In today’s fast-paced world, it’s common for children to feel cooped up after spending extended periods indoors. I’ve witnessed my own kids transform from lethargic to lively as soon as we step outside. The initial moping quickly gives way to bursts of energy, with toys strewn all over the house and epic battles between action figures staged in the living room.
As a homeschooling family, once we wrap up our lessons, the inevitable pleas begin: “Can we go outside? Please, can we play outside? What’s on the agenda today?” The go-to response is often a trip to a nearby park with ponds, where they can chase after tadpoles during this season or hunt for bullfrogs later on. Armed with nets, they capture minnows, shout with excitement, and leap from rocks into the water while I relax under a pine tree with a book and my dog. Alternatively, we might hike at a local spot known for its beautiful waterfall and fossil-laden sandstone. While there are other hiking paths where we can observe alligators or collect interesting rocks, the waterfall remains their favorite destination.
If all else fails, we head to one of the local splash pads, though these concrete areas only hold their attention when the heat becomes unbearable. On weekends, we venture out with the kids, with our 7-year-old in a kayak and the younger ones in a canoe, paddling down the river. This outdoor time is crucial because, without it, my energetic sons, who both have ADHD, can turn our home into chaos, and they feel miserable too.
In an article by Laura Bennett in The Vancouver Sun, Richard Louv, the keynote speaker at the Children and Nature Network International Conference, points out that children today are increasingly reporting issues with attention spans and depression, often leading to medication. While I don’t believe my sons’ ADHD—or my own ADD and depression—stems solely from a disconnection from nature, I can certainly see the positive impact that time spent outdoors has on us. On days when we explore nature, my oldest son, Max, is noticeably calmer and more focused, just as I find my own spirits lifted while kayaking.
Research from the University of Illinois, mentioned by Bennett, indicates that playtime in “green, outdoor spaces” enhances creativity and alleviates ADHD symptoms. My kids thrive when they’re given the freedom to roam in a natural setting with minimal adult intervention. They delight in playing with sticks, tossing pinecones, building makeshift forts, and pretending to fish. Their obsession with water play knows no bounds, and I often find myself unaware of the details of their imaginative games, which feels completely appropriate. Nature provides them with a space to explore and create freely, away from adult supervision and the constant reminders of safety.
E.O. Wilson, a professor at Harvard University, suggests that we are innately drawn to the natural world, a phenomenon he terms biophilia. This intrinsic attraction is vital for our psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Essentially, children require time in natural environments—be it lush greenery, rocky terrains (watch out for rattlesnakes!), or even muddy puddles—to foster their growth and creativity. They need the freedom to make mud pies, observe the movement of trees swaying in the breeze, and engage with their surroundings in a way that structured soccer practices simply cannot replicate. Organized sports may take place outdoors, but they don’t offer the wildness that nature inherently provides.
While you might hesitate to allow fire-building, there are other imaginative activities to encourage. Although handling tadpoles, worms, or lizards may not appeal to everyone, providing nets for gentle catching and containers for observation can spark curiosity. Importantly, when children play together, they often create their own games and rules, a skill that has become increasingly rare in urban settings, as Louv notes.
Encouraging outdoor play may require some effort—such as finding other kids to join in or letting go of the notion that children must always be engaged in academic work or organized sports. We might also need to step outside ourselves, as I discovered when I had to start keeping bug spray handy to fend off pesky mosquitoes. Embracing a little messiness—mud, wet clothes, and sticky hands—is essential too. We may encounter questions we can’t immediately answer (What type of mushroom is that? Is it a fungus? What kind of rock is this?), but the priority is to ensure our kids experience the wonders of nature. They deserve these opportunities for their well-being—and ultimately, our own.
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Summary
Children thrive when they have ample opportunities to connect with nature, which fosters their growth, creativity, and overall well-being. Allowing kids the freedom to explore the outdoors provides them with invaluable life skills and encourages imaginative play. It’s essential for parents to prioritize outdoor time, letting go of structured activities in favor of unstructured exploration. By doing so, we not only benefit our children but also enhance our own lives.