Five ideas for educational outdoor summer activities

Why outdoor summer activities are important for your children

Outdoor education can play a pivotal role in developing your children’s learning abilities, social relationships, and physical and mental health. When your child is outside engaging in physical activity, they may be more inclined to pay attention and retain information. Plus, you can introduce them to the outdoor activities that you enjoyed as a child. Some educational outdoor summer activities you can try include the following:

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Take your children camping

Camping gives your children an opportunity to explore the great outdoors and learn survival skills without relying on technology. You can take them for a hike and show them how to follow the trail and appropriately rest afterwards. If your campsite has rivers or streams, fishing is a fun and teachable activity that can introduce them to new ecosystems, species, and skills. At the campsite, you can show them how to gather wood, and use a campfire to cook dinner.

Design a scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are a competitive and mentally stimulating activity for your family. Organize a backyard scavenger hunt with a list of fun and diverse items for your children to find. Invite their friends and other family members to partake and raise the stakes! A prize for the winner can motivate your children to want to be first one to finish.

Go stargazing and identify constellations

Gaze at the night sky’s beauty and teach your children about the universe. If your home has low light pollution, point out constellations and teach them why stars exist. Discuss the ancient legends and origin stories of these constellations. Challenge them later in the summer to identify those constellations on their own.

Learn about plants and trees

Teach your children about plants and trees so they have a deeper understanding of the world around them. Identify different species, explain their purpose in the environment, and introduce them to their importance to mitigate climate change. Working in a garden at home is a great way to teach responsibility and respect for living things.

Visit a local zoo

Zoos and nature parks help children develop a curiosity about biodiversity by introducing them to a rich variety of species and ecosystems. They can see species of animals for the first time. Be patient and allow them to explore the zoo at their pace, so they can actively engage and learn.

Planning outdoor summer activities is a great way to curate interests and hobbies for your children to discover. Not only can they engage in physical activity while learning about the universe and the natural world, but they can bond with their family in the process. Check out more organizational tips to get the most out of this summer for your family, whether it’s planning a family getaway or back-to-school shopping.