Are you seeking an immersive geography, biology or art lesson? Or maybe you are getting ready to embark on your State or National Parks Unit Study or you just want to head out into nature to get grounded and explore. Either way, we have some tips and tricks so you and your kiddos make the most of your time in the sunshine (or rainshine!). Lasting memories and a variety of benefits await!
First, Why Outdoor Adventuring is Important
- It’s Hands-On: Nature offers countless opportunities for hands-on learning. From studying plant life and animal habitats to understanding weather patterns and geological formations, the outdoors is a living classroom. Learning within context happens more easily and peacefully than compartmental learning. It also allows for quicker recall and makes educational content easier to remember.
- Physical Activity: Outdoor adventures encourage physical activity, helping children stay fit and healthy. Activities like hiking, climbing, and exploring enhance motor skills, give opportunities to develop resilience, and overall physical development. An added benefit is that when these activities are a regular part of a child’s life growing up, they are more likely to continue being active in nature as adults, and reaping those benefits throughout their life.
- Mental Well-Being: Time spent in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost overall mental health. Fresh air and natural surroundings can have a calming effect on the whole family. Now, more than ever, we need a place to go where we can leave distractions behind and tap into a slower pace and just be. For some it means spirituality, and others it means reverence or sanctity. Whatever it means to you, it is good.
- Creativity and Curiosity: The ever-changing outdoor environment stimulates curiosity and creativity. Children can engage in imaginative play, problem-solving, and critical thinking as they interact with the natural world. My favorite observations to challenge the kids to find are the mesmerizing patterns within nature. Think of the spirals, waves/ripples, spots and stripes, branchings, tessellation’s, cracks, and symmetry! It’s mathematical, artistic, scientific, and it leaves me in awe every time.
Second, Essential Gear for Outdoor Adventures
If you’re heading up to the Boundary Waters for a few days, you’re going to pack differently than if you’re just hitting the trail for the afternoon. Either way, you’re going to want to have some essentials on hand. I’ve heard of some families who just have a “nature backpack” that is ready to grab and go. But for the rest of us, here’s a basic list to get us started!
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- Comfortable Clothing: Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions. Wear sturdy footwear suitable for hiking and exploring. If you know it’s going to be rainy, be prepared! We’ve had success with these OAKI rain suits. And they’ve lasted through multiple kids. (Note, they may be willing to offer a wholesale discount if you get a large group order together. They did this for our group several years back).
- Insect Repellent: Keep bugs at bay with a good insect repellent. We’ve used and like Murphy’s and Nantuckets for a non-toxic mosquito and tick deterrent.
- Water and Snacks: Stay hydrated and energized with plenty of water and healthy snacks.
- First Aid Kit: Be prepared for minor injuries with a basic first aid kit.
- Maps or GPS: Ensure you don’t get lost by carrying a map or GPS device.
- Binoculars and Magnifying Glass: Enhance exploration and observation with these tools.
- Backpack: Carry all your essentials in a comfortable, durable backpack.
- Nature Guides: Bring along Minnesota nature guides to help identify plants, foraging opportunities, animals, and insects.
- Notebook and Pencils: Document discoveries and sketch nature scenes.
- Camera or Smartphone: Capture memories and interesting finds.
- Trash Bags: Leave no trace by packing out your garbage.
- Blanket or Ground Cover: Sit comfortably during breaks.
- Whistle: For emergencies or getting attention if separated.
- Flashlight or Headlamp: Useful if you’re out late or exploring dim areas. Our outdoor adventure teacher at co-op recommends the Petzl brand of headlamps above all others.
- Sun protection and Hats: Protect against sunburn and heat in the way works for your family. And if it’s a rainy year or dusk, you may want to consider bug nets, and long loose sleeves and pants! It’s a rough year for those of us who the mosquitos like best! We used several bug hats I purchased from Amazon on a recent trip, and this was the kids favorite because you can tuck the net inside the hat simply when you don’t want it. Turns out we didn’t use that feature much up North! None of us we’re happy that we needed to wear them all day, but it helped tremendously
Ideas for Outdoor Learning
- Nature Hikes: Explore local trails and parks. Observe and identify different plant species, animal tracks, and geological formations. Discuss the ecosystem and the interdependence of living organisms. You could go out with a goal to identify 5 kinds of leaves that have fallen, or collect sticks for an art project. Plan a special way to celebrate meeting your goal if your kiddos need a little encouragement to join in on the effort.
- Bird Watching: Bring binoculars and a field guide like Birds of Minnesota. Identify different bird species, their calls, and behaviors. Consider keeping a bird-watching journal if your family gets really into it. You don’t need anything fancy.
- Nature Journaling: Encourage your child to document their observations and experiences in a nature journal. I purchased this three pack. They can include sketches, pressed leaves or flowers, and written reflections. At our co-op last year, out outdoor adventure teacher sent the kids off to be alone in the snow with a notebook and writing utensil. The kids came back with reflections and drawings that we assembled into a priceless keepsake. There is a wisdom that settles when we detach from our distractions and spend some alone time with the sounds and sites of nature.
- Star Gazing: On clear nights, explore the night sky. Identify constellations, planets, and stars. Use a telescope or star map for a closer look. We’ve talked about getting a telescope like this one for a family Christmas present. It has great ratings and is middle of the road, cost wise.
- Outdoor Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments in nature. Study soil composition (shake up a scoop of soil in a clear jar and see how things separate over the next view days), test water quality in a nearby stream (you can test your home water too!), or compare the Gregorian calendar (solar) to the Ojibwe calendar (lunar) with this great resource. Possibilities are endless.
- Geocaching: Engage in a real-world treasure hunt using GPS devices (This is the one we purchased. Much better than having the kids use my phone every time we go out!). Geocaching combines technology with outdoor exploration and problem-solving as you follow coordinates and hunt for the hidden geocache. We have done it while traveling around the US, and it can be done anywhere, anytime. The kids got into it so much that they started creating and placing their own caches around our city (you can find our caches by searching wildchild2468 on the geocache app)! Here’s a proud moment from a couple winters ago after finding a tricky one down a trail. You can see the black bottle my daughter is holding. It contains “swag” you can swap out, and a logbook where you use your alias to document you’ve found it.
Conclusion
Including outdoor adventuring in your homeschool will enrich school year and foster a love for nature. By being well-prepared and incorporating a variety of learning activities, your family can engage in memory making that will instill a lifelong love of nature. If desired, you can plan follow up activities to reinforce some of the learning that’s taken place (research projects, creative writing, building models of what you’ve found, etc.) So pack your gear, embrace the adventure, and watch your child thrive in the great outdoors!
What activities or resources have helped you during your outdoor adventures? Any favorite places here in MN or activities your kids, young or old, never tire of? Leave a comment below!
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