Summer goes by so quickly. Before you know it, the school year has started and chill has filled the air. Before you dig out the winter coats, take some time to enjoy the sunshine. Even for busy parents, it’s important to spend some family time outdoors (with sunscreen on, of course!). If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy the weather, try dining out in the great outdoors at a restaurant patio or terrace.

5 Reasons to Dine Outside With the Kids

• Noise. In a quiet restaurant, even the softest baby squeal can seem too loud; outdoors, on the other hand, it might not be heard at all. Among the street noise, sounds from other diners and outdoor sounds, a few cries from a baby probably aren’t going to bother others.

• Baby can stay in the stroller. Crowded restaurant dining rooms can make it difficult or impossible to pull a stroller up to the table. Outside, there is usually more room. Just pull the canopy of the stroller over baby to shield him or her from the sun. Best of all, if baby starts to fuss, just roll the stroller back and forth – the movement just might lull him or her back to sleep.

• Messy is permitted. Cheerios on the floor of a fancy restaurant? Not good. Cheerios on the sidewalk? Fine – in fact, the birds will probably eat them up before anyone even notices. Just don’t let the kids intentionally throw things to the ground – be mindful that it is still a restaurant and someone does have to clean up.

• Distractions galore. Distractions can be a two-way street. On the one hand, feeding a baby or toddler while something else is going on can be difficult; however, if he or she isn’t eating – or is being fussy – distractions can be a welcome opportunity. Let your child watch the traffic, passers by or other diners at the restaurant – then feed him or her when you get home.

• Learning opportunities. With all the activity around you, there are also ample learning opportunities for your child. Count the number of people passing by, the number of red items or the number of cars. Or point out certain colors, shapes or patterns.

Dining outdoors can be an enjoyable way to spend time together – and enjoy the summertime weather while it lasts.

It was a cool spring day here, which I love. We are both ultra-fair skinned and burn so easily, so the summer hat battle and sunscreen tantrum were not an issue. It was a perfect day to be outside, so we drove a little way out of the city and went for a hike.

Just like almost every baby, my toddler loves to be outside, especially after being deprived of sunlight all winter. The playground at our local park is his favorite place that we visit regularly. The slide and the swings are fun, digging in the sand is fun, and he loves to collect leaves and find bugs and put twigs in a sand dump truck.

Man-made outdoor fun is fun, but even better is the real outdoors. We drove out to a country park which has a hill that rises over the river and hiked up it. I say hike, it’s about a quarter-mile to the top, which is not really a hike, unless you are three and have short legs.

Toddler had a big grin on his face all the way up. There were tree roots to climb over, fallen trees to balance on and walk along, piles of dead leaves to crunch, woodpeckers to spot, rocks to pick up, other people’s dogs to pet, wild flowers to smell, ferns to stroke, mud to stand in, and lots and lots more things to investigate.

I’ve been taking him hiking since he was a baby and he rode in a sling and I hiked. I’m hoping that he’ll grow up to love and respect nature and the outdoors, but right now I’m enjoying that he has so much fun being outside.

Have you ever taken your baby out into the country? If you haven’t, and get a chance to take your baby out into the country, or if you have woodland or parkland near you, then go. It’s so different to being outside in your yard or in a playground, and babies and toddlers usually love it.

So after looking at the view and having a snack, we started back down. He needed a ride some of the way, and I’m glad he’s still just about small enough to carry. Then he got bored being carried and walked the rest of the way himself. Some of the trees were dropping seed pods that looked like furry caterpillars, which he loved, and then we found a tunnel that lead into the rocks to wonder who lived inside. We thought it might be a Gruffalo.

Back to the car, and he was fast asleep in his carseat within minutes of hitting the road. A good sign of a happily exhausted toddler!

So that was my Day, and it was lovely.

