How to Encourage Children to Explore Outdoors

How to Encourage Children to Explore Outdoors

Not only do children love spending time outdoors, they also thrive while doing it. It comes naturally to most children to be curious about nature, but some might need a little guidance and encouragement to feel adventurous. There are also lots of fun ways that you can motivate your children to head out and experience the wonderful, wild world around us.

• Head Out on Family Adventures

One of the easiest, and perhaps most fun ways, to encourage a love for the outdoors is to plan and head out on lots of outdoorsy family adventures. You can go just for the day or a few hours even by going on day trips or family hikes somewhere that’s not too far away. Don’t forget to pack a picnic – eating outside is a great way to connect with nature. Or you can go for longer and explore the wild further by camping which is something that most children love!

• Have Tools and Equipment Available

Let your kids become little nature detectives by giving them the tools and equipment they need to investigate things further. The Nature Detective Set from Hape is a lovely little set with a 4x magnifying glass and a two-tone whistle – both made from sustainable bamboo and Green PE (plant plastic derived from sugarcane). Both toys have a handy wrist strap so that they can easily be carried without getting lost or be strapped to a backpack when not in use. The magnifying glass is perfect for getting a closer look at leaves, flowers or bugs to learn more about them and the whistle can be used to alert friends or family that you’ve found something interesting, without scaring wildlife away. The perfect toys for young explorers!

• Make Your Garden a Place to Explore

If you have a garden where you live, this is a great opportunity to help nurture your children’s love for the outdoors. Make your garden a place to explore and connect with nature. Plant flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables together, look after a compost and take a closer look at the wildlife. You can help look after birds, bugs and other wildlife by planting certain flowers or adding things like bird baths and bird feeders to your garden. You children will love seeing them visit!

Features a gifted Nature Detective Set from Hape.