Outdoor Summer Fun
W
aking up every morning to watch the sunrise gives me immeasurable joy and peace before the noise and faster pace of the day unfolds.
Today’ s life is hectic for both adults and children, however SUMMER time provides an opportunity to slow down, head outdoors and wonder at the beauty of nature.
Getting outdoors and closer to nature has all sorts of benefits for our children. It keeps them healthy, they can learn about the amazing natural world around them and most of all its fun to play outdoors … Children learn through play.
“ When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” ~ John Muir, Naturalist
Children are curious by nature. To them, everything is a wonder. Simple fun like building fairy houses, making mud pies, chasing grasshoppers, investigating pond life, picking wild berries, hunting for rocks, watching bees and butterflies, finding pine cones, making magic petal potions, building dens, climbing trees, lying back and watching clouds go by are all part of childhood.
Here in the Okanagan the diversity of wildlife is incredible and viewing wild animals in their natural habitat is a magical and enchanting experience for a child of any age. As a family, we have encountered bears, deer, moose, big horn sheep, bald eagles, osprey and rattlesnakes, to name a few. There are many wonderful trails and hikes to suit all ages throughout the Okanagan and the Regional parks offer activities for young children and youth throughout the summer break. Geocashing was a favourite with our 14yr old.
Of course, you don’ t have to go in search of a moose; young children can have just as much fun going on a bug hunt in their own backyard, running barefoot on a sandy beach, sharing their favourite book under the shade of a giant tree. Playing in the local park where they have the freedom to run wild and chase butterflies and listen to the birds and squirrels go about their business. Why not wake up early together and let sunbeams warm your heart or stay up extra late and watch the night sky sparkle with promise.
Gardening is another wonderful fun way to connect children with nature. Simply by playing and working in a garden, children can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time, while observing the cycle of life firsthand.
Happy Healthy Children Play Outdoors
Getting children back into nature is a key part of the solution to keeping children healthy and truly creating wellness. There has never been a more important time for parents and grandparents to make outdoor play a priority for the children in their lives. It is one of the best things that we can do for their health, education and well-being and here in the Okanagan, we couldn’ t ask for a more magical and awe-inspiring place to connect out children with the natural world.
Wishing you all a magical and enchanting summer full of wonder and awe and oodles of laughter!
Contributed by Marghanita Hughes, writer and founder of Lets Go Outside- www. connectkids2nature. com
Okanagan4Kids. com Spring Break Guide | 2013 6