With the transition to remote learning, families are spending a lot more time in front of screens – joining zoom meetings, participating in virtual story times, and figuring out math together online. We can all feel exhausted after a few hours of lessons and work. One way of coping with this new way of life is for families to head outside. Spending time outside as a family can help everyone not only move their body but also reset their outlook on the day. During our current situation it is becoming increasingly clear that outside time is even more critical for our mental and physical health
Luckily, no matter where you are, nature is right outside your doorstep. It’s also visible from your window and perhaps inside your house (think-ladybugs). While we are lucky to live a short drive to many trails and nearby forests, here are some activities you can do right around your home with your children:
Sit-Spots: A simple outdoor practice that not only provides the opportunity to observe nearby nature, but also allows the chance to slow down and relax is starting a sit-spot practice. Pick a spot in your backyard, front step, balcony, or a nearby natural area to sit for twenty minutes every day. If twenty minutes is too long for your little ones, start slow. Choose a spot that is easy to get to so that the practice takes hold. The longer your sit-spot lasts, the more likely you will encounter your animal neighbors. If you sit in the same spot every day, you may start noticing the subtle changes of the season. Try it at different times of day. Your sit-spot time is a great chance to use a nature journal to draw or write what you are noticing.
Color Search: Make your daily walks more exciting by adding a color hunt. How many colors can you find? You can try to search for a rainbow, or even pick some crayons out of a hat and try to find those colors in nature. How many different shades of green can you find? Or can you find something the color of your eyes, your hair, or your jacket? What is the brightest color you can find? You can also try this inside each room of your house. This is a great way to test your observation skills.
Make Friends with a Tree: Pick out a special tree and watch that tree throughout the year. Look to see if you notice how the buds change during the spring, mark the day when it leafs out, do the leaves change color over the seasons, what lives in its bark, and what sound does it make when the wind blows. You might even consider drawing your tree throughout the year. If you feel bold, give your tree a hug.
ABC Walk: While on a walk or in your backyard, try to find something in nature that starts with each letter of the alphabet. You can even challenger yourself to do this in ABC order. You might have to get creative with some of your finds but that will be half the fun.
Scouting Games: A good scout is quiet and stealthy. Practice your scouting skills by trying to sneak up on an animal. See how close you can get to a robin or squirrel. Sit by a bird feeder and see how close the chickadees come. Will a chickadee eat seed from your hand? If you have a dog or cat, you can even try to sneak up on your pet. Sitting and moving quietly takes practice, but these skills can greatly improve your chances of hearing and seeing wildlife. Try these things along with your child. They will think you are the coolest.
Rock Collection: Use an empty egg carton to create your own rock collection. Look carefully to find just the right rocks. Try to find rocks that fit into each compartment, and put only one rock in each compartment. Can you find a bumpy rock, a smooth one, a rock with a stripe all the way around it, one shaped like a heart, or even one that glitters in the sunlight? Maybe you will even find one that will be your lucky rock.
For more ideas on what to do outside with children visit the Harris Center’s website at www.harriscenter.org and look at our regularly updated Go Wild posts and then go outside and enjoy!
Karen Rent is a teacher-naturalist for the Harris Center.