How Do Kids Benefit from Being in Nature?

Kids spend 50 percent less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago, yet their innate need for contact with nature hasn't changed. Increase the time your family spends outdoors and you'll become healthier in body, mind and spirit. If you're the adventurous type, take your kids fishing or camping. For those with limited exposure to nature, joining a kids nature club or youth organization is a good place to start. No matter the activity, you'll reap major benefits for the whole family.

  1. Healthy Habits, Healthy Bodies

    • Childhood obesity rates doubled between 1980 and 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while at the same time, children's media viewing increased to an average of six hours per day. Help your kids beat those odds by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Look for simple, logical ways to get out more everyday. Walk the dog, walk to school and head outside after school to play or ride bikes. Make time for outdoor projects, as well. Grow a garden as a family in the summer and rake leaves in the fall. Get your kids to help you shovel the walk in the winter. Not only are you building healthy bodies, but you're developing a strong work ethic -- no whining allowed.

    Brain Power

    • Spending time in nature doesn't just benefit the physical body. It can even improve cognitive ability and focus. Kids who participate in natural education programs show improved performance on standardized tests. Regular experiences with nature can reduce the symptoms of ADHD, according to a 2004 study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Bring more Zen to your outdoor play by choosing a few activities that specifically challenge both mind and body. You don't have to take up rock climbing or go parasailing; even a moderate hike on a nature trail or through an urban park can improve focus and problem-solving skills. Scramble over rocks, fly a kite or try geocaching to test your noggin as you build physical health.

    Flower Child

    • Head outdoors and you may find more peace at home. Turns out that regular opportunities for unstructured, outdoor play can reduce stress, anxiety and depression in kids, according to a 2007 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and may foster feelings of generosity and cooperation. And what's good for the kids is probably good for you too. Chances are, getting out in nature can soothe the savage beast in even the biggest of kids -- parents. Outdoor activities don't always have to be rugged, physical activities. Take a quiet walk with your child before bedtime. Turn over rocks or crunch through fallen leaves. Encourage your child to notice the natural world. Point out the changes in seasons or the movement of the moon and stars. Watch the sun rise and set. Keep your eyes open for signs of nature -- bats flying at dusk, animal prints along a stream bed or a spider web glistening in the morning sun.

    Get Real

    • If kids are to have a vested interest in caring for our planet in the future, they must have real-life opportunities to interact with nature in authentic, meaningful ways. Whether you live in an urban apartment or have a fenced yard in the suburbs, seek out regular opportunities to appreciate nature. Walk through a rain shower or build a snowman. Use natural materials to make wreaths, dolls or holiday ornaments. Make a bird feeder or set up a bird bath to draw wildlife to your yard. Even small moments help build an awareness and appreciation of the natural world.