Another go wild activity is to take a hike for nature. Nearly every neighborhood will have some place where we can walk with kids and be outside. Younger kids may not be able to walk as far as older ones, but a hike is a wonderful way for experiencing and connecting to nature.
One of the amazing aspects of nature is that it is always changing. The same walk will be different from spring to summer, to fall and winter. It will even change from one day to the next. We could go for a walk in the morning and miss something only to notice it in the evening when the light and temperature are different. Somehow though, we recognize things that are the same and that never seem to change.
This is one of the many puzzles about nature and perhaps about ourselves. Children often have a difficult time dealing with change. Time in nature can help develop an understanding and acceptance of change.
Is there a favorite place in your area for a walk? A hike can be for just a few minutes or for the whole day. Before going, we can ask kids “What do you think we might see?” We can suggest seeing dinosaurs or mermaids and help them build a framework for what they might see. This encourages them to participate in the hike.
When we are aware of our surroundings, it’s easier to notice bugs and other small creatures and the sounds of nature. Perhaps because they are so much closer to ground level, kids are often good as finding critters and small items like feathers. When we went on a hike, Big Sister found a large feather on the ground. Other treasures might be sticks, rocks, and bugs. We are fortunate to often hear birds and with the very warm weather lately, heat bugs too.
For a play-of-the-day can you and your child take a hike for nature?
Speaking of birds, follow on Twitter and tweet @123kindergarten about your favorite hikes.