https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:33:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743309 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 18:09:18 +0000 looch 2743309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: My son was at a preschool on the grounds of a nature center and it was a phenomenal experience for him. They have an animal center and I credit the handlers for developing his love of animals. </p> <p>He's going back again this summer for camp! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743308 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 18:07:36 +0000 gilmoregirl 2743308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another for Hike It Baby. My husband and I camped and hiked frequently before having kids but struggled to get back into it after our first was born. We are not super skilled but enjoyed hiking and parks etc. Hike it Baby has been a game changer and we spend way more time outside now hiking, even with a 3 year old and 3 month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743251 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:20:16 +0000 hellobeeboston 2743251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love this.....</p> <p>We have enrolled our older son in a Nature Preschool through a wildlife sanctuary/preservation in our area - it's entirely nature focused learning and it's awesome.... Knowing that he (and our younger son eventually) will only be there for 2 years I'm really hoping the the boys (And us!) learn some really valuable life lessons that we can take with us from here on out. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743249 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:18:13 +0000 littlejoy 2743249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't realize it at the time, but moving to the Pacific Northwest set us up to raise "outside children". I'm hoping that living in an area that is fiercely protected by its residents will encourage our kids to be defenders of nature too. </p> <p>Aside from that big picture stuff, we get outside every day. Our LO goes to a school that spends 3+ hours outside per day. We garden, walk, hike and camp all year. I'm hoping LO continues loving nature - it's the only reason I actually like limiting screen time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743240 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:51:51 +0000 Littlebit7 2743240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so hard for us. Both DH and I grew up playing outside, all day, in mud and dirt, pretty much unsupervised. I wouldn't say that I'm hardcore super outdoorsy (I hate camping) but I love hiking, skiing, the beach, and generally being outside.<br /> We live basically in NYC. Nature pretty much is limited to urban parks with little to no grass. We really struggle with how to expose her to nature. We stuff her in a frame carrier and go hiking as much as she'll tolerate<br /> We've been toying with the idea of staying in our cramped rental (that we have a sweet deal on) after #2 comes along. This would allow us to purchase something for weekends and vacations in the Hudson valley or PA. Buying something here would max us out and really cut into our vacations too (I'm talking easily over 1.5 million. That is crazy with a capital C). It would allow our kids to grow up with a yard, animals, a garden, yard work, and just generally exploring nature. We are torn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743239 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:51:25 +0000 Corduroy 2743239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We joined Hike It Baby and participate in their hiking/outdoor challenges. We also play outside before coming home after daycare and make sure we play outside daily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743227 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:58:23 +0000 sunnyday 2743227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We get outside.</p> <p>Limit screen time, make outdoor habits. Answer their curious questions about anything outside.</p> <p>We live in a built up area with quick access to boonies (across the road) and escape the crazy as often as we can. We can't instill anything if we don't live it ourselves! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743226 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:57:13 +0000 travellingbee 2743226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Where we live, it is ungodly hot in the summer. Also there are TONS of mosquitoes and my youngest is allergic. This is not conducive to spending lots of summer time outside.I grew up in an area that was in the mountains and we spent most of our free time outside in beautiful weather. I'm sad that my kids don't have that. We're also in a city so there isn't nature other than parks. We try to take trips to cooler less urban areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743205 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:27:45 +0000 gingerbebe 2743205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We set up a patio play area that's covered so even when its really hot the boys can play outside. I planted things this year that they can pick themselves and eat - both for nature and also to encourage eating fruits and veggies. I have DS water the plants with me. We talk about all the fruit trees we have in our yard and when things are ripe or not. We point out animals a lot and we like to take them to u-pick farms on the weekends, which usually also have animals to pet.</p> <p>We prefer vacationing in Hawaii, although it will be a minute before we go back. We do occasionally take them to the lake or pool to get a taste of the water. DS1 especially loves water play.</p> <p>DH and I are not particularly outdoorsy - we don't enjoy camping and we don't like bugs or being super hot - but we like peaceful settings and vistas. So we're more the type to rent a vacation home rather than pitch a tent. I'm fine with that - as long as we can expose the kids to those spaces (and go home to take a hot shower afterwards). When I was a teenager going through a lot of moods, I would go driving along PCH and listen to the waves crash and it was a really important coping mechanism for me. Later as an adult, I would feel the same peace when I walked in the woods or gardened, so I want our boys to have that kind of easy method of seeking solace. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743177 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:52:25 +0000 petitenoisette 2743177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.kiwi: That's a great idea about the vacation choices - we recently went to San Diego and we got caught up in the attractions there, which even though they were mostly animal/nature oriented were not the same as just being out in an unadorned environment and I definitely regretted after the trip not taking more time to just be purely outside. </p> <p>I agree with you on being careful about electronics - also a lot of this is obviously easier during the summer time but I know I need to be better about not totally hibernating during the winter!</p> <p>@looch: Yes, I definitely think overscheduling kids has a negative effect on their desire / ability to be outside. </p> <p>One thing I think is important is just leading by example. I have been getting really into gardening and so I think it's good to show my daughter that I like being outside. I'm also working on limiting my use of electronics around her and not feeling like I need to fill up every non-occupied second on my phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743166 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:33:11 +0000 looch 2743166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it gets really difficult once kids start school...which is when I think they really need to be outside to balance out all that indoor time.</p> <p>They start to want to hang out with their friends and get a taste of activity places and it gets harder and harder to convince them that running around in the backyard is the best thing ever.</p> <p>So, to combat that, we keep our summers very open and go outside as soon as we can in the morning, sometimes as early as 8 am. My son is really into the life cycle of plants right now, so we've planted a few areas around with seeds and will do some planters this weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743164 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:28:03 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2743164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for starting this thread. I'd love to read what others do!</p> <p>We choose nature-outings over other things. On a free Saturday instead of taking them to the children's museum we would rather take them hiking.</p> <p>Similarly we will choose our vacations in nature (beach, camping, Yosemite, woods) versus Disneyland and cities. Don't get me wrong I want them to explore cultures in cities but I want to prioritize developing the love for the natural world while they are young.</p> <p>We don't have a tv and greatly limit screen time. I think screens and technology are useful and not bad but also can be big competitors to kids enjoying and exploring the outdoors. Also in general we try not to live too materialistically- we don't buy much for them and try to be minimalistic. Again things/toys are not bad they're good! But I believe it's another competitor in instilling a love for the natural world in children.</p> <p>When we are outdoors for whatever reason (at the park and on walks) I encourage them to get dirty and explore dirt/rocks/pinecones/sticks. Actually I don't encourage it they naturally gravitate toward it and I let them!</p> <p>Part of me is sad because we live in an urban expensive area and they don't have a backyard or front yard to explore.</p> <p>My oldest just turned 3 but especially as he gets older we will read and learn about the natural world and I want to learn with him to identify trees and shrubs, garden with him, learn about animals and environments, etc. etc.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instilling-love-of-nature-in-our-kids#post-2743153 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:12:54 +0000 petitenoisette 2743153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is in reaction to the withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and then the thread about kids melting down when they have to go inside. Our children seem to instinctively know that being outside is good for them, but for so many people that desire to be in nature seems to dissipate with age. I know when I was a teenager and in college I had little appreciation for nature (despite attending college in an idyllic natural setting). My high school students made me so sad the other day joking about how they hate being outside. :crying: I definitely appreciate the outdoors now and want to do more to keep that love alive in both myself and in my children. </p> <p>What are you doing to instill a love of nature and obligation to protect the environment in your kids? </p>