![\"being](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20WaysBeingOutside-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEnhance observation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Be tree detectives.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHave them observe and collect visual clues like leaf shape and size, bark colour and texture, and whether the tree has flowers or cones. Then let kids solve the mystery of what kind of tree it is, using an old-school tree field guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Create a neighbourhood map.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRoll out a big piece of paper so kids can draw in the trees, houses, gardens and other landmarks they observe on their expeditions (i.e., neighbourhood walks). Mapmaking requires attention to detail and encourages kids to focus on what\u2019s around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Play nature bingo.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPrint out 25-space bingo cards to carry on hikes or walks. Pre-fill the blocks with natural things to look for like a spiderweb, jagged rock and local birds<\/a>. Then get spotting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"being](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20WaysBeingOutside-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4. Choose a sit-spot.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pencil in a daily \u2018sit-spot time,\u2019 \u2013 a favourite practice among naturalists. Kids pick an outdoor site to sit, unplug and tune in to nature for 20 minutes each day. Calm fidgety fingers with a notebook to write or draw observations. Combine this activity with a spot of forest-bathing<\/a>, if you\u2019ve a wood nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Focus on creature features.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhether it\u2019s a squirrel\u2019s busy tail or a rabbit\u2019s oversized feet, animals have signature physical characteristics that usually serve a purpose (like, yikes, let me hop away from that predator really quickly!). Researching why critters look and act the way they do gives kids more incentive to quietly observe wildlife while being outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLooking for even more brilliant ideas? Sign up to the free National Geographic Kids newsletter<\/a> for kid-friendly activities, good news and family day out ideas, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nIgnite curiosity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n6. Design a wildlife friendly garden.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWho knows what will show up when you create a space where birds, butterflies and other creatures feel at home? Put kids in charge of choosing food sources (like feeders or seeds from native plants) and flora that provide safe places for hiding from predators and raising their young. (Here are some family-friendly top tips to start feeding the birds.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Point and click.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne tap of the Seek app by iNaturalist<\/a> gives kids (under your supervision) the power to identify plants and wildlife they\u2019re curious about. Using a camera, image recognition technology and lists of commonly seen wild things in your area, the app clues in curious explorers about what they\u2019ve discovered. Plus, families and kids 13 and older can earn badges by sharing observations online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Watch plants drink.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKids are always curious about how things work \u2013 and that includes plants<\/a>. Stems are basically plant straws, so to see how they suck water from the soil, try this simple experiment. Add water and red food colouring to a glass jar, stick the stem end of a white carnation or daisy inside, and watch the thirsty flowers slowly turn pink from their drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Take a literary field trip.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBroaden your kids\u2019 horizons without ever leaving home, with a subscription to National Geographic Kids magazine<\/a>. Each issue is packed with fascinating features, inspiring interviews and amazing photography \u2013 giving kids the chance to see, read about and learn from real explorers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20WaysBeingOutside-3.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10. Zoom in.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOff-limit areas like treetops and beehives can instil some not-so-acceptable behaviours in children who love being outside. So, focus that curiosity with lower-magnification binoculars (which are easier to hold and provide a wider field of view) to get a closer look at the nature kids can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t touch. Look for a pair with 8x magnification to make safer-at-a-distance nature appear eight times closer than with the naked eye. Or make your own magnifier<\/a> to see insect life up-close! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBoost self-confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n11. Take a night hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen the sun powers down, nature\u2019s spooky-cool night crew revs up. On an after-dark family walk<\/a>, tread lightly, listen closely and work together to identify sounds like owl calls and frog croaks. Wear headtorches to boost the adventure level (and stay safe) and encourage your kids to relish being outside when most other people aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Walk the line.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nElevate your kid\u2019s view of nature \u2013 and their sense of what they can accomplish \u2013 by suspending a low-hanging slackline between two trees or other fixed objects. Walking a slackline requires balance and focus; falling off (a lot) and trying again builds the resilience kids need to step outside their comfort zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Follow their lead.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nExplorers regularly face setbacks<\/a>. The next time a downed tree blocks a hiking path, or a sudden closure shuts down an activity, ask the kids for suggestions. Obviously you\u2019ll make the final call, but encouraging kids to weigh in and share their reasoning helps them feel valued and capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n14. Go west!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOr north, south or east, by teaching kids how to use a compass. The mnemonic \u201cN<\/strong>ever E<\/strong>at S<\/strong>oggy W<\/strong>affles\u201d helps kids remember how the cardinal directions appear on the compass face. Take turns walking north to south using only the compass needle as a guide to help them feel confident that they\u2019ll always know where they\u2019re going. (Hint: The needle\u2019s red end always points north!