Below is a list of ways to get kids more connected with nature. By no means is it exhaustive but inshaAllah it can help kickstart some quality family time and reconnecting for the sake of Allah.
Ideas for Little Ones:
- Plant a seed and watch it grow
- Helping in the garden
- Short (less than 1 mile), simple nature walks at local parks or trails
- Learning to Identify trees and plants in your immediate area
- Learning to identify common animals and bugs in your immediate area
- Observing and experiencing all sorts of weather
- Collect found nature objects and find a pretty way to display them at home
- Play in the mud!
Ideas for Elementary and Middle School Kids:
- 1-3 mile hikes with varied terrain on nearby trails
- Climb lots of trees
- Family experiences through local nature centers
- Learning to identify common wild plants and animals
- Learning to observe, track and predict weather patterns
- Learning to navigate using the sun and stars
- Learning to read maps and trail directions
- Growing and maintaining a garden plot on their own
- Family camping, fishing, beach, and boating trips
- Keeping a nature journal
- Participate as a family in nearby beach, river, and trail cleanups
- Visit a cave!
Ideas for Tweens, Teens and Young Adults:
- Longer 4-10 mile hikes of varied terrain
- Wilderness and survival training
- Foraging and identifying edible wild plants
- Bouldering and/ or rock climbing
- Camping with friends and community groups
- Community tree plantings
- Volunteering or interning at a local farm
- Volunteering with wild animal rescue teams
- Family kayaking, snowboarding and rafting trips
- Create initiatives to help your local community become more environmentally conscious and sustainable!
With all of these ideas, and more, always keep safety in mind and definitely do your research before heading out to any wild trail or adventure.
Melissa Barreto is the Co-Founder of Wildflower Homeschool Collective, LLC., a homeschool organization based in Northern New Jersey. She is a mother of five who greatly enjoys exploring nature, nature-based play, and learning outdoors with her family. She also manages a moms and kids hiking group in her local community where families can connect to have wild adventures together.
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