Our toddler loves to hide. Whether it’s pulling a blanked over her head and walking around like a miniature quilted ghost or sitting under the table, she loves to be hidden – and to suddenly jump out at us. Sometimes, you can just walk past the table she is underneath and hear a little giggle coming from it. Look under the table, and there she is – laughing and smiling and thinking she has pulled one over on us.

Now that the weather is warmer, we spend more time outdoors, where, sadly, she has no place to hide. Our backyard is a big open area with nary a tree to hide behind. So this year, as I was gathering up the various seeds I needed to plant our garden, I happened upon some sunflower seeds. Sunflowers are incredibly easy to grow – I’ve grown tall ones from simply planning the sunflower seeds picked out of the birdseed mix we buy – and grow tall and cheery in the summer sun.

A row or a semi circle of sunflowers would also make an excellent fort for our daughter. Simply find a sunny spot in the yard, plant the seeds and water generously. Keep an eye on the seedlings and water as needed, and in several weeks the sunflowers will begin to get taller. By the time summer arrives, the flowers just might be tall enough to hide our little girl – or at least make a fun area for her to play in while her father and I are tending to the garden or doing work around the yard.

Sunflowers are easy for even the non gardener to grow, but you could try any tall flower or plant. Hollyhocks, foxglove or even corn would work just as well. Try planting a “green” fort for your little ones — it’s simple, inexpensive and sure to be a hit!

It’s finally spring, and if you’re looking for an outdoor activity that both you and your kids will enjoy, head outdoors. Whether it’s your own backyard or in a local park, go out and enjoy the spring weather. And while you’re at it, make it a learning experience for both you and the kids with the Arbor Day Foundation’s new pocket guide to tree identification.

“What Tree is That?” is a 164 page guidebook that’s small enough to fit into your pocket or bag. Written and illustrated by the Arbor Day Foundation, the guide provides a step by step approach to identify 250 common North American trees, with beautiful illustrations that kids can easily compare with the tree in question. Trees are identified by answering a series of questions, much in the same way as a choose-your-own-adventure book. Beginning with the leaves or needles, the yes or no answers to the questions walk you through the identification process. There are also various “clues” and explanations sprinkled throughout the book that help to enrich the process and teach kids about the various parts of trees. For example, did you know that the proper term for those little brown winged fruits that drop to the ground from many maple trees in the springtime are actually named samaras? We always called them spinners or helicopters, and would throw them up in the air just to watch them come fluttering back down.

If you want to check the book out first, the Web site has a free interactive “What Tree is That?” section for the Eastern, Central and Western United States. Click on your region, then answer a few easy yes or no questions to identify the trees in your neighborhood or right outside your door. It’s a great way to get the kids involved in a fun activity that everyone can take part in.

There’s also a glossary of tree terms and an animated tutorial that teaches identifying characteristics, such as leaves, seeds, and fruits – handy for the budding arborist in your family.

Arbor Day falls on April 24th this year and is an excellent excuse to go outside and enjoy nature. Why not get the kids together and plant a tree or two, whether it’s in your own backyard or part of a community tree planting project? It’s great for not only the environment but for our own health as well.

This post was partly inspired by fellow blogger brit’s post on spending time outdoors with kids and partly by my boys’ preschool schedule of activities. Springtime is expected to be here soon and according to their schedule, lots of time will be spent going to the forest, hiking, and exploring nature’s seasonal changes. And with this additional comment: All outdoor activities will take place rain or shine so dress up your kids appropriately.

After almost 20 years in western Europe, I still can’t get over the fact that people here like to go outdoors, regardless of the weather. Coming from tropical Asia, I used to be cold- and wet-weather shy. Since I got married to a European, I’ve learned that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong gear.

