There’s nothing quite like getting outside on a beautiful day to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. And while most parents appreciate the importance of spending time outdoors, it’s not always easy to get our children to agree. The last thing many of them want is to be pried away from their devices or the TV, which can be a battle busy parents don’t have the energy to confront. However, getting your kids off the couch and sending them outside is the only way to really combat nature-deficit disorder. With the rise in childhood obesity, depression, and inactivity, time outside needs to become a part of everyday life for kids if we want them to be healthy individuals. Truly, this applies to the whole family.
Time spent in parks, enjoying nature walks, hiking, and even camping are great ways to spend time outdoors as a family, but sometimes just getting in an afternoon bike ride, a game of basketball, or even a backyard craft is enough. Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership offers the following resources to help get the kids outside.
Why Your Kids Should Spend More Time Outdoors
Spending time in nature has mental, physical, and emotional benefits for children.
- Why Our Kids Need To Get Outside More
- 7 Reasons Kids Need to Play Outside (& How to Get Them There)
- Why You Should Take Your Children To Your Local Nature Center
- How to Help Kids Fall in Love with the Outdoors
Backyard Fun
There’s plenty of fun to be had in your own backyard!
- 14 Easy Ways to Make Your Backyard More Fun
- Gardening with Young Children Helps Their Development
- 20 Outdoor Games For The Most Fun Backyard Ever
- Storm Spotting for Children: At-Home Meteorology
Adventures in Nature
Expand their horizons by getting your kids deeper into nature.
- Enjoy an Paddling Adventure on Mississippi’s Lower Delta
- 7 Benefits Of Riding A Bike Every Day
- Intro to Hiking: Finding a Family-Friendly First Hike
- Kayaking with Kids – A Beginners Guide
Consider time outdoors a must to keep your whole family healthy. With so many opportunities to get outside, you’re sure to find something everyone will enjoy. Mississippi’s Lower Delta has so much to offer. From camping to boating to hiking to fishing to birding, there’s plenty for the whole family to explore.
– article contributed by Jenny Miller with Stop Nature Deficit Disorder
