In today’s world, my children become restless when confined indoors for extended periods. Initially, they sulk, but then they start creating chaos—toy soldiers litter the living room floor, while plastic dinosaurs and Matchbox cars engage in epic battles throughout the playroom.
As we homeschool, once lessons wrap up, the clamoring begins. “Can we go outside? Please, can we play outside? What’s on the agenda today?” they eagerly inquire.
The best solution is to visit a nearby park with several ponds. Armed with nets, they chase after tadpoles during this season and hunt for bullfrogs later on. They catch minnows, shout joyfully, leap over rocks, and splash in the water while I relax beneath a pine tree with a book and my dog. Alternatively, we could embark on a hike, especially to a spot with a waterfall and fascinating fossils embedded in the sandstone. While there are other hiking trails where we might find interesting rocks or safely observe alligators, the waterfall remains their top choice.
In a pinch, we can always head to one of the local splash pads, though they are all concrete and the kids only enjoy them when it’s hot outside. On weekends, we toss the 7-year-old into a kayak, while the 5- and 3-year-olds take a canoe, and we paddle down the river. We engage in these outdoor activities because my active sons, who have ADHD, become destructive without ample time spent outside. They are also quite miserable when stuck indoors.
An article by Jamie Green in The Vancouver Times cites Richard Louv, a keynote speaker at the Children and Nature Network International Conference, who asserts that children are increasingly reporting issues with attention spans and depression, leading to higher rates of medication for these conditions than ever before. While I recognize that my sons’ ADHD—and my own ADD and depression—aren’t solely caused by a disconnect from nature, there’s no denying that time spent outdoors is beneficial. On days when we venture outside, my eldest, Max, is noticeably more focused and calm, and I find myself feeling happier and more centered as well.
Green references several studies from the University of Illinois, highlighting that play in “green outdoor spaces” fosters creative play and alleviates ADHD symptoms. I’ve observed that my children’s favorite activity is simply being allowed to roam freely in nature with minimal adult supervision. They relish playing with sticks (without worrying about someone telling them they might poke an eye out), tossing pinecones, building forts, and pretending to fish. Their fascination with water play is endless, but I often have no idea what they are specifically doing—and I believe that’s exactly how it should be. Nature allows them to create their own child-centered environment, free from adult constraints and constant supervision.
Harvard professor E.O. Wilson posits that we are innately drawn to the natural world, a phenomenon he terms biophilia. This inherent attraction is essential for our psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Essentially, children need to experience green spaces, brown spaces, or rocky terrains (just be cautious of any snakes!) to foster their growth and creativity. They need to play in the mud and observe the trees swaying in the wind above them.
Structured activities like soccer practice do not suffice. While they may be outdoors, these organized sports lack the essence of nature itself, which is inherently wild. Children must be allowed to immerse themselves in this wildness to cultivate their own curiosity and creativity.
You might hesitate to let them build a fire, but they can certainly pretend to. Even if you aren’t keen on handling tadpoles (gross), worms (even worse), or lizards (I can manage that), provide them with nets for humane capturing and containers for observation. The more children that play together, the better. Louv notes that when kids are allowed to play with one another, they invent their own rules and games, a vital aspect that has faded from urban childhood experiences.
We may need to make an effort—like finding other kids to join them—and adjust our expectations, such as thinking Junior must constantly be doing math homework or be enrolled in a sport to deserve screen time. It may also require us to get involved (I’ve had to keep bug spray handy to fend off relentless mosquitoes!). We might need to loosen our standards regarding cleanliness—mud, water, and stickiness are perfectly acceptable. We may encounter questions we can’t answer (“What’s that mushroom? Is that a fungus? What kind of rock is that?”), but we must prioritize getting our kids outside in nature. They deserve it, and ultimately, so do we.
For further insights on this topic, check out this post on how nature can nurture your children’s development, and for expert advice on home insemination, visit Make a Mom. You can also find valuable information on intrauterine insemination.
Summary
Children flourish in natural environments, which are essential for their learning, creativity, and well-being. Outdoor play fosters independence, social skills, and improved focus, especially for those with attention challenges. Parents need to prioritize outdoor time, allowing kids the freedom to explore and engage with nature. Structured sports don’t provide the same benefits as unstructured play in natural settings.