Inside: How to Get Kids Off Technology and Into the Garden.
These days, getting children away from screens and outside into nature has become more challenging than ever. Like many mums, I’ve struggled to balance my children’s fascination with technology and my desire for them to embrace a slower, more fulfilling lifestyle.
While I don’t oppose technology, I believe there’s so much more to life than hours spent on tablets, phones, and game consoles. Especially as the colder months roll in, kids often hibernate indoors with their devices. So how do we, as parents, guide them towards a more balanced way of living?
This guide offers a combination of practical solutions, from introducing responsibilities like animal husbandry to creating garden-based activities that your children will love.
By giving them tasks that connect them with nature and provide a sense of accomplishment, we can help our kids develop lifelong habits of being outdoors.
Why Are Kids Spending So Much Time on Technology?
It’s important to understand why children today are spending increasing amounts of time on screens. As parents, we know the pull of technology can be intense. Here are some key reasons:
- Instant Gratification and Entertainment: Modern technology provides instant entertainment. Whether it’s gaming, YouTube videos, or social media, children get immediate feedback and pleasure from these platforms. Unlike traditional activities that require patience, tech-based entertainment offers constant stimulation.
- Convenience for Parents: For busy families, screens can be an easy way to keep kids occupied, especially when parents need a moment of peace or to catch up on work. While many of us are aware of the potential downsides, it’s understandable that we might lean on technology during challenging times.
- Lack of Outdoor Options: In many urban or suburban areas, access to outdoor play spaces can be limited. Combine this with the rise of indoor entertainment, and children are more likely to gravitate towards what’s readily available—technology.
- Peer Pressure and Trends: As kids grow older, peer influence plays a significant role. If their friends are spending time on social media or gaming, children often feel the pressure to do the same in order to fit in.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic shifted many aspects of our lives online, from schooling to socialising. This has had lasting effects, with children becoming even more accustomed to tech-based interaction.
The Benefits of Being Outdoors
Before diving into the practical ways to engage children with outdoor activities, let’s highlight the benefits of getting outside—both for kids and for families as a whole:
- Physical Health: Fresh air and physical activity are essential for a child’s development. Running, jumping, and playing outdoors helps children build strong muscles, improve coordination, and boost their overall physical fitness. It’s also linked to better cardiovascular health and the prevention of childhood obesity.
- Mental Well-Being: Being outdoors reduces stress and anxiety. Studies show that spending time in nature lowers levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, and enhances feelings of relaxation and happiness. This is especially important for children who may feel overwhelmed by the constant stimulation of technology.
- Creativity and Imagination: Nature encourages imaginative play. Whether they’re building a fort, climbing trees, or observing animals, children can tap into a world of creativity that simply can’t be replicated indoors. The open-ended possibilities of the natural world allow kids to develop problem-solving skills in organic and enjoyable ways.
- Connection to Nature: Spending time outdoors fosters a sense of connection to the environment. Children who spend more time outside are more likely to develop a sense of responsibility for nature and a desire to protect it as they grow older.
- Enhanced Focus and Academic Performance: Outdoor play can actually improve focus when it’s time to get back to indoor activities, including schoolwork. Breaks outside increase attention span and help children reset after periods of concentration. Research shows that students who spend more time in natural settings tend to perform better academically.
Engaging Your Children with Outdoor Responsibilities
If your children are reluctant to go outside, giving them responsibilities that they can’t ignore can be an effective approach. When kids feel responsible for something tangible—whether it’s an animal or a garden—they’re more likely to embrace it. Here are some practical ideas for getting kids outdoors, while fostering a sense of responsibility:
1. Animal Husbandry: Taking Care of Pets and Livestock
Introducing animals into your family’s life can have incredible benefits. Not only do animals provide companionship, but they also encourage children to step outside every day to take care of their responsibilities. Here are some great starter animals to consider:
- Chickens: Chickens are relatively low-maintenance and are perfect for children as young as 8. Collecting eggs each morning is an immediate and rewarding task. Chickens need regular feeding, watering, and coop cleaning, all of which are manageable for kids.
