Friends of Youth and Nature
  • Home
    • Benefits of Kids in Nature
    • Environmental Education
    • Report Card >
      • 2019
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
    • Future Plans
    • Strategic Plan
  • Resources
    • Providers
    • EE Resources - Creative Ideas
    • Climate Solutions
    • Outdoor Jobs for Teens
    • New Need Gear? >
      • Delta County Gear Rentals
      • Mesa County Gear Rentals
      • Montrose County Gear Rentals
    • Maps
  • Funding
    • Funding
    • Funding Partners
    • Scholarships
    • Bus & Projects
    • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • OUTDOOR NEWS BLOG
Tips to help you connect your family to nature!

Keeping Your Family Connected With Nature by Abram Herman

4/20/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now. Your whole family may be feeling the stress caused by changes in your normal routine, not being able to see the people you care about, and the stress and uncertainty that comes with economic instability and social change.
 
Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay connected with the calming influence of the natural world. But in these times of physical distancing, how can you and your family get out in nature while staying safe? Here are a few ideas for maintaining your mental and physical health in the outdoors turning adversity into opportunity during these strange times.
 
Explore Somewhere New
A lot of people are home from work right now and the usual standby trails and natural areas are often more crowded, even on usually-quiet weekdays and off-times. This is a great opportunity to find a new, out-of-the-way place to explore the great outdoors. Is there some tucked away trail or park (near home) that you’ve been meaning to explore, but just never made the trip? Make that your destination for the day!
 
Remember, we shouldn’t be traveling outside of our home areas at this time to avoid spreading COVID-19 to other places, but if there’s a trail within an hour or so of your home base, that’s a reasonable effort to make in order to get away from the crowds and find somewhere new to explore. You can find some of these trailheads on Friends of Youth and Nature’s website under map resources: https://www.friendsofyouthandnature.org/maps.html
 
Find the Hidden Gems
Nature is everywhere, and even that overgrown open space near your home can hold a lot of interest and educational opportunity. Take the kids out for a grasshopper survey - how many different kinds can you find? What’s the biggest one, or the smallest one, and why might they be different sizes? Which one is the most common? Why do you think that might be?
 
Take a small shovel and dig into the dirt to see what you find. Are there worms, or pill bugs? Are you finding more in one place than you find somewhere else? Why do you think that is?
 
How many different kinds of grass or plants in general can you find in the field? Do some have interesting smells? Are there certain plants that seem to have a certain kind of insect, and why do you think the insects like that plant?
 
Whatever you come up with, you’ll be surprised at your childrens’ imagination, and how much interest and entertainment can be found in a seemingly overgrown, “boring” plot of grass and shrubs.
 
Get Out in the Sunshine
It’s no secret that a little sunshine can really turn around your mood. With a lot of stress in the world right now, make sure you take time to just simply get outside (and get away from the news headlines and computer!). Put on some sunscreen, and go out with the family into your backyard, even if it’s just for thirty minutes or an hour. Reading in the sunshine is one of life’s little pleasures. Are you home-schooling right now? Take your lessons outside for some fresh air. Plant a garden and discover more about plant life cycles. Throw a ball and see who can create the highest arc. Play fetch with the dog.  Which item does “Fido” like to fetch the best? Wrestle in the grass; is it warmer or cooler at ground level? Be a big kid, have fun while you learn, and enjoy the free time you might have right now! Now’s a time to make memories with your family, and help create some positive experiences that will last a lifetime. 
 
It’s too easy right now to stay glued to the news, watching and dissecting every little development. Pile that on top of being cooped up inside, and away from the friends and family you normally see, and you have a recipe for stress, strife, and negativity. Get outside! Have fun! Make the effort to maintain your connection with the natural world throughout this time, and your whole family will be happier as a result. It’s up to you
.
2 Comments
Love Smith link
12/12/2021 02:22:50 pm

Great article! Thank you for sharing this informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
Lovely Valdez link
12/12/2021 02:27:34 pm

This is a very informative—edifying article to all. Thanks a lot! Continue to post!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
     Blogs for Winter!

    Snow by any Other Name (12/2021)

    Bundle up for Winter Fun (12/2019)

    Wanted: A Few Young  Snow Rangers (12/2020)

    Keeping your family connected to nature (4/20)


    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Adaptive Sports
    Astronomy
    Backyard Bucket List
    Birding With Kids
    Camp Ideas
    Earth Day
    Fishing With Kids
    Gardening
    Girl Scouts
    Hiking
    Hippotherapy
    Nature Benefits
    Nature Games
    Nature Learning
    Plants
    Water
    Winter

    Archive

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019

Picture
Picture
FRIENDS OF YOUTH AND NATURE
P.O. Box 634
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
friendsofyouthandnature@gmail.com
Picture

  • Home
    • Benefits of Kids in Nature
    • Environmental Education
    • Report Card >
      • 2019
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
    • Future Plans
    • Strategic Plan
  • Resources
    • Providers
    • EE Resources - Creative Ideas
    • Climate Solutions
    • Outdoor Jobs for Teens
    • New Need Gear? >
      • Delta County Gear Rentals
      • Mesa County Gear Rentals
      • Montrose County Gear Rentals
    • Maps
  • Funding
    • Funding
    • Funding Partners
    • Scholarships
    • Bus & Projects
    • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • OUTDOOR NEWS BLOG