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"being](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20WaysBeingOutside-4.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n15. Try something new while being outside.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStand-up paddle boarding, caving or even just handing over the hiking map opens up children to new experiences that make them feel adventurous and confident<\/a>. Just for kicks and giggles, take a deep breath and see what new, possibly-scary activity your kid wants to tackle next! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEncourage creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n16. Create a local biodiversity guide.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf an interplanetary traveller came for a visit, what living things would your kids want it to see? Make local animals and plants the focus and let kids use digital or old-school tools to document their recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20WaysBeingOutside-5.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n17. Create a Small Stuff photo exhibit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nInspire creativity by inviting kids to photograph the little parts of nature, not the obvious whole (like a square of gnarly bark instead of the entire tree.) Print and display the photos in a hallway gallery and host an \u2018opening\u2019 where budding photographers can talk about their work. (Check out these kid-friendly tips for taking photos like a Nat Geo pro.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n18. Take a micro hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA ruler, magnifying glass and creativity are the only tools kids need to shrink down to ant-size hikers. Using the ruler to mark the route, and their imaginations to pretend they\u2019re miniature, kids lie down and \u2018hike\u2019 (slowly on their tiny ant legs), using the magnifier to make discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
19. If trees could talk\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhat would they say after standing in one place for fifty years or more? Have kids create these fanciful histories or keep a week-by-week journal for a nearby tree so children can view the world from nature\u2019s perspective. Add photos of memorable events the tree observed, like Christmas celebrations or summer BBQs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
20. Play blindfolded.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn a park or garden, have kids take turns as the guide and the blindfolded person. The guide verbally leads the other child through a series of nature exercises \u2013 such as circumnavigating a tree, smelling flowers and waiting to hear a bird\u2019s song. The guide gets creative with instructions, and the blindfolded kid gets creative with following them. (Here are some other ways kids can learn about their bodies!<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have them observe and collect visual clues like leaf shape and size, bark colour and texture, and whether the tree has flowers or cones. Then let kids solve the mystery of what kind of tree it is, using an old-school tree field guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Create a neighbourhood map.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRoll out a big piece of paper so kids can draw in the trees, houses, gardens and other landmarks they observe on their expeditions (i.e., neighbourhood walks). Mapmaking requires attention to detail and encourages kids to focus on what\u2019s around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Play nature bingo.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPrint out 25-space bingo cards to carry on hikes or walks. Pre-fill the blocks with natural things to look for like a spiderweb, jagged rock and local birds<\/a>. Then get spotting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4. Choose a sit-spot.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pencil in a daily \u2018sit-spot time,\u2019 \u2013 a favourite practice among naturalists. Kids pick an outdoor site to sit, unplug and tune in to nature for 20 minutes each day. Calm fidgety fingers with a notebook to write or draw observations. Combine this activity with a spot of forest-bathing<\/a>, if you\u2019ve a wood nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Focus on creature features.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhether it\u2019s a squirrel\u2019s busy tail or a rabbit\u2019s oversized feet, animals have signature physical characteristics that usually serve a purpose (like, yikes, let me hop away from that predator really quickly!). Researching why critters look and act the way they do gives kids more incentive to quietly observe wildlife while being outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLooking for even more brilliant ideas? Sign up to the free National Geographic Kids newsletter<\/a> for kid-friendly activities, good news and family day out ideas, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nIgnite curiosity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n6. Design a wildlife friendly garden.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWho knows what will show up when you create a space where birds, butterflies and other creatures feel at home? Put kids in charge of choosing food sources (like feeders or seeds from native plants) and flora that provide safe places for hiding from predators and raising their young. (Here are some family-friendly top tips to start feeding the birds.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Point and click.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne tap of the Seek app by iNaturalist<\/a> gives kids (under your supervision) the power to identify plants and wildlife they\u2019re curious about. Using a camera, image recognition technology and lists of commonly seen wild things in your area, the app clues in curious explorers about what they\u2019ve discovered. Plus, families and kids 13 and older can earn badges by sharing observations online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Watch plants drink.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKids are always curious about how things work \u2013 and that includes plants<\/a>. Stems are basically plant straws, so to see how they suck water from the soil, try this simple experiment. Add water and red food colouring to a glass jar, stick the stem end of a white carnation or daisy inside, and watch the thirsty flowers slowly turn pink from their drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Take a literary field trip.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBroaden your kids\u2019 horizons without ever leaving home, with a subscription to National Geographic Kids magazine<\/a>. Each issue is packed with fascinating features, inspiring interviews and amazing photography \u2013 giving kids the chance to see, read about and learn from real explorers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10. Zoom in.