Why kids need nature more than ever—and how to get them outside

The depressing truth is that the great outdoors is no longer a large part of childhood. Our children are addicted to screens and there are fewer green spaces. So how do we get them out there? And why is it important?

Teaching kids to appreciate nature is an integral part of growing up. The outdoors teaches them responsibility, creativity, respect, and more. However, we understand that it is difficult to pull them away from the TV or gaming console. In response, this gallery tells you exactly why nature is so important for all of us, and the best ways to get children playing outside.

If you're interested in luring your children away from sitting and staring, click through this gallery.

If only...

Back in the day, nature was a normal part of everyone's childhood. Come rain or shine, it was a place to escape from your parents and play independently.

Natural connection

Psychologist Edward O.Wilson even invented a theory called biophilia. It states that human beings are instinctively drawn towards nature in youth and adulthood.

Sad truth

In contrast to this, they spend about seven hours indoors looking at screens! Not only is this terrible for their eyes, but also their overall development.

Responsibility

You can't teach responsibility in words. It's something children have to feel for themselves. Letting a child look after a living thing, a plant or a pet, is a great way for them to learn responsibility first hand.

Thinking

Being surrounded by living, beautiful things is pretty thought-provoking for adults and children alike. The outdoors subtly teaches children about life, growth, death, and decay.

X marks the spot

An exciting way to get kids snooping around the garden is with a treasure hunt. They are mentally stimulating, fun, and great for a large group.

Special tools

All children love to role-play. There is no better way to do so than with the proper tools. By giving your child instruments that they can use in nature, they'll be more inclined to explore the outside world.

Collections

Kids often enjoy building little collections of things. Ditch the supermarket stickers and encourage them to collect pretty rocks, shells, or even sticks. Anything that gets them snooping around outside.

Starry night

A great app for camping is Night Sky. When you turn your smartphone to the sky, it shows you all the constellations. Bring a book with the stories of the planets as well, so your child can learn and appreciate nature at the same time.

Gardening

Make a long-term project with your child to create a vegetable patch. Not only will they have responsibilities they have to fulfill outside, but they will also take great pleasure in picking the seeds to plant and playing around in the dirt.

On your bike

Fun for all the family, biking trips are good exercise and can take you to some beautiful places. If you teach your child to ride at a young age, they will have more freedom and likely be more fit as teenagers.

Pets

Although it's more responsibility, having a pet can drastically increase the time children spend outdoors. They will take it on walks, play in the garden, and learn responsibility for another living thing.