One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is teaching them to connect with nature. In return, we get the priceless gift of watching them discover the world around them and their role in that world through wondrous observation and some unavoidable scraped knees. So much of the connection we feel to nature as adults is a reflection of the outdoor experiences we had as children with our families. Not to mention, interaction with nature in childhood will likely lead to increased environmental awareness and the desire to pursue environmental conservation in the future. Given the environmental issues our planet faces like global warming and habitat loss, cultivating and nurturing human relationship with the outdoors (starting in childhood) is more critical than ever.
Fathers play an especially important role in passing on the lessons they learned and experiences they had outdoors growing up to their own kids, which can fuel the next generation to get outside and experience the same. This Father's Day, challenge your family to spend time together outside, and maybe even share some of your fondest memories and experiences while you're at it.
Discovering the Outdoors: There are a number of great things dads can do with their children in the backyard or nearby park. Here are a few!
Show your kids how to find wiggly worms and other critters by overturning rocks and logs
Start a simple hydroponic garden using recycled household products like water bottles
Start a compost or vermipost bin (with your wiggly worms)
Make a DIY primitive fishing pole and/or go fishing to catch dinner
Plant native flowers in a pot or your backyard and show them how to look for pollinators (note: when purchasing flowers, look for ones that bees and butterflies are already visiting!)
Search for signs of wildlife like footprints and scat and become animal trackers
Make a nature fort, bird/bee house, bird bath, or something else from scratch for the backyard
Go cloud watching (and bring a picnic with you!)
Climb a tree (bonus points if you can use a field guide to identify it!)
Connecting Dads and Daughters: Dads need self-care just like everyone else; take time with your daughters (or sons!) to make some relaxing home-made treats for everyone to enjoy! Use as many all-natural ingredients as you can that you collect outdoors.
Create caffeinated coffee face scrub to wake yourself up in the morning or a simple sugar scrub for the shower
Make yourself a beard balm while your daughter makes a deep conditioner for her hair (using coconut oil and other essential oils)
Try your hand at homemade mint toothpaste for the family
Mold some wax candles, decorated with dried flowers and leaves you gather from outside
As we know, it’s more important than ever to help kids who are stuck indoors and glued to their electronics connect with nature and family! That's why Youth Environmental Alliance teaches parents and kids alike how to connect and care for nature and ourselves, creating a healthier world inside and out. Join our Father's Day Fishing Program on June 15th or register for one of our other live or virtual nature programs. For more information and registration, visit: www.yeafrog.org/events
From us to you, Happy Father's Day!
By: The Team at Youth Environmental Alliance
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