My children become restless when cooped up indoors all day. Initially, they sulk, then they start creating chaos—action figures strewn across the living room floor, toy dinosaurs and Matchbox cars waging epic battles in the playroom.
As we homeschool, the moment we wrap up our lessons, the pleas begin. “Mom, can we go outside? Please, can we play outside? What’s our adventure today?”
The best answer is a trip to a nearby park with ponds. Armed with nets, they chase after tadpoles in the spring and bullfrogs later in the year. They catch minnows, shouting with delight as they leap from rocks and splash in the water. I find a spot under a pine tree, book in hand, with my dog at my side. We could also explore a local hiking trail, ideally one that leads to a waterfall with fascinating fossils embedded in the sandstone. While there are other hiking spots where we can collect interesting rocks or look for alligators, the waterfall remains their all-time favorite.
As a last resort, we might hit one of the local splash pads, but they’re just concrete and appeal only when the heat becomes unbearable. On weekends, we load our 7-year-old into a kayak and our 5- and 3-year-olds into a canoe for a family paddle down the river. We engage in these activities because if my energetic sons, who have ADHD, don’t get ample time outdoors, they end up turning our house upside down—and they feel miserable in the process.
An article by Tom Rivers in The Vancouver Sun cites Richard Louv, a key speaker at the Children and Nature Network International Conference, who notes that children today report an increase in attention issues and depression, often leading to medication. While I’m aware that my sons’ ADHD—and my own ADD and depression—aren’t solely caused by a disconnect from nature, there’s no denying its positive effect. My eldest, Jake, is invariably calmer and more focused on days we spend outside, just as I feel more centered and joyful after a day on the water.
Rivers highlights research from the University of Illinois indicating that play in “green outdoor spaces” enhances “creative play” and alleviates ADHD symptoms. I’ve noticed that my kids revel in the freedom of being outdoors, where they can play with sticks (without the constant warnings about safety), toss pinecones, build forts, and pretend to fish. They’re particularly drawn to water play, but I often lose track of what they’re up to. And I believe it should be that way. They venture into nature to carve out their own child-centric worlds, free from adult interference. Rivers discusses how parents often hover, fearing even minor scrapes. Kids want the chance to tackle those challenges independently.
Harvard professor E.O. Wilson suggests we possess an innate love for the natural world, a concept he calls biophilia. This intrinsic attraction is essential for our psychological, physical, and spiritual wellness. Simply put, children need to interact with green spaces—be it a grassy park, a sandy beach, or rocky terrains (just watch for snakes!)—to flourish and nurture their creativity. They need to make mud pies, observe trees swaying in the wind, and explore their surroundings.
Structured activities like soccer practice don’t fulfill this need. While they might be outdoors, they lack the wildness that nature offers. Children must be free to explore this wildness and develop their own curiosity in harmony with the rich environment around them.
You might hesitate to let them build a fire, but allow them to imagine doing so. You may find certain creatures—like tadpoles or worms—unpleasant, but providing them with nets for gentle catching and containers for observation can be a great compromise. The more kids they play with, the better. As Louv points out, “When kids are out with other kids, they begin to engage in creative play, inventing their own rules and games, a practice that has nearly vanished from urban childhood.”
We may need to put in some effort—like finding more playmates for our children. We might have to let go of preconceived ideas, such as expecting our child to constantly engage in math homework or structured sports. Sometimes, we have to join them outdoors ourselves (I’ve learned to keep bug spray handy; those mosquitoes can be relentless!). We also have to embrace a little messiness—mud, wet clothes, and sticky hands are all part of the adventure. We might face questions we can’t answer, like, “What’s that mushroom?” or “Is that a fungus?”—but it’s crucial that we get our kids outside in nature. They deserve it, and so do we.
For further reading on this topic, be sure to check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, immersing our children in nature is essential for their growth and development. It fosters creativity, independence, and well-being, making the effort to get outside worthwhile for the entire family.