It Only Takes 15 Minutes: Activities to Consider

Consider these activities to do with your children outside, for at least 15 minutes every day:

• Nature Walk - Go exploring even in your backyard if you have to. You're going to see things - you're going to experience life and be present with your children.
• Scavenger Hunt - It's really easy to walk down the sidewalk, go to a local park, or search in your front yard for items of interest. Ask you children to help you find an old penny (which you'll most likely find) or the biggest stick; maybe have them scout out birds or animals.
• Go to your local park and play with your kids on the jungle gym, rather than sit on the bench (even though on Tuesdays, it's an incredible challenge for me to resist the bench).
• Go for a hike - Get your children outdoors and in nature. Allow them to touch all the different items they may encounter on the hike - let them get dirty, and consider getting dirty yourself (sometimes it feels so good!) Hiking also let's you children exert some extra energy they'll most likely show right before bedtime.
• Depending on the season, find items outdoors to use in crafts and projects. For example: Fall leaves can be placed inside cards and sent to family members. Pick fresh flowers (even dandelions) to place in a vase.
• Don't let the weather deter you - C'mon Mom! Get wet, get muddy, get cold...enjoy your life. Playing in the rain was fun once, what happened? Having cold hands and feet while playing in the first snow was once considered the best day of my life - I'll gladly accept that happiness again.