By Jan Dubinsky
During my early years of motherhood, being outside didn’t register as a necessity. My family frequented a couple of playgrounds when the weather was nice, but that was the extent of our outdoor time. Through the grapevine, I heard about Free Forest School and eventually decided to attend. I say eventually because it takes me a while to build up the courage to meet new people and try new things. Within minutes of being at our first FFS meetup, my then 3-year-old daughter fell in a creek and was soaked. I changed her (glad I had thrown an extra change of clothes into my diaper bag!) and she continued to play. I laid my infant son on a blanket and watched him delight at staring up at the trees. No toys needed! We all left that day in good spirits.
As we continued to attend FFS events, I paid attention to how other parents dressed their children in varying types of weather. After all, that creek still ran in the winter. I asked about favorite boot brands that dried quickly. I purchased a waterproof blanket to rest my baby on. My family connected with many nature-loving families while learning from them and building an outdoor routine that was becoming important to us. I became comfortable with my infant son ruffling in a pile of leaves and crawling in the dirt. This was almost the opposite of how I raised my oldest daughter. It was new to our family but we learned as we went along. We took it one step at a time.
If your family is new to venturing outside regularly together, you’re not alone! Here are some key steps to get you started.
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Start where you are. What natural areas are near you? If you live in a big city or are far from large natural areas, there may be something right near you that you never considered as an option. Community gardens, greenhouses, rooftop gardens, and urban parks are all great places to start. That grassy area next to your office building? Perfect! Even the green that is growing up between sidewalk cracks can share a world to explore. Look to the sky to explore the clouds, birds, stars, and moon.
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Set at least one intention before you start. Why do you want to get out in nature more? There are limitless benefits to being in nature but what pulls at your heartstrings specifically? Keep this intention in mind during any conflicts, hardships, or obstacles that come your way. Write your intention down so you can refer to it as needed. For example, I want to be outside more often with my family to support our mental health.
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Pack snacks and water. Depending on your child’s age, let them carry a backpack with something in it, like a small snack, book, or magnifying glass, etc. If your child asks for help carrying it, help them for five minutes, then let them continue carrying it so they can build their sense of independence.
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It can be helpful to bring extra clothes, towels, soap, and water in a pack or left in a car, if you or a friend is parked at a trailhead. Only carry what you need for your outing so you are not too loaded down with stuff.
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Expect your child to resist. If getting outdoors is new to you and your family, like with all new things, you can expect opposition. Just expect it. Knowing it is coming can make anything easier.
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Read about nature in books with your child before or while you’re out in nature. There are many fiction and non-fiction options to read for any age level. By reading these aloud together, looking at the pictures, discussing what you see and read, you can discover nature in this way before delving into the real thing! What does your child find interesting in nature? Check a book out from the library about the topic they mention. Some of our favorite reads include The Hike by Alison Farrell, Hike by Pete Oswald, and On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole. There are countless children’s books on nature and reading about it together can connect you before you even step out the door. Another idea is to read about leaves while you play with and sit in leaves! Read about sand, seagulls, and seaweed while your child rests from their play on a beach. You get the idea.
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Meet up with someone you know! Kids enjoy running and playing with other kids, so friends always help the equation.
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Seek other like-minded families. If you want to meet others already out in nature, or who want to start getting out more, research groups such as Free Forest School, Wild+Free and local hiking groups (Google where you live and hiking group).
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Bring nature to you. Try planting a seed together and watching it grow. There are tutorials on growing a plant from a dry bean online. Or bring rocks and sticks to play with inside. Another idea is to make a birdfeeder and hang it outside of a frequently visited window.
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Aim for progress, not perfection. A lot of information is listed here on what to try, but take it one step at a time. Perhaps you start with a walk around the block. When you are comfortable with that, choose the next step that comes naturally to you and your family.
