Children study nature in schools from the point of view of science; identify tree names, learn about photosynthesis, and study the differences between cumulus clouds and cirrus clouds. There is another aspect of nature that many people miss.
What is missing are the inner experiences that nature stimulates, including wonder, expanding perceptions, beauty, self-reflection, creative insights, joy, peace, inspiration, and rejuvenation.
When you take children out into nature and have some quiet time, the silence and beauty of the natural world awaken natural wisdom, love, and creativity within your child, as well as in yourself. Experiences in nature are real substance for the soul and are opportunities for parents and children to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Encounters with nature provide the gifts of wonder, unity, harmony, self-awareness, togetherness, and joy. Many adults and children easily solve problems and gain valuable information about their lives while resting their minds and spirits on nature hikes.
Here are 20 simple activities for you and your children to enjoy and grow in nature.
Before you go, I recommend that each person pack a small backpack filled with a lunch or snack, water, a small spiral-bound sketchbook or journal, colored pencils or pastels, and a ziploc bag to collect nature’s treasures. such as leaves, stones, feathers, etc.
The keywords for your journey are explore, feel, see, listen, learn, enjoy, appreciate, write, draw, discover and silence.
Each activity lends itself to writing and drawing in your nature journal.
1. Find a beautiful place and sit quietly for about 10 minutes to observe your surroundings. Then write a poem about what you feel and see here.
2. Choose a different location than usual. Listen carefully and draw what you hear.
3. Observe the sky Let yourself be absorbed by it Now imagine that you are walking through the sky. What it’s like. Draw it.
4. In a resting place after your walk, find something around you that you love. What is? Draw it or write about it in your journal. Feel the love spread around you. Send it to everything in nature.
5. Game: Nature Statue Maker. He turns and then stops in a pose that represents something in nature, a tree, grass, river, sun, rock, ant, flower, etc. Take turns calling out objects from nature to strike poses. When you’re done having fun with this, draw your favorite pose in your nature journal. Write about it.
6. Find a tree to sit on. She closes her eyes and imagines that you are having a conversation with the tree. Let him speak and you answer. Enjoy the conversation and then open your eyes and write what you learned. Draw yourself under the tree too.
7. Stand or sit quietly in your favorite place. Stay very still. Think of a problem that has been bothering you. Observe what is happening in nature around you. Eventually, as you watch, an idea will pop into your mind to solve your problem. Draw or write about it. (When we are silent, our inner wisdom, our intuition presents itself with answers.)
8.Discovery Day. Sit down and stay still. Let something catch your eye, something you’ve never noticed before. Let something new fill your consciousness. Write a story about it in your journal.
9. Gather some very small natural objects during your hike that you find interesting; seeds, herbs, leaves, sticks, etc. Discuss what you have found. Build a picture of nature in your journal from these objects. (Glue will be needed for this trip.)
10. The Most Beautiful Thing game. Walk and talk about the most beautiful thing you see at the moment. “The most beautiful thing I see right now is…” Repeat this as you go. Discuss why you find it beautiful, and draw your favorite when you’re done.
11. Travel magnifying glass You can buy one for less than $5.00. This adds a new dimension to nature experiences. Anything that captures your attention is a great topic to look at with a magnifying glass. Write a short poem about it when you’re done.
12. Water. Find a place with a stream, pond, river, lake, etc. and sit next to him. Stay still and imagine that you are the water. Become him and feel what the water feels. Write and draw. kids love this!
13. Ball game. With the thread, she marks a square in which you can sit. It can be big or small. Keep your eyes focused inside the square and watch what is happening around you. Become aware of everything that is inside the square. Draw it and write some comments.
14. Silent walk. Take a quiet walk, no talking allowed. The senses will be very alert and you will notice things that you don’t normally notice. Write or draw how it felt to be silent.
15. Flurry of flowers. Take note of each flower you see. Pay attention to the colors, the shape of the leaves, the size of the stem, etc. Today you are only looking for flowers. When you’re done, draw your favorite.
16. Gratitude trip. The attitude of appreciation makes us better people. Encourage your children to be grateful. Walk/hike with the intention of feeling grateful for the beauty of nature and the trees, plants and animals that come your way. Thank the trees for their shade and yes, hug them! Thank the flowers for their beauty, the insects, birds and frogs for their wonderful presence, and all of nature for making our lives possible.
Say “Thank you oak, thank you little flower, thank you yellow butterfly, etc. as you walk. You’ll feel great.
Write what you are grateful for in nature and what you are grateful for in your life.
17. Meditate. Children love simple meditations. Find a quiet place and close your eyes. Ask them to imagine peace, harmony, kindness, or beauty and feel it. Just think about that thing for 5 minutes. Write or draw.
18. Find a nice place to be quiet. What catches your attention here? Is it the song of a bird, the smell of the earth, the wind or a plant? Open your senses and smell, see, hear and feel. When something stands out, think about how it looks like you. How is the earth, the song of the birds, the plant, the wind like you? Write a poem or other thoughts about it. Pick something else you notice and do the same.
19. Nature Cards. Pick up some 3 by 5 chips today. Start making a collection of nature cards by drawing a nature item on each card and writing down some ideas about it. Draw things that you really only see. Put them in a token box (recipe card box) when you get home. Build your collection little by little.
20. Imagination. In a beautiful place, let your imagination tell the story of something you see. It can start with the birth of the flower, the tree, the squirrel, the ladybug, etc. and then let your child continue. Go back and forth until your story comes to a natural conclusion. To draw.
Nature is the best entertainment! Enjoy it thoroughly in any season with your child.