10 Incredible Reasons Why Children Need To Spend Time In Nature

It Exposes To The Natural World
It Promotes Physical Health
It Improves Mental And Emotional Wellbeing
It Encourages Empathy Towards Animals
It Inspires Ecological Consciousness
It Teaches Problem Solving Skills And Concentration
It Fuels Curiosity And Creativity
It Encourages Risk Taking, Resilience And Boosts Confidence
It Raises Interest In Science
It Fosters Sensory Development

Forget about theme parks—nature is the ultimate playground! Besides being a free way to tire out our children (which, let’s face it, is probably reason enough), spending time in nature offers a multitude of benefits. Here are ten compelling reasons why children should trade their screens for some greenery:

1. It Exposes To The Natural World

Think of nature as Netflix, but with better special effects. Where else can your children witness squirrels on high-speed chases and birds doing acrobatics—live and uncut?

Nature is exciting and provides a dynamic and ever-changing environment that fosters spontaneous learning. Unlike pre-programmed digital content or structured indoor activities, the natural world is unpredictable. This unpredictability allows children to encounter and learn from real-life situations.

Take, for example, a recent picnic Mimi and I planned at the park. After setting up and starting to eat, we felt a few raindrops. We put on our waterproof hats and decided to enjoy our meal despite the unexpected weather. It was serendipitous how pleasant it was to sit and soak in everything around us. We talked about where rain comes from and what happens to food when it gets wet. Spoiler alert: soggy sandwiches aren’t very tasty! Instead of finishing our meal, we ended up with a science lesson and a great story to laugh about.

2. It Promotes Physical Health

One of the most compelling reasons children need to spend time in nature is the positive impact on their physical health. Outdoor play encourages physical activity, which is essential for combating the rising rates of childhood obesity and associated health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Nature provides an open, stimulating environment where children can run, jump, climb, and explore, promoting cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness.

Every time I play tag with Mimi and Lou in the woods, I wonder if I’m secretly training the next Olympic track team—or just ensuring they outrun me when it’s time to do chores!

3. It Improves Mental And Emotional Wellbeing

Nature has an inner calming effect. It offers a peaceful retreat from the overstimulation of urban and digital environments, helping to improve mood and increase feelings of happiness and relaxation. The fresh air and all the greenery work wonders on stress levels and anxiety. It’s hard to worry about anything when you’re busy making mud pies.

When we’re home and Mimi feels bored, she often says, “Mamã, I need to go for a walk!” She’s become quite the expert at convincing me that neither weather nor mood is a valid excuse to stay indoors. Be aware, this could be a possible side effect of regularly spending time in nature!

4. It Encourages Empathy Towards Animals

Nothing teaches empathy and compassion like a frog jumping out of your hands. Children learn to be gentle and caring when they realize animals have feelings too—or at least strong opinions about being held. By spending time in nature children learn to care for living creatures, developing a sense of responsibility and kindness.

Have you ever accidentally stepped on a snail during a rainy day nature walk with children? Let’s just say that Monsieur Escargot got a send-off fit for royalty, complete with a teary eulogy and a tiny snail-sized tombstone!

5. It Inspires Ecological Consciousness

When children spend time in nature, they start caring about it. Children who grow up appreciating the beauty and importance of nature are more likely to become environmentally conscious adults who advocate for conservation and sustainability.

Wanting to lead by example, I’ve found that even at the tender ages of 3 and 1, Mimi and Lou have already positively influenced my actions toward nature, like being more conscious of the products I choose and picking up rubbish during our outdoor excursions. With all the time they spend in nature you never know—today they’re planting seeds; tomorrow they might be saving the planet!

6. It Teaches Problem Solving Skills And Concentration

Nature is basically one big puzzle waiting to be solved. Whether it’s figuring out how to cross a stream without getting wet or why bees love flowers, children’s brains get a workout trying to make sense of it all. Spending time in nature not only enhance problem-solving skills, but also encourages critical thinking and intellectual engagement.

Plus, children learn to be patient and notice the small details—like the different patterns on butterfly wings, the behaviour of birds, or the way water flows in a stream. These skills are not only crucial for scientific learning but also for developing mindfulness and attention to detail, which can benefit them in various areas of life.

7. It Fuels Curiosity And Creativity

Children naturally ask questions about their surroundings. When spending time in nature, these questions become more profound and frequent: “Why do leaves change colour?” “How do birds know where to migrate?” “What causes the tides to rise and fall?” This sense of wonder encourages them to seek answers, stimulating intellectual curiosity and a love for learning.

Also, unlike structured toys or video games, nature doesn’t come with instructions. A stick can become a magic wand, a spoon, or a sword. This open-ended play encourages children to use their imagination to create their own games and stories, fostering creativity and innovative thinking.

If all this wasn’t enough, nature provides a plethora of materials for artistic expression. Leaves, flowers, rocks, and sticks can be used to create art. Whether it’s arranging leaves into a pattern or using mud as paint, these activities encourage creativity and the exploration of different textures and materials.

8. It Encourages Risk Taking, Resilience And Boosts Confidence

Nature is the perfect place for children to test their limits. From climbing their first tree to crossing a tricky stream, these small victories build resilience and sky-high confidence. Mimi, Lou and I may get the odd bruise or scratch, but aren’t these the best medals of bravery? Plus, we get some epic stories out of it!

9. It Raises Interest In Science

Spending time in nature is like walking in a live laboratory, where children can witness scientific principles firsthand. For instance, watching a spider weave its web, observing the lifecycle of a frog, or understanding photosynthesis by examining plants are powerful, hands-on learning experiences that fosters a love for scientific inquiry and discovery. Science classes are cool, but they’re nothing compared to the real deal.

10. It Fosters Sensory Development

The diverse sensory experiences when spending time in nature—sounds, smells, textures, and sights—enhance sensory development. This stimulation is crucial for overall cognitive and physical growth.

So there you have it, ten fantastic reasons why children need to spend time in nature. Whether it’s learning to outrun us in a game of tag or giving Monsieur Escargot a royal send-off, Mimi and Lou are living proof that the great outdoors is filled with adventures and lessons that screens just can’t offer.

As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how a little dirt and fresh air can transform my children into curious, resilient, and happy little explorers. So next time you’re tempted to let your children binge-watch Frozen or Spiderman, grab those rain boots, head outside, and let nature work its magic. Who knows? You might end up with a few epic stories and some pretty impressive bravery medals of your own!