Photo adapted from mother-1039765_1920 thedanw @ pixabay.com
You ever read something and just find yourself nodding, like “Yeah, I totally get what this person is saying”? I had one of those moments today. The article was titled “Keep it Simple When Introducing Kids to the Outdoors,” and it included a list of things people shouldn’t do when introducing kids to the outdoors (don’t let them play with leeches, for example). After the list, the article ends with this head-nodding gem:
Most of all, just keep it simple and fun.
Well, duh! Why didn’t I think of that? Keep it simple is a mantra for most everything, but for some reason, many of us (yup, I include myself here) overplan when it comes to outdoor activities. When you keep it simple, you’re open to interesting possibilities. You can be spontaneous.
When it comes to getting your family outdoors, keeping it simple should be your goal. If you need some inspiration, check out the ideas at the blogs No Time for Flashcards and Hands On As We Grow.
What simple activities have you used to introduce kids to the outdoors?
Read more of my Blogging From A-Z Challenge posts: 26 Reasons to Take Your Family Outside.
Amy Morris-Jones 
Yes! I used to think I had to plan our next park adventure… But really I just need to plan on bringing food and dry clothes to whatever park we visit. The adventure is silently waiting for the kids to come along and happen upon it!
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Your comment about bringing food and extra clothes just made me smile as that’s so true of my family, too. As long as they’re fed and warm, they’re happy!
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Scavenger Hunts always intrigued kids when I taught elementary amd middle school.
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Love those scavenger hunts! We do all sorts of impromptu scavenger hunts when camping: “Find something red. Find something shiny.” Keeps the kids running around for as long as we can keep coming up with ideas.
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Wait, so I’m NOT supposed to let them play with leeches? Well that’s just confusing.
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I know, I know… That leeches thing made me laugh because I could just see that being right where my kids would head! I’m slowly learning that is related to being boys!
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We walk and “notice things. Today, we watched the men replacing the streetlights with new ones. We saw how much smaller the new ones are and will drive around tonight to see if they are brighter than the old ones. Little things. Lots of fun.
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Sounds like a wonderful walk! We did something similar last night. I love listening to what my sons find fascinating–a leaf, a “pretty” stone, some tree roots. There’s so much to see when we open our eyes!
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