Cooped up at home with the kids? Take a Field Trip into Nature to Energize and Engage the Whole Family!
Frequently, families tell us it is a challenge to create new ways to entertain their kids. Games and toys quickly become old and it is hard to find free or affordable activities that are fun for the whole gang.
We can relate to this dilemma! CORE Coaches are always eyes-wide-open for inspiration and ideas on how to put an exciting twist on our sports lesson plans and activities.
Plus, with state-wide stay-at-home orders, you may feel even more challenged. For many of us, this new way of life means limited access to local parks, beaches are closed, and playing fields and courts are off-limits. We now have the added challenge of bringing healthy physical activity to you virtually through your phone or computer screen!
Our Solution: Turn the Great Outdoors into a Great Adventure!
Step 1: Consider what you have in your environment. Coaches may have a playground, fields, and sports equipment to work with, but you have grass, trees, bushes, leaves, sticks, rocks, animals and more! All within a backyard’s reach.
Step 2: Convert what you have, no matter the size, into a Playing Field. Front yards, backyards, walkways, driveways, trees, landscape bushes and rock gardens are all examples of outdoor areas you can use.
Step 3: Be creative! Put your thinking cap on and hone in on the unique objects in your space.
4 Ways to Use Nature as Your Playing Field
1. Create a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Challenge your child to find objects in nature. For example, “Find these 3 things and bring them back to me”: A leaf bigger than your handA stick bigger than your finger but smaller than your armA rock that is smooth
Your list can be long or short, difficult or easy. Change the challenges each time. Make them easier or harder depending on your child’s age or the amount of time you have to play.
Praise goes a long way in keeping this game engaging. Be sure to give them lots of praise when they return with their treasures (even consider creating a treasure box) so they are excited to play again!
2. Create a Series of Challenges
Point out objects in nature and provide a challenge:“See that tree? Can you run to it, run around it 3 times, and run back to me?” Wow! That was fast! Do you think you could do it even faster?”“Jump over this bush as many times as possible in 30 seconds.”“Bear crawl to the edge of the grass, do 10 jumping jacks, and run back to me. First person back wins!”
3. Create an Obstacle Course
Hold this ball/stick/item the entire raceJump over this row of sticks on one footCrawl underneath the picnic tableSomersault across the patch of grassRun to the tree, grab a fallen leaf and skip all the way back When the leaf lands in my hand, the time stops!
4. Use Objects in Nature to Make Games More Challenging
Play catch over a large shrub to increase the height of the throwDribble the soccer ball across the grass without touching the fallen leavesPlay a tag game where all shadows are out-of-boundsTake this ball, run around the tree, then pass it to the next person on your team
Nature is our Natural & Necessary Reset
We are all working hard to adjust to this new way of life with courage and patience. However, one byproduct of it: even more screen time for all of us! Now more than ever, it is important for all of us to get outside and play!
Nature resets our minds and bodies by shifting our attention away from the stress of work, school and our global emergency to the smells and movements of animals and greenery. Nature naturally helps reduce stress which lowers cortisol levels¹. Not only is this good for your kids but it’s good for you, too!
Plus, spending time and being active in nature:Helps us heal from injury and illness fasterHelps children, especially those who spend a lot of time in man-made environments, build natural tolerance and resistance to stressHelps children with ADHD relax and focusHelps lower the risk of chronic illnesses²Provides a healthy release from rigid schedules and classroom³ structure, allowing for the benefits of unstructured entertainment
Remember, nature and all of its benefits surround us no matter the size of your yard or the field in your neighborhood. Sometimes all it takes is a few fresh breaths, a walk around the neighborhood, or 20-minutes of healthy sunshine to trigger the positive effects of nature. The games and activities we can play are endless when you let your imagination guide you.
Looking for more ideas for engaging kids’ games and activities? Check out 5 ways to make games and activities fun again!
By Rachel Hoeft, M.A., Director of Program Development, CORE Athletic Training
Rachel is the Director of Program Development at CORE Athletic Training. Rachel has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Psychology & Leadership and Master’s Degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology. Rachel is currently completing her Doctorate in Sport & Performance Psychology. Her education in sport psychology and many years of competitive athletics help her work with athletes to identify and resolve many common issues that impact athletic performance and everyday life. Learn more and follow Rachel o Instagram @rhoeftspc.
References
Alter, A. (2013). How nature resets our minds and bodies. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/how-nature-resets-our-minds-and-bodies/274455/
Kruger, J., Nelson, K., Klein, P., McCurdy, L. E., Pride, P., & Carrier Ady, J. (2010). Building on partnerships: Reconnecting kids with nature for health benefits. Health promotion practice, 11(3), 340-346.
Cleaver, S. (2007). Classrooms are going green: How green classrooms are reconnecting kids with nature. Instructor, 117(3), 20-24.