by University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Now that you’ve started to think about the ways nature can nurture you and your family, what are you waiting for? Go outside and play! Outside play does not have to be organized. Let the sounds, smells and sights of the world outside guide your family’s experience.
Planning in advance will help you have successful outside experiences. Most often, you will not need any special equipment, but you and your family might put together a backpack of supplies to hang beside the door so that you’re ready to head outside at a moment’s notice. See “Explorer’s Kit” on this page for ideas about items to include.
Prepare for the great outdoors by dressing for the season:
- Winter: coats, hats, mittens, boots.
- Spring and fall: rain jacket and mud boots.
- Summer: sun hat, sunglasses, and sneakers.
Another thing to gather is information about local community resources. Where are the nearby parks and trails? How about nature centers with family-friendly programming? Also share this information with teachers or childcare providers. Let them know how important it is for children to go outside every day.
Have fun! Enjoy the world that is around you! Remember to make time to play outside every day!
Explorer’s Kit
- Magnifying glass
- Binoculars
- Plastic bags and containers for collecting
- Field guides
- Notebook and pencil to record what you see
- Camera
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- Band-aids
- Blanket/tarp for sitting on the ground or for building forts
For more ideas, visit the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour program.