15 Summer Activities to Get Your Kids Outside Enjoying Nature

What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summer time with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and if you're lucky the ocean.

As much as kids love Summer holidays, keeping them busy can be a challenging! If you've not got the luxury of a Summer camp then it's up to you as parent to find things to keep them busy.

Failing that, your kids might spend all their time in front of a computer, tablet, phone or other screen and research has shown that spending too much time in front of a screen can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of children.

Studies have shown that taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering with mental health problems and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, a daily walk in nature has shown decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.

One in four people are estimated to experience bouts of mental health problems and it's on the rise. Prescription medications of antidepressants are also at a record high level and the demand for more invasive treatments are also on the rise. Health officials are examining different options for cost effective services for mental health sufferers and one of these options is a daily walk of 90 minutes or more. Let's go back to a time when children got excited to spend their time climbing trees and building forts rather than spending hours in front of the tv.

Joe at Nature Rated understands this all too well and has put together an infographic of 15 Summer activities to get your kids outside enjoying nature.

This is what it looks like:

From baking a blackberry pie to constructing a pond or insect hotel, there's plenty for the youngsters to do. Head on over to his site for step by step instructions to get your kids outside and into nature.

​Thank you Joe for guest posting.
An outdoor enthusiast, Joe is the lead editor at Nature Rated; a website which rates and reviews the best outdoor gear for people who quickly want to know what to buy. He believes in no fluff, to the point reviews, which help you choose the right gear for your next adventure.  Whenever daily life gets him down he heads to the nearest lake or river with his kayak and camera spending time recharging his batteries.

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We are trying to raise our boys to explore, create, and use their imaginations so their screen time is very limited.  I love these ideas to get kids outside.  We also want our kids to have a good work ethic and a great way to instill this is to let them help with outside chores and projects.  

The boys helped clean the overgrown mint out the flower beds to make room for perennials.  They have also been working hard in the community garden this summer.  

Watch this cute video of the boys showing off their catch, which we did cook for dinner.

The boys love to go fishing and have already been twice this summer.  Luckily we live close to the lakes and their Dad likes taking them.  Fishing is fun, but just being outside at the lake is fun too.  They could spend hours looking at rocks, shells, and exploring trails.  

​What are your favorite ways to get your kids outside?

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​Linking up at Share the Wealth, Mommy Moments, Dream, Create, Inspire, Create with Joy