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOff-limit areas like treetops and beehives can instil some not-so-acceptable behaviours in children who love being outside. So, focus that curiosity with lower-magnification binoculars (which are easier to hold and provide a wider field of view) to get a closer look at the nature kids can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t touch. Look for a pair with 8x magnification to make safer-at-a-distance nature appear eight times closer than with the naked eye. Or make your own magnifier<\/a> to see insect life up-close! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBoost self-confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n11. Take a night hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen the sun powers down, nature\u2019s spooky-cool night crew revs up. On an after-dark family walk<\/a>, tread lightly, listen closely and work together to identify sounds like owl calls and frog croaks. Wear headtorches to boost the adventure level (and stay safe) and encourage your kids to relish being outside when most other people aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Walk the line.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nElevate your kid\u2019s view of nature \u2013 and their sense of what they can accomplish \u2013 by suspending a low-hanging slackline between two trees or other fixed objects. Walking a slackline requires balance and focus; falling off (a lot) and trying again builds the resilience kids need to step outside their comfort zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Follow their lead.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nExplorers regularly face setbacks<\/a>. The next time a downed tree blocks a hiking path, or a sudden closure shuts down an activity, ask the kids for suggestions. Obviously you\u2019ll make the final call, but encouraging kids to weigh in and share their reasoning helps them feel valued and capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n14. Go west!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOr north, south or east, by teaching kids how to use a compass. The mnemonic \u201cN<\/strong>ever E<\/strong>at S<\/strong>oggy W<\/strong>affles\u201d helps kids remember how the cardinal directions appear on the compass face. Take turns walking north to south using only the compass needle as a guide to help them feel confident that they\u2019ll always know where they\u2019re going. (Hint: The needle\u2019s red end always points north!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n15. Try something new while being outside.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStand-up paddle boarding, caving or even just handing over the hiking map opens up children to new experiences that make them feel adventurous and confident<\/a>. Just for kicks and giggles, take a deep breath and see what new, possibly-scary activity your kid wants to tackle next! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEncourage creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n16. Create a local biodiversity guide.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf an interplanetary traveller came for a visit, what living things would your kids want it to see? Make local animals and plants the focus and let kids use digital or old-school tools to document their recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n17. Create a Small Stuff photo exhibit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nInspire creativity by inviting kids to photograph the little parts of nature, not the obvious whole (like a square of gnarly bark instead of the entire tree.) Print and display the photos in a hallway gallery and host an \u2018opening\u2019 where budding photographers can talk about their work. (Check out these kid-friendly tips for taking photos like a Nat Geo pro.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n18. Take a micro hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA ruler, magnifying glass and creativity are the only tools kids need to shrink down to ant-size hikers. Using the ruler to mark the route, and their imaginations to pretend they\u2019re miniature, kids lie down and \u2018hike\u2019 (slowly on their tiny ant legs), using the magnifier to make discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
19. If trees could talk\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhat would they say after standing in one place for fifty years or more? Have kids create these fanciful histories or keep a week-by-week journal for a nearby tree so children can view the world from nature\u2019s perspective. Add photos of memorable events the tree observed, like Christmas celebrations or summer BBQs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
20. Play blindfolded.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn a park or garden, have kids take turns as the guide and the blindfolded person. The guide verbally leads the other child through a series of nature exercises \u2013 such as circumnavigating a tree, smelling flowers and waiting to hear a bird\u2019s song. The guide gets creative with instructions, and the blindfolded kid gets creative with following them. (Here are some other ways kids can learn about their bodies!<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Print out 25-space bingo cards to carry on hikes or walks. Pre-fill the blocks with natural things to look for like a spiderweb, jagged rock and local birds<\/a>. Then get spotting!<\/p>\n\n\n Pencil in a daily \u2018sit-spot time,\u2019 \u2013 a favourite practice among naturalists. Kids pick an outdoor site to sit, unplug and tune in to nature for 20 minutes each day. Calm fidgety fingers with a notebook to write or draw observations. Combine this activity with a spot of forest-bathing<\/a>, if you\u2019ve a wood nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s a squirrel\u2019s busy tail or a rabbit\u2019s oversized feet, animals have signature physical characteristics that usually serve a purpose (like, yikes, let me hop away from that predator really quickly!). Researching why critters look and act the way they do gives kids more incentive to quietly observe wildlife while being outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for even more brilliant ideas? Sign up to the free National Geographic Kids newsletter<\/a> for kid-friendly activities, good news and family day out ideas, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Who knows what will show up when you create a space where birds, butterflies and other creatures feel at home? Put kids in charge of choosing food sources (like feeders or seeds from native plants) and flora that provide safe places for hiding from predators and raising their young. (Here are some family-friendly top tips to start feeding the birds.