Spending time outside is fun and healthy for the whole family, and is a great way to relieve stress, all while practicing safe physical distancing. Here are a few ideas for spending time out of doors this summer–and beyond:
- Have a nature scavenger hunt in your backyard or during a walk, using multiple senses. Can you find pine cones, a spider web, 3 kinds of insects, a water source, dog or wildlife tracks? Can you hear 3 bird calls, the wind, the rain, an insect? Can you smell flowers, rain, fresh cut grass, mud? Is there wind, and if it does, does it feel warm or cool on your skin?Do something outside that you’d normally do inside–read, have a picnic, play board or card games, play music, practice yoga or tai chi, sing, make a craft or do a hobby. Unplug and leave your devices inside!
- Drive to another neighborhood and go for a walk there, and observe. Is the wildlife the same as in your neighborhood, or do you see different birds and mammals? How about the trees, grass, and flowers?
- Build paper airplanes with 3 different designs and fly them outside. Which one flies further? Can you tweak them to make them fly further?
- Go outside on a clear night and observe the moon and stars. How many constellations can you spot? Can you find any planets? What phase is the moon in? Watch for a shooting star!
- For lots more fun outside, check out Generation Wild’s list of 100 Things To Do Before You’re 12 (and actually great for all ages!): https://www.generationwild.com/the-list. Check off as many as you can this summer!