Nature Ideas for the Whole Family

The following ideas provide some great ways to get your family excited to be in nature. All of these choices can be adapted for anyone from infants to elders:

1. Plant a Garden

Gardening provides an opportunity for children to learn about plants, seeds, watering cans and other gardening basics. It also gives them an opportunity to spend quality time outside as a family while working on something rewarding and productive. The best way to get started is to grow what you love to eat. Learn about local growing seasons or dive into mobile gardening.

2. Make it a Game

Playing in nature is fun, just using the environment around you. If you have gamers in your family, take the fun outside with activities like geocaching. You can also create an obstacle course or game map outside for some hand on fun. Bring a nature journal to record of all the things you see and do while out in nature, or make a scavenger hunt. It's easy to replicate game play in the great outdoors, you just have to get creative.

Throughout my life, I have felt drawn into nature, eager to seek the forest, like anything else was a distraction. The older I got the more I got sucked into doing what was expected of me: Go to university, get a career, make a life, and do it all for 40 years until you retire.

For a while I followed, got a government desk job, got married, started a family. I always felt like I was missing out on what life was supposed to be. I couldn’t understand why I was supposed to wait until retirement to live the life of my dreams. All around me I saw sad people, counting down the years until they could get out of there.

3. Have a Picnic

Eating outside is something that everyone in the family is going to enjoy. Go to the farmers market and pick up some fresh produce and then head out to your favourite park or a new forest. Sit down on a blanket or at a picnic table and enjoy the atmosphere. Afterwards you can play frisbee, ball, or go enjoy what nature has to offer.

4. Go on a Nature Walk

If you’re not already doing so, take a walk outside everyday and use the time to catch up with each other. Nature walks can happen anywhere. Look for your nearest park, or nearby community garden. There are endless options, wherever you are in the world. Make it a priority to immerse yourselves in nature for your family’s physical and emotional health. For teens, a nature walk is a great place to have conversations because it is a relaxed setting and there’s no pressure when you’re out for a stroll. For a fun twist, take along nature walk bingo and use your nature walk to look a little closer at your surroundings.

5. Watch for Wildlife

Hang a bird feeder in your garden or backyard and watch the colorful birds flitting about. Or take a hike on a nature trail to see wildflowers and wildlife. Keep your distance and safely observe animals in their native habitat. When traveling somewhere new, check out local nature preserves to learn about the local environment. If one of your children has a favourite animal, make it a point to travel to where that animal lives.

6. Go Eating

Taking time to enjoy nature together is a great way to strengthen family bonds and learn more about the environment around you. But let’s face it, every parent knows kids will be more excited if eating is involved. One of the best things about the forest is all the food. Now, of course, you have to know what is edible, but things like berries are easy to spot and make a great, self-serve snack.

7. Paddle or Pedal

Biking and paddle sports are perfect activities for families. The only downside is there is equipment required. The great thing is all ages and abilities can participate. There are bike trailers and adapted equipment that allow everyone to have a ride. In many places canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are available for rent, so you can try it out and see if it is a fit for your family.

Start with what your family is able to do. For babies, it is always recommended to have a carrier or backpack so they can still be part of the action, but are kept safe. If children are older, follow their interests and encourage them to learn new skills. Find one or activity that everyone can participate in and make it a regular part of your life. When your family focuses on the beauty of nature, you'll see the benefits. The idea is to free yourself enough that you are aware of the environment around you.