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n One tap of the Seek app by iNaturalist<\/a> gives kids (under your supervision) the power to identify plants and wildlife they\u2019re curious about. Using a camera, image recognition technology and lists of commonly seen wild things in your area, the app clues in curious explorers about what they\u2019ve discovered. Plus, families and kids 13 and older can earn badges by sharing observations online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids are always curious about how things work \u2013 and that includes plants<\/a>. Stems are basically plant straws, so to see how they suck water from the soil, try this simple experiment. Add water and red food colouring to a glass jar, stick the stem end of a white carnation or daisy inside, and watch the thirsty flowers slowly turn pink from their drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Broaden your kids\u2019 horizons without ever leaving home, with a subscription to National Geographic Kids magazine<\/a>. Each issue is packed with fascinating features, inspiring interviews and amazing photography \u2013 giving kids the chance to see, read about and learn from real explorers around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n Off-limit areas like treetops and beehives can instil some not-so-acceptable behaviours in children who love being outside. So, focus that curiosity with lower-magnification binoculars (which are easier to hold and provide a wider field of view) to get a closer look at the nature kids can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t touch. Look for a pair with 8x magnification to make safer-at-a-distance nature appear eight times closer than with the naked eye. Or make your own magnifier<\/a> to see insect life up-close! <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the sun powers down, nature\u2019s spooky-cool night crew revs up. On an after-dark family walk<\/a>, tread lightly, listen closely and work together to identify sounds like owl calls and frog croaks. Wear headtorches to boost the adventure level (and stay safe) and encourage your kids to relish being outside when most other people aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elevate your kid\u2019s view of nature \u2013 and their sense of what they can accomplish \u2013 by suspending a low-hanging slackline between two trees or other fixed objects. Walking a slackline requires balance and focus; falling off (a lot) and trying again builds the resilience kids need to step outside their comfort zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explorers regularly face setbacks<\/a>. The next time a downed tree blocks a hiking path, or a sudden closure shuts down an activity, ask the kids for suggestions. Obviously you\u2019ll make the final call, but encouraging kids to weigh in and share their reasoning helps them feel valued and capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or north, south or east, by teaching kids how to use a compass. The mnemonic \u201cN<\/strong>ever E<\/strong>at S<\/strong>oggy W<\/strong>affles\u201d helps kids remember how the cardinal directions appear on the compass face. Take turns walking north to south using only the compass needle as a guide to help them feel confident that they\u2019ll always know where they\u2019re going. (Hint: The needle\u2019s red end always points north!)<\/p>\n\n\n Stand-up paddle boarding, caving or even just handing over the hiking map opens up children to new experiences that make them feel adventurous and confident<\/a>. Just for kicks and giggles, take a deep breath and see what new, possibly-scary activity your kid wants to tackle next! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If an interplanetary traveller came for a visit, what living things would your kids want it to see? Make local animals and plants the focus and let kids use digital or old-school tools to document their recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n Inspire creativity by inviting kids to photograph the little parts of nature, not the obvious whole (like a square of gnarly bark instead of the entire tree.) Print and display the photos in a hallway gallery and host an \u2018opening\u2019 where budding photographers can talk about their work. (Check out these kid-friendly tips for taking photos like a Nat Geo pro.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A ruler, magnifying glass and creativity are the only tools kids need to shrink down to ant-size hikers. Using the ruler to mark the route, and their imaginations to pretend they\u2019re miniature, kids lie down and \u2018hike\u2019 (slowly on their tiny ant legs), using the magnifier to make discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would they say after standing in one place for fifty years or more? Have kids create these fanciful histories or keep a week-by-week journal for a nearby tree so children can view the world from nature\u2019s perspective. Add photos of memorable events the tree observed, like Christmas celebrations or summer BBQs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a park or garden, have kids take turns as the guide and the blindfolded person. The guide verbally leads the other child through a series of nature exercises \u2013 such as circumnavigating a tree, smelling flowers and waiting to hear a bird\u2019s song. The guide gets creative with instructions, and the blindfolded kid gets creative with following them. (Here are some other ways kids can learn about their bodies!<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4. Choose a sit-spot.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Focus on creature features.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Ignite curiosity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Design a wildlife friendly garden.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Point and click.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Watch plants drink.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Take a literary field trip.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10. Zoom in.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boost self-confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11. Take a night hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12. Walk the line.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
13. Follow their lead.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
14. Go west!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n15. Try something new while being outside.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Encourage creativity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
16. Create a local biodiversity guide.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n17. Create a Small Stuff photo exhibit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
18. Take a micro hike.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
19. If trees could talk\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
20. Play blindfolded.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n