What I find amazing (and great) is the fact that children here are encouraged to do the same. My boys’ preschool is situated in the middle of the city of Zurich, Switzerland, on the 2^nd and 3^rd floor of an office building. The school doesn’t have a yard, a garden or a playground. When we checked out the school before moving here 2 and a half years ago, the teachers assured us that they go out everyday to different playgrounds in the area. My husband and I took their word for it, knowing the Europeans’ affinity for the outdoors and we weren’t disappointed. The classes go out regularly on class trips to zoos, animal parks, forests, made possible by Zurich’s wonderful public transport – at no extra expense to the parents. Only under extreme weather conditions such as snow- and thunderstorms that outdoor activities are canceled. During those trips, they learn a lot of things, mainly to respect nature. They can touch and draw snails and other sedentary beings but not hurt them. They learn to take home their own rubbish. And they learn to put out the fire before leaving the camping area.

I have already observed this close connection with the outdoors when we were still living in Germany. Starting at 18 months, children could join a playgroup ran by the local mothers’ club. The kids were allowed to play outdoors in a fenced-off public playground for 3 hours, 2 mornings a week. Moms took turns to be on duty to watch the kids. There were usually 3 moms watching 15 kids and watch duty happened at most once a month. This was a great help for all moms who could go shopping, go to the hairdressers, etc. I made use of my free hours by going on jogging runs. Again the play dates were for the whole year, rain or shine and the only shelter the kids had was a shed where toys and a portable toilet and a changing table were stored. When I suggested to a friend from another continent living in Germany at that time to sign up her kids, she was horrified. Maybe it’s a cultural thing

She would have been more horrified if I had told her about Waldkindergarten (translated as forest kindergarten) which exists not only in Germany and Switzerland, but in some other European countries as well. Basically it is what the name suggests: a kindergarten in the forest. The classroom is the woods, with perhaps a hut or a boxcar container as shelter in case it gets too wet. Although my husband and I liked the idea, we decided that our kids should receive some real classroom experience as well, thus our choice of preschool.

But we do not leave the outdoor activities to the preschool alone. We reinforce them as part of family activities. We had out first springtime family walk last Saturday. It lasted for 3.5 hours over creeks, hills, and through forests and even patches of snow left over from the winter. What better – and cheaper – way to spend the first sunny day of March with the whole family?

It was feedback time at the preschool the other week and we were so happy to hear positive feedback from our twins` teachers. ‘They eat well, they play well with the other kids (most of the time), they have excellent fine and gross motor skills – and they love the outdoors.’ This last bit was uttered with some degree of surprise. Apparently not all kids in their group are keen in going out for their (almost) daily walk to the park or to the forest.

Mrs H`s post on ‘Raising Active Kids‘ got me thinking how did my boys, now almost 5, get to be so active and outdoor-loving? Probably because my husband and I are the same. And somehow we passed on our habits to the kids without consciously doing so. For those who are interested, we`d like to share some tips on how to keep kids moving:

• Leave the pram home.
  The pram/buggy is a very convenient piece of equipment for parents especially when going shopping and walking long distances. But it can also be trap that can hinder a kid’s mobility and independence. As soon as my twins could walk, I would take them for a walk around the block without the buggy. There are lots to see: the vegetable gardens, the chicken run, the creek, a short stop at the playground. They learned the joy of walking and moving early. And they also learned how to behave on the streets early. Okay, sometimes they’d end up wanting to be carried and I’d do so for a minute or so (one kid at a time) but they knew rather early Mommy couldn’t carry them for long.

I remember a friend’s son of about the same age who was used to being strapped in his buggy. At age 3, he’d refuse to budge from his buggy and walk a few steps. He is now undergoing physiotherapy to strengthen his legs.

• Take the stairs.
  Our world is filled with elevators and escalators that we seldom use stairs anymore. I remember a sign I saw once in a hospital right next to the bank of lifts that said ‘Walking is good for your heart. Take the stairs.’ Our twins love stairs, both the moving and the non-moving ones. We live in a narrow row house, with 3 storeys plus a cellar. As soon as they could crawl, I’d let them crawl up the stairs very slowly. I had no choice – I couldn’t carry 2 babies and the laundry basket at the same time.

