, and you can enjoy a little time in the great outdoors with your family.
Our son has been scavenger hunting since we got a scavenger hunt sheet inside a Kids’ Meal from Chick fa la. It has been a fun outdoor activity ever since. I talked more about it here – easy and fun steps to the perfect outdoor family scavenger hunt.
Catching Bugs
The Spring season brings out a variety of insects, making it an excellent time to explore the insect world as a family. Grab an insect net and some jars, and head outside together. Ask your children to look at the ground for crawling bugs like ladybugs, worms, and caterpillars. Or search the sky for flying insects, like butterflies and dragonflies. They can catch the bugs and place them in jars for closer observation – just be sure to set the insects free when they’re finished inspecting.
Make Rock Art
If your family prefers to stay close to home or enjoys crafting more than hiking, there are still fun ways you can enjoy nature together. Search around your yard or the local park for interesting rocks. The best rocks for painting are large and smooth. Take them to your yard, clean them off, and lay them out on some newspaper. Your child will have a blast creating beautiful art on the rocks. You can even use them to decorate your yard or garden after they dry.
Related: Things to Do While Exploring Nature(Opens in a new browser tab)
I hope you get great use from these ways to explore nature as a family. And, don’t forget to look for arrowheads and petrified rocks. These could surely be kid-loving nature items to collect.
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