Start Small, Lead Big

Never has outdoor play been more important for young children. In a world full of screens and artificially purified air, our children need the sun on their faces, fresh air in their lungs, and dirt beneath their feet. Such a foundation for young children leads to healthier development, increased immunity, and improved socialization (See “The Importance of Outdoor Play for Young Children’s Healthy Development” (Bento & Dias, 2017). Start them in the outdoors young and they’ll gain a lifelong love for nature. It can be challenging to know how to get your kids outside. Here are three surefire ways for you and your kids to have fun in the outdoors together.

Three Activities to Help Your Children Get Outdoors With You

Activity 1: Backyard Treasure Hunt
One of the biggest obstacles standing between men and getting outside is time. For suburban dads—and even some rural dads—a trip to the woods is an all-day affair. But what treasures can be found in your own backyard? Finding ways to connect with nature right outside your door is key to keeping yourself centered and ready to carry the load of fatherhood. With this activity, you can keep it simple by walking outside with your kids, looking for anything that piques their interest, and teaching them about it. Young children love to learn and pick up an interest in whatever you’re willing to teach them about—bugs, oddly shaped sticks or rocks, animal tracks or scat, feathers, or nuts. If you want to take it a step further, make a list beforehand of specific things for your kids to look for. Bonus: this can be done with the kids, or you can make the list and have them report their findings to you. They’ll be so proud when they find an amazing dinosaur-shaped rock or a big feather, and they’ll come to you for validation. Make sure you let them know how cool you think it is too! This kind of unstructured play helps kids build curiosity and, as mentioned, new interests you can dive into with them.

Activity 2: Mud and Stick Masterpieces
Who doesn’t love a good mud pie or a soup/stew/potion made from dirt, grass, rocks, and anything else little hands can grab and mix into the concoction? We’ve all been on the giving end of these. Help your kids take their mud creations to the next level by giving them some sticks, plopping down in the mud with them, and showing them how to paint a picture—of their beautiful mother or favorite pet. Society has come to fear dirt, and mud is only worse. Yet, studies show that letting kids play in mud builds immunity, improves gut health, and boosts mental and emotional health (see: Mud Play for Kids: Why It’s Worth the Mess). So many fancy words just to say connecting with creation makes us happier. Sure, the mess isn’t fun—prepare by dressing you and the kids in old clothes and going barefoot (yes, you too, for Pete’s sake)! Bonus activity: bust out the hose when mud play is done and make a game of getting clean!

Activity 3: Campfire Stories
Few things create the nostalgia of a campfire. Add campfire stories, and you’re building core memories for dads and kids alike. The glory of this activity is its flexibility—you can keep it as simple as using a gas fire pit on the back porch or make it as involved as taking the kids into the woods, finding wood together, and showing them how to build the fire. Bonus points if the kids use pretend axes to chop their own wood. When it comes to the stories, take turns making up tales that aren’t too scary and maybe a little silly. Include some from your childhood or, if you’re into family history, your ancestors. You’ll create a stronger bond in one evening than in a week of daily routine. Making this regular can lead to moments when older children confide in you or seek advice by the fire.

Planting the Seed

‍The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints once ran commercials about families spending time together with the catchphrase, “Family, isn’t it about time?” It really is about time. The more time dads spend with their kids, the more they show love. Combine that with outdoor fun, and you plant a love for nature in their hearts—a bond to nurture as it grows into a fruitful tree.