What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summer time with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, sunshine and if you’re lucky the ocean.
As much as kids love Summer holidays, keeping them busy can be a real chore! If you don’t have the luxury of a Summer camp then it’s up to you as parent to find things for the youngsters to keep busy with.
Failing that, your kids might spend all their time in front of a computer, tablet, phone or tv and research has shown that spending too much time in front of a screen can have a detrimental effect on the health and well being of children.
Studies have shown that taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering from mental illness and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, a daily walk in nature has showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.
One in four people are estimated to experience bouts of mental ill health and it’s on the rise. Prescription medication or antidepressants are also at a record high level and the demand for more invasive treatments are also on the rise. Health and social care commissioners are examining and commissioning different options for cost effective services for mental health and one of these options is a daily walk of 90 minutes or more. We need to learn from the past when kids got excited to spend their time climbing trees and building dens rather than spending hours inside the house.
Joe at Nature Rated understands this all too well and has put together an infographic on 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature.
Check it out below:
From baking a blackberry pie to constructing a pond or insect hotel, there’s plenty for the youngsters to get up to. Head on over to his site for step by step instructions to get your kids out and about enjoying nature.
Hope that works! What kind of outdoor activities do you like to do with your kids?
About the Author
An outdoor enthusiast, Joe is the lead editor at Nature Rated; a website which rates and reviews the best outdoor gear for people who quickly want to know what to get. He believes in no fluff, to the point reviews, which help you choose the right gear for your next adventure.
Whenever daily life gets him down he heads to the nearest lake or river with his kayak and camera spending time recharging his batteries.
These tips are so awesome. Jayce is a little too young for these activities. Now that weather is warmer we’ve been taking him out for walks and he loves it.
http://www.doreensstylediary.com
Thanks, Doreen! It’s great to walk around in the summer. I love summer.
wow. The cutest infographic I have ever seen!
It really is so cute!
going to the zoo with my friends, we’ve been 100 times but always so fun anyways
Kim – I love seeing all the animals at the zoo.
We like making birdseed pinecones
That sounds fun!
I like to play soccer with my nephew!
Those are all great ideas. We have fun exploring the outdoors by going geocaching. We have found some phenomenal sites along the way. I recommend taking a camera. You’ll discover beautiful scenery.
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