Four Ways to Get Kids Interested in the Outdoors

Today’s kids spend hours a day staring at screens. Phones, computers, video games, and televisions take up time that used to be spent doing outdoor activities and learning to appreciate the beauty of the world
we live in. Parents face increasing challenges engaging kids in outdoor activities that are more entertaining than screen time. Here are five fun ideas we suggest for getting your little ones out in the fresh air with some fun outdoor activities for memorable experiences they’ll be excited to repeat.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt. Kids love games, especially ones that include searching for things. For younger kids, create a list of common outdoor objects and task your kids with finding them (think things like pinecones, acorns, feathers…). If there are enough kids to make teams, you can offer a prize for the winners. For older kids, you can have various items hidden at different locations with a series of clues that end with the winning item. The great thing about this outdoor fun is that you do not need to be in a National Park or lavish location for this to work! If traveling to outdoor locations is not practical for you, this option is something you can do in your own backyard!

2. Geocaching. Geocaching is a fun game for the outdoors that involves finding hidden caches of small items buried by previous geocachers. By visiting geocaching.com, you can find coordinates to these locations. Putting the coordinates into a handheld GPS device or smartphone can help you in your search. Remember: You always have to place another item in the cache when you take the original object! You can share your experiences in the website logbook. Many of the caches require hiking to their location, making it ideal for older kids. You can also consider burying your own cache for others to find.

3. Snow/Beach Trip. Taking a trip to a snowy winter wonderland or a sunny beach are both ways to get kids on outdoor adventures for days. Who doesn’t love a day of sand castle construction, body boarding in the waves, and eating ice cream on the beach? Or building a snowman, making snow angles, and
skiing or tubing down the slopes? Activities like these make kids forget about the gadgets they use 24/7 and instead live in the moment and make memories that will last a lifetime.

4. Campfire Time. Building a campfire is a fun activity you can do at home. Making a fire in a firepit is a fun family activity. Kids can help gather the sticks and keep the fire going. Cooking dinner over the fire, roasting marshmallows for s’mores, telling campfire stories, and using kits like Funky Flames or Mystical Fire Flame to change the colors of the flames are all a fun way to bond with your kids while spending time outdoors.

Not only do these activities teach your kids about how much fun outdoors time can be, but they provide opportunities for family bonding. Outdoor play is important for a child's development, so do not take that time for granted! Even doing simple things, like making mud pies or using sidewalk chalk, can get the outdoor adventures going. Remember to always sit or kneel when talking to small children so that you are on the same level and aren’t caught literally (or figuratively) talking down to them. Also, remember that excitement is contagious. Kids can tell when you don’t want to be there or when you’re preoccupied with other thoughts. Show them that you’re having fun spending time with them and they’ll have so much fun too. So, get out there and have memorable, outdoor adventures!

What are your kids’ favorite outdoor activities? Share your stories on the BattlBox Members Only Facebook Page!

And check out our sister brand, Wanlow, a monthly subscription box all about providing fun activities and resources that encourage kids to spend more time outside in nature and less time on their digital devices and in front of tv screens!