Let’s get some things out of the way: You’re doing your best and we’re not here to judge anyone for their family’s technology use. But if you’re like us, you’re probably hoping to provide your little ones with a childhood full of wonder and outdoor memories, instilling in them a lifelong love of nature. As the great David Attenborough said, kids need to first be familiar with nature before they’re able to understand and protect it. Here are some ideas that will show them all the creativity, independence, and delight that the natural world has to offer—while, yes, providing compelling alternatives to screen time.
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1. Kid-friendly herbalism
While a full-fledged vegetable patch can be a big undertaking, an herb garden is much more accessible: it can be big or small, indoors or outdoors, and requires less maintenance. Once you have a few flourishing plants, you can guide your child in experimenting with different herbal iced teas, drying herbs as gifts, or adding them to the family dinner.
2. Make tropical rainforest popsicles
Did you know that many of the fruits we love come from tropical ecosystems? Bananas, mangoes, pineapple, papaya, are all examples of tropical fruits. Farms working with the Rainforest Alliance grow these fruits in ways that are responsible and sustainable. Be sure you look for our little green frog seal when you shop.
Recipe:
- Blend fruit with juice, milk, or yogurt together
- Pour into popsicle molds
- Freeze overnight
- Enjoy!
3. Go wild with chaos gardening
Chaos gardening is a fun way to invite biodiversity to your backyard with stress-free, sensory fun. By mixing a native wildflower seed mix, potting soil, and a few other easy-to-find ingredients, you can make your very own seed balls. Just throw them on bare soil and watch them green up your space! With regular watering, you and your little ones can monitor their progress and identify what sprouts to life. Seed balls make great DIY gifts, too.
4. Cultivate imagination and reading skills with nature books
Under One Rock is a great book for smaller kids that shows what lurks underneath rocks in our yards and parks. For older kids, the classic, Thoreau-inspired My Side of the Mountain has turned countless city kids into lifelong nature lovers. Ask your local librarian for more suggestions!
5. Host a bio-blitz
Send your kids out into their neighborhood or local park to do a bioblitz (or scavenger hunt) to observe and record every plant and animal they come across in a specific area. Repeat this activity at different points in the summer, and at different times of the day. Your child can create a local wildlife field guide, providing information and their own illustrations. They can even make copies to hand out to the other kids and adults in your neighborhood!
6. Start an annual nature journal
Sketch local plants and animals, add photos, press flowers (place them between the pages, close the book, and weigh down with something heavy overnight), or create some leaf rubbing art. This is a great way to record changes through the seasons—and remember all the outdoor fun you’ve had in a year.
7. Go on a sound safari
Make a game out of using just one of your senses to explore the world around you. What kind of sounds do you hear from nature? Do they come from bugs, birds, or the wind? How many different things do you hear? Try this at different times of day and notice what changes.
The options for nature-inspired fun are endless. Whether it’s a short walk after dinner or a weekend camping adventure, we hope this list helps you and your family cut down on screen time and build lasting memories.
