Nature-deficit disorder, as coined by American author Richard Louv, should be adopted as a scientific term. Research shows spending time outside delivers mental and physical health benefits, makes people feel more relaxed, less stressed, more invigorated and gives them a break from the pressures in their daily lives. Despite 55% of Canadians believing that nature relaxes them, a full 56% of Canadians feel they don’t get enough outdoor time. Ugh. Sure, we can blame technology, full calendars, or gross weather. But in the end, I would go even further. I believe that we not only have a tendency to place a higher value on structured activities as opposed to free play. But I also think that we avoid the unknown. A minute-by-minute schedule is comforting, somehow, and once it’s all done, we feel accomplished and successful. Going off to search for a four leaf clover that may never materialize is comparatively frightening. Without teaching or kids to venture into the unknown, however – without the safety net of the construct of a video game or piano lesson – we are failing them. Ourselves too.

100 Summer Activities for Kids

A few thoughts I have for enjoying the great outdoors follow. I bet you can add a ton more!

1. Blow dandelions (perhaps into the yard of a nasty neighbour).
2. Go on a scavenger hunt like I used to do during Brownies and Girl Guides.
3. Roll down a grassy hill.
4. Jump into the water with clothes still on.
5. Build a fort out of driftwood, bits of rope and anything else we find on the beach.
6. Float a paper boat in the water.
7. Dance in the rain
8. Hug a tree
9. Watch a bee collect pollen
10. Go for a walk and find the perfect walking stick
11. Lemonade stand
12. Plant a kids’ fairy garden
13. Create a Bug Farm
14. Make a daisy chain
15. Jump off a low cliff – safely
16. Make a sand castle
17. Bury a parent in sand
18. Flood a garden bed and play in the mud
19. Hang out at a water park
20. try skateboarding
21. Make your own popsicles
22. Put inchworms in a jar
23. Have a water fight
24. Stage a Kids’ Photo walk
25. Make goop

While we are fortunate to live deep in nature and lead a highly active lifestyle outdoors, it became incredibly clear to me that because of our busy lifestyle, simply ‘being outside’ isn’t enough. We need to add the mindfulness that helps us escape, unplug, discover simple pleasures and truly take notice of the beauty around us. Though we ski, hike, sail and kayak – the activities can easily turn into simple exercise. Maybe the boys don’t even notice the mountains, the water ripples or the tiny trail mushrooms. If this is the case, we might as well just be in a dingy gym.

So this summer, my goal isn’t just to ‘get outside’. It’s to pay attention and practice being mindful of nature. And I am determined to give my boys some of the memories from my childhood that sent tingles up my spine whenever I recall them.

Summer Mindfulness

While less than half of Canadians (40 per cent) get outside every day, more than half of Canadians (56 per cent) have a desire to get outside more often.

Even though 27% of Canadians feel ‘too tired’ to go explore nature – it doesn’t have to be onerous. We just have to open the front door. Look at some stars. Learn to whistle with a blade of grass. Even a 60 second activity can help revitalize us. 83% of us have a park close to our home, and 1/5 of us live within 250 metres of a park!

So help me stick to my summer plan, and I encourage you to find a few things on the list that tickle your fancy too. Just remember to look around and be mindful while you are out there. If we don’t teach our kids to love the planet, our environmental situation can only become worse.