It’s funny how, as a kid, you would spend entire afternoons playing outside, coming home covered in mud and leaves, and not even caring about the state of your shoes. Flash forward to today, and the kids seem glued to their smartphones or binge-watching TV shows. I mean, how many times have I told my little ones to get outside, only for them to respond with “I don’t want to” or “There’s nothing to do!” That’s when I realised – I had to get a bit more creative if I wanted to show them just how incredible the natural world can be.
One weekend, when I was feeling particularly determined, I dragged my kids to a nearby park. Instead of the usual, “Let’s go for a walk,” I told them there would be a treasure hunt. I whipped up a list of things to find – from a fallen pinecone to a bird’s nest. By the end of the afternoon, I could see the change. Their eyes were wide with curiosity, and suddenly, the outdoors wasn’t so bad after all. It was a lightbulb moment for me. Kids are naturally curious – you just need to tap into it. Here are some of my personal tips to help your children fall in love with nature, just like we did when we were younger.
Tip #1: Plug Them Off Their Smartphones
I know, I know – it sounds like the classic “get off your phone” parent move. But hear me out! There is a time and place for digital entertainment, but if your child is spending every waking moment on a screen, it’s no surprise that nature doesn’t grab their attention. Smartphones, tablets, and video games might be fun, but they don’t offer the wonder that the outdoors can. When I made the decision to limit screen time for my kids, it felt like a battle at first. They were so used to having their phones in their hands that I thought there was no way they’d want to go outside.
But here’s the thing: when you start creating a habit of unplugging, they’ll start to appreciate the fresh air more. I swapped screen time for nature time. Instead of allowing them to watch YouTube for hours, I would get them to help me in the garden or take them to the local park for a nature walk. It wasn’t immediate, but soon enough, the kids started asking if we could go outside, and they weren’t just tagging along – they were enjoying it. It was a massive win.
Now, we have a no-phones rule during outdoor activities. This means no distractions. You’d be amazed at how much more they notice when their eyes aren’t glued to a screen. Birds, flowers, insects – suddenly, they’re paying attention to the details, asking questions, and wanting to know more about the world around them. Unplugging is the first step to helping them appreciate the great outdoors.
Tip #2: Engage Them in Outdoor Activities
One of the most effective ways to make your kids appreciate nature is by engaging them in outdoor activities. But let’s face it – sitting around and waiting for them to “fall in love with nature” won’t work. You’ve got to meet them where they are – and sometimes, that means turning nature into a game or adventure.
For example, I’ve learned that making nature fun is key. That means not just dragging them on a “boring” walk in the park, but doing something interactive. Think treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or even setting up a mini campsite in your backyard. The goal is to spark curiosity and excitement. Get them involved in setting up a tent, building a campfire, or identifying different species of trees or birds.
One of the things that has worked wonders for us is birdwatching. We started with an easy-to-use bird guide, a pair of binoculars, and some birdseed. Before long, they were fascinated by the different birds that came into our garden. We made it a game to see how many we could spot in a day. By adding a bit of competition, we turned a simple outdoor activity into something fun and educational.
The more you engage them in nature, the more they’ll start to look forward to it. And trust me, once they start enjoying themselves, it’s a whole new ballgame.
Tip #3: Show Them the World Beyond the Big City
Living in London, we’re surrounded by all the hustle and bustle of city life. There’s always something going on, but sometimes, I think it’s easy for kids (and adults, too) to forget that the world beyond the city is just as exciting – if not more so. Take your kids to places where nature is the star. National parks, the countryside, or even a peaceful lakeside can work wonders.
The first time we took the kids to the Lake District, I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would they get bored after an hour of walking? Would they miss the bright lights of London? The answer: absolutely not. They were captivated by the rolling hills, the stunning lakes, and the sight of wild animals they’d never seen before. They were running up and down hills, jumping from rock to rock by the water, and having a laugh at the sheep who seemed more interested in their lunch than in us.
The magic of these natural spots is that there’s so much to see, explore, and do. When kids have the chance to escape the city and see the real world, it can open their eyes to what they’ve been missing. Nature isn’t just some boring landscape – it’s alive, vibrant, and ready to be explored. There’s something about the stillness of a national park or the freedom of a wide-open space that makes them realise just how amazing the outdoors can be.
Tip #4: Take Them on Long Hiking Tours or Mountain Camping
If you want your kids to truly appreciate the wild, nothing beats a good old hiking tour or camping trip. It’s the ultimate way to disconnect from the world, unplug from distractions, and really immerse yourself in nature. Plus, there’s no better way to bond as a family than hiking up a mountain or camping under the stars.
I’ll be honest: our first family camping trip was a bit of a disaster. The tent wasn’t set up properly, we forgot the marshmallows, and the kids were not thrilled with the idea of sleeping on the ground. But here’s the thing – as the days went by, they started to adjust. They had to rely on each other to set up the campfire and cook meals. They helped collect firewood and started to see the value in doing things the old-fashioned way.
Sure, there were moments when they got tired or cranky, but as soon as we made it to the top of that mountain and saw the view, everything changed. It was a moment of pure awe. The sense of accomplishment and the sheer beauty of the outdoors completely blew them away. It’s these experiences that plant the seeds for a love of nature that will grow as they get older.
Tip #5: Instead of the News or Soap TV Shows, Play National Geographic or Animal Planet During Dinner
Okay, so this one’s a bit sneaky, but it works like a charm. While we love watching TV shows as a family, I’ve started swapping the usual evening shows with something a bit more educational – National Geographic or Animal Planet documentaries. The beauty of these programmes is that they’re both entertaining and informative. They show the incredible creatures that inhabit the planet, the amazing ecosystems that exist, and the challenges nature faces.
The first time I played a documentary about lions on our big screen during dinner, the kids were hooked. We watched as a pride of lions hunted, played, and interacted with each other. It sparked so many questions. “How do lions hunt?” “Why don’t they eat the babies?” Suddenly, nature became something they wanted to learn about – and this wasn’t a boring school lesson, either. This was real, raw, and full of excitement.
It’s a great way to sneak in a bit of educational content without them even realising it. The stories from the wild are far more fascinating than any reality TV show, and they might just start seeing nature as something worth preserving.
At the end of the day, getting your kids to appreciate nature isn’t about forcing it on them. It’s about sparking their curiosity, making it fun, and showing them just how amazing the world beyond the city truly is. Whether you’re out hiking, camping, or watching a documentary together, the key is to make nature a part of their world. With a little creativity and a lot of patience, you’ll soon see them looking at the world outside with wonder and excitement.