- Rabbits: Rabbits make gentle pets that younger children can help care for. Kids can be responsible for feeding and cleaning their hutches. With their playful nature, rabbits are a delight to interact with, and their care offers regular engagement outside.
- Ducks: Ducks add a fun twist to backyard animal care. They can eat pests in your garden and also lay eggs. Ducks need access to water, which makes caring for them a bit more involved, but they are hardy animals that children can manage with supervision.
- Goats: Goats are a more involved but rewarding responsibility for older children. If you have the space, goats can help keep weeds down and can also provide milk. Children can help with feeding, milking, and even hoof care, giving them a deep connection to these lively animals.
- Bees: Beekeeping is a unique and educational project, perfect for older children who are curious about nature. With adult supervision, kids can help with hive inspections, honey extraction, and learning about pollination. Bees also support your garden, making it a win-win for nature and family learning.
2. Gardening Projects and Nature Activities
If you’re not ready to take on animals, gardening and other outdoor projects can still provide your children with a meaningful connection to the outdoors:
- Seasonal Gardening: Giving children their own garden beds or plots allows them to take ownership of their space. They can grow seasonal vegetables, herbs, or flowers. This hands-on experience teaches patience, responsibility, and gives kids a sense of accomplishment when they see the results of their work.
- Composting: Starting a compost bin is a great way to teach kids about recycling and sustainability. They can be in charge of adding food scraps and turning the compost to keep it aerated. Watching organic matter break down into rich soil is both fascinating and educational.
- Building Projects: If your children enjoy hands-on activities, consider building a birdhouse, insect hotel, or even a treehouse together. These projects not only provide an outdoor outlet but also encourage creativity and problem-solving.
- Wildlife Care: Create a wildlife-friendly garden by adding bird feeders, bird baths, or small animal shelters. Give your children the responsibility to check the feeders or look out for visiting wildlife. This creates a daily connection with nature and teaches kids about the animals in their environment.
Simple Outdoor Chores and Exploration
Sometimes the simplest chores can bring a sense of purpose to children’s time outdoors. Here are a few tasks that are easy to introduce and help cultivate a love for being outside:
- Yard Maintenance: Tasks like raking leaves, gathering firewood, or shoveling snow can be surprisingly fun for kids when turned into games or races. Giving them a sense of purpose through small, achievable outdoor chores builds confidence and keeps them active.
- Scavenger Hunts: Design a nature-based scavenger hunt that changes with the seasons. Look for things like specific leaves, rocks, animal tracks, or plants. This gets kids moving and helps them discover the richness of the natural world.
- Geocaching: If your kids enjoy technology, geocaching might be a great way to merge their love for screens with outdoor exploration. Using GPS to hunt for hidden “treasure” in parks or nature reserves is a fun way to encourage adventure while being physically active.
Creating Lasting Change: The Key to Consistency
Transitioning from tech-heavy days to a lifestyle that embraces the outdoors won’t happen overnight. But with patience and consistency, it can be done. Here are a few tips for making these changes stick:
- Start Small: Don’t overwhelm your kids with too many new responsibilities at once. Start with one or two outdoor activities or tasks and gradually build from there.
- Lead by Example: Kids are more likely to embrace the outdoors if they see you enjoying it too. Spend time in the garden, take family walks, or work on projects together. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
- Make it Fun: Turn outdoor chores into games or challenges to keep things engaging. Praise their efforts and celebrate the results, whether it’s fresh eggs from the chicken coop or flowers blooming in their garden.
- Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries for screen use, especially during outdoor time. Having clear tech-free times can help balance their day and reduce reliance on devices.
By incorporating animal care, gardening projects, and simple outdoor chores into your children’s daily routines, you can create a sense of responsibility that draws them away from screens and into the fresh air.
Whether it’s feeding chickens, building a birdhouse, or just raking leaves, these activities connect kids to a slower, more fulfilling lifestyle. With consistency and creativity, you’ll see your children flourish as they rediscover the joy of being outside.