Five Fun Ideas to Get Your Kids Outside

Parenting isn't what it used to be when it was hard to get kids to come inside. Many kids today don't want to go outside. They prefer the couch and their favorite video game. Maybe they have a can of soda and a bowl of chips beside them as the defeat the underworld or save the world from alien attack. Going outside and playing ball or hiking in the woods just doesn't seem too exciting compared to becoming a warlord.

Here are some great ideas to get your kids out the door for some summer fun and family time.

Scavenger Hunt

Depending on how old your kids are, create a sense of adventure with a scavenger hunt. This can be as detailed or simple as you like. Make a list of items the kids need to find outside. Detail the area where they should search, depending upon their age: back yard, play area, or the whole neighborhood for older kids. If the kids don't know how to read yet, cut out pictures of the items they should find. Always have an age appropriate prize ready for the person who finds all the items first and consolation prizes for the runners up.

Treasure Hunt

This is similar to the scavenger hunt but the kids use a map to locate the hidden treasure. Before beginning the game, hide a treasure outside. You can play this in your own yard, at a park, or at the beach. Give each child a treasure map that you designed, with clues to follow to the treasure. The winner gets to keep the treasure that was hidden.

Nature Artwork

There are so many things in nature to craft into a work of art. Take the whole family on a nature hike, collecting gnarly sticks, assorted shapes of leaves, different types of pinecones, acorns, colorful stones, wildflowers, empty insect shells, and anything else you come across outside. Bring the collections home, get out the glue and the paint and have the kids design a sculpture from their items. You can even have a neighborhood art show and display the kids' creations for all to enjoy.

Plant an Orchard

Pick up a few fruit tree seedlings at a nursery, at least one for each child. Bring the kids outside and square off an area for the orchard. It doesn't need to be too big because trees take so long to mature. The seedlings can always be transplanted when they get larger. The fun of planting an orchard is spending time together, tilling the soil, planting the seedling, and taking care of it every day. Have the kids weed and water around the seedling and use a ruler to measure its growth every week. The kids will be amazed as their apple or cherry tree sprouts new stems and leaves.

Watch Worms Grow

Give each child a pail and go outside where there are some wet leaves or rocks. Check under the rocks and look under the wet leaves for worms. Have the kids find as many worms as they can and take them home. Get a wooden or plastic container and fill it with wet leaves, newspaper, and pieces of shredded cardboard, along with a little bit of soil. Have the kids empty their worms into the prepared container. Make sure not to put too much water in the container, just keep it damp.

What's great about worm farming is that the worms don't need to be fed because they eat the leaves and newspaper. The kids will be amazed at how quickly their worms grow, getting fat and juicy and how the leaves and newspapers are turning into rich soil. If your kids like to fish, you'll have home grown bait ready to go. Worms can even be kept indoors in a cool place over the winter. Just be sure to add moisture and newspaper for them to eat. The worms will even eat dry dog food.

Resource:Family Education: "Outdoor Activities"