Fun Nature Activities For Your Children

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The effects of NDD are reversible

It is not too late to reverse the effects of NDD! Just by adding a little dose of nature into your child’s daily life, you will start to notice improvements in their physical and mental wellbeing.

As we reach the end of this blog, we thought it might be worth providing a list of fun nature activities that you and your child can try out. These activities are divided into the three main categories of ways that we can experience nature, as described by Kahn and Kellert.

Direct experiences

Direct experiences refer to direct contact with natural environments and biodiversity. These experiences play an important role in influencing children’s connectedness with nature, as well as having the greatest effect in mitigating the signs of NDD. Try these activities to experience nature in its rawest form. 

    • Spend a hot summer day at the beach building sandcastles.
    • Go snorkeling amongst the fishes and the corals.
    • Hike up a nature trail.
    • Stroll along the reservoirs,
    • And watch some otters along the way.

Video footage by Pearl Sim.

    • Try camping on a mountain.
    • Let them play freely in the woods with their friends.
    • See who can create the most fashionable outfit using leaves. 
    • Hug a tree and examine the bark. What does it look/feel/smell like?
    • Volunteer with them to clean up the beach.
    • Go fishing at a lake.
    • Kayak or canoe along a river
    • Take part in bird watching.
    • Watch the sunrise.
    • Watch the sunset.
    • Just sit and listen to the sound of nature.
Indirect experiences

Indirect experiences refer to contact with natural environments and wildlife in a controlled environment. These settings allow for more guidance by parents which can foster parent-child relationships. 

    • Bring them to take their dog to walk in the park.
    • Plan a route so that they pass by the local park on their way back from school,
    • And then have a picnic on the grass.
    • Visit a zoo or an aquarium. Get up close with the animals.
    • Sign up for a session at a nature adventure playground like this one:
Nature adventure play area in Bedok Reservoir. Photo taken by Pearl Sim
    • Guide them to navigate their way through a flower maze at a botanical garden.
    • Learn more nature facts on a ranger-led tour.
    • Teach your child to grow and harvest their own herbs.
    • Hunt for the most colorful bug in your backyard.
Vicarious experiences

Vicarious experiences refer to the connectedness with nature through a proxy. These activities can be a way to encourage children who would prefer to stay at home or lack access to green spaces to be more involved and excited for their interaction with nature.

    • Read educational books with your child about earth systems.
    • Watch documentaries about different the different biospheres around the world.
    • Roleplay as lions and elephants of the safari.
    • Update your child on the discoveries of new animal species.
    • Make a collage of the coolest animals and plants they can find in a nature magazine. 
    • Create clay sculptures of their favorite animals.
    • Show them pictures of beautiful nature scenes from all around the world.
    • Paint a beautiful nature scene. 

Whatever activity you and your children pick, there is sure to be lots of fun for the whole family to enjoy. Most importantly, your children will receive the benefits of nature which will contribute to their healthy childhood development. 

Header image by Meg Loeks.