Their preschool classroom is on the third floor and we always leave the elevator for mommies with baby prams on their way to the second floor daycare. I have to admit that stairs can be dangerous – one of my boys lost a tooth last year. Be sure to make your kids walk – not run – on the stairs.

• Leave the car home.
  Don’t let the kids get used to sitting in the car. We use public transport most of time, even when going to the daycare and now preschool 3 days a week. We prefer taking the train than sitting in the unavoidable traffic jams of the morning and evening rush hours. The bus stop is 5 minutes away, the train station 15 minutes away from our place. In bad weather conditions, we’d drive to the train station, leave the car there, and hop on the train.

I know that there are places and certain situations where a car is indispensable. But there are alternatives out there – cycling or walking, for example. They’re not only beneficial to your health but to the environment as well.

• Take walks.
  Make a family walk on weekends a routine. And make the walks are as fun and as interesting as possible: along the river, by the lakeside, a short stop at the park, perhaps an ice cream. We started our family walks when they boys were two. We started short and small: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes on flat terrain. By the time they were four, they could go on half a day mountain walking. It’s not always easy, mind you. There’d be complaints, moaning, even an occasional tantrum. But at the end of the walk, they’d glow with accomplishment as their Dad gives them the statistics: number of kilometers, altitude difference, hour and minutes.

• Do fun runs.
  Fun runs are great for little ones. Even nicer are runs for charity. My husband and I used to participate regularly in the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Run and the Chase Manhattan Corporate Challenge. We now have shifted to more family-oriented runs like the Zurich New Year’s Run. The family category consists of a 1.5 km stretch across town which we’ve done now twice. Each kids who finishes gets a medal. Remember, it’s not about winning – it’s about having fun.

• Invest in outdoor toys.
  By investing in outdoor toys, you encourage your kids to go out, move, and have fun. Rather than spending a fortune on electronic gadgets and DVDs, we’ve invested a lot on bicycles and scooters – and of course the security helmets that should go with them. They need not be expensive. My boys have progressed to their 3rd bicycles (no more side wheel balancers) and we’ve bought all bikes second hand. Their latest craze though is street hockey – and each set of about 15 US$ would keep them hours playing outside in good weather.

Their 5th birthday is coming up and my husband can’t decide between roller blades and skis. I’d say we leave the skis till Christmas.

The trend is evident: kids everywhere are becoming overweight because they don’t get enough exercise. But it’s not only the extra pounds that matter but the health problems that come with them, mainly diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.

We are happy that our kids are the active, outdoor-loving types. But that doesn’t mean to say we stop here and leave it at that. Keeping kids active is a continuing process. And it starts when we, parents, set a good example.

Natural is out, virtual is in. Communing with nature is pass?.
This was the result of 3 independents studies in the US, Japan and Spain. People all over are spending less and less time in the great outdoors. And the Internet may just be one of the reasons.

Since 1991, outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing have been on the decline, up to 25% drop. The reasons behind this decline are many and complex but the major ones are as follows:

Technology – the rapid advancement in technology gave us the Internet, TV, video games, and other multimedia playthings – things that keep us indoors more than before.

Fear – Personal security is also a big issue as more and more parents put their children under protective house arrest. Fear of crime, wild animals, diseases – these are all keeping us indoors. Except that danger doesn’t necessarily lurk outside. The Internet makes everyone vulnerable wherever they may be.

Cost – Enjoying nature is also getting costly. Park fees are on the rise and not every one can afford camping gear. Plus, time off from work can also have some financial consequences.

I think we parents owe it to our children to introduce them to nature. We don’t need to follow the footsteps of the Swiss Family Robinson and sacrifice our well-organized urban life styles. It need not be expensive – a walk in the park, a trip to the zoo, a picnic in the countryside, a day at the seaside may be enough. We simply need to teach our kids that the trees and the flowers are best enjoyed by touching and smelling and not simply by watching Discovery Channel on an LCD screen.

Source:

Biello D. Scientific American. 5 Feb 2008