Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer. This year though, it might be limited to backyard play or a small number of open parks. Heading outside is important and offers health benefits, such as Vitamin D, along with the ever necessary energy-burning it provides.
Make the most of the summertime with these 5 Eco-Friendly Backyard Activities you and your little ones can do in your own backyard!
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of unique things to find outside, like rocks, flowers, or feathers, for your child to explore and find in your backyard. Once they have collected all of the items, challenge them to build or design something with them for a creative sensory experience.
Create a Milk Carton Birdhouse Feeder and Go Bird Watching
Using recycled materials, create a whimsical bird feeder to hang outside. As birds fly over to snack, encourage your little ones to go bird watching from a safe distance. Teach your kids the names of the various bird species in your backyard. For added fun, see who can spot the most birds each day. Learn how to create a Milk Carton Birdhouse Feeder.
Plant a Sensory Garden
Early summer is the perfect time to plant a garden and watch it grow and change throughout the season. Sensory gardens are perfect for this because they not only teach your child about plants and gardening, but will help your child learn about sizes, shapes, smells, and more! Learn how to create a sensory garden.
Search for Twigs and Branches to Shape like Letters
Collect small twigs and branches from around the backyard to spell out short words with your little ones. Practice creating words from the same letters or try changing one letter to change the word.
Mom Insider Tip: Encourage your little ones to pick up all the twigs so the next time someone mows, they won’t run over any.
Start a Compost Bin or Pile
Starting a compost bin or pile is a great way to eco-consciously get rid of food scraps. There are many added benefits of composting at home, including enriching the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, and reducing food waste in landfills. Feeling like it might be a challenge to get started or get your little ones to help you? Hear how one mom started Composting with Kids.
