The Great Outdoors: Activities & Resources for Family Fun

by: Fourth Grade Teacher Naomi Smith

“Hey! I caught a fish! Let's go cook it on the campfire.” These may not be the normal things you expect to hear on a playground, but that is not true at Rossman. One of my favorite times with my students is out on the playground. It’s a time students jump into unstructured play in creative and fun ways. It never ceases to amaze me how a stick can become a fishing line, camp fire, wand, or a sword when in the hands of our children. I love being witness to how creative our students can be.

Wrapping up in a sweater as the last of the cold seeps in, it is hard to believe that spring is here. Sitting here, I think of my own children and all the wonderful outdoor experiences we have had together. I recall my oldest, only in diapers, discovering a grub as we worked in the garden together. “A gub! A gub!” she exclaimed. Remembering the joy and excitement still brings a smile to my face. She and I working together outside in our garden was always a special time for us. Finding common interest in bugs and critters was the best part. Now she is off at college, and I still love to hear her exclaim about the critters she encounters while learning in college to work with animals. I remember the many hikes we have taken together as a family and how much I loved seeing my son and daughter explore the path ahead, heads together laughing. I cherish all these special moments. The great outdoors has always been a special place for my family, and while I know the outdoors brings “fun”, I also know that it brings so much more. 

One of the best parts of the outdoors is that it is an unstructured place and that lack of structure allows children to encounter the unexpected, the weird, and the wonderful. This exposure allows children to build knowledge and confidence regarding the world around them. The lack of structure allows children to wonder and follow their curiosities and gain knowledge along the way. There is no specific plan or set of rules to follow. There is no set goal or “win”. Once children become comfortable with this freedom, they can relax into the fun of discovery and begin to understand what and why nature is the way it is. When a child understands why a beetle or worm is doing what it is doing and why, the less frightening and strange the world seems. These experiences can help to develop confidence in a child. 

Another great part of the outdoors is that we get to be stewards of it. Children who experience the great outdoors have the added opportunity to develop responsibility and empathy. Once children understand intricate cycles and patterns of nature, they are able to understand how their actions can affect it. It is an easy fix to pick up a piece of litter when one understands that the trash can become dangerous for the small creatures we see in nature. It is also easy to develop empathy for nature when we understand that an egg in a nest will become a baby bird much like our child is a young one in the safety of the home. The great outdoors is a perfect place for students to explore, and spring is just the time to do it. 

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES

Have A Scavenger Hunt 
While scavenger hunts do require a bit of structure, they can be a great way for families to warm up to nature. The best part about scavenger  hunts is that they can take place in the comfort of your own backyard or while exploring a new nature place. 

Start A Nature Collection
Collections can be of physical nature items or can be a journal of collected experiences. Some children are drawn to collecting and relish an opportunity to create or add to a new collection. It is fun to create a collection of fall leaves, but it is also fun to make a leaf rubbing of the leaves you encounter in a way that does not remove items from the natural environment. 

Take A Hike or Walk
Here at Rossman, we have our own wonderful nature trail, Pollnow Nature Trail.. My students love to take this hike when the weather is good. In St. Louis, we have the benefit of so many wonderful hiking paths and green spaces. Spring is a great time to take advantage of these locations. Each walk or hike is an opportunity to see unique insects, wildflowers, and animals. AllTrails and Explore St. Louis are great resources to find excellent trails to visit.

As the spring turns into summer, I hope you take the opportunity to enjoy some unstructured family time enjoying nature. I know I will continue to do the same.