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    Home » Exploring the outdoors #naturalchildhood

    Exploring the outdoors #naturalchildhood

    March 13, 2013 By Emma Vanstone 5 Comments

    Last Saturday the children and I were invited to an event at a local National Trust site to learn about Project Wild Thing.

    I had my eyes opened to some shocking statistics.

    The current generation of children are the first to have an expected lifespan shorter than their parents. How can this be? We have access to healthy food, medical care is always improving and we understand what is needed to keep us and our children healthy. So what is going wrong?

    According to UNICEF our children are also the unhappiest in the Western World, and a big factor in this is that children are not getting outside enough. Our easy and constant access to TV, video games, and possible parental fears of dirt and dangers of playing outside as well as shrinking play spaces are meaning our children are not getting the connection with nature and the outside playtime they need.

    I know from experience how easy it is to sit kids in front of the TV or an iPad, and how much effort it can be to get outside sometimes, but I also know that being inside all day means we all get grumpy, cross with each other and restless. I know that when I do make an effort and get everyone out, something I try to do once a day at least, we all feel so much better and come home invigorated.

    I am lucky, we have a nature reserve at the side of our house, I have almost instant access to a green space where we can build dens, roam around or collect pinecones and sticks. Not everyone is in that position, I understand that, but as a nation we are making out children unhappy and damaging their future.

    Project Wild Thing is trying to help children reconnect with nature. This app is fantastic, you enter an amount of time and it gives you an activity you can do in that amount of time.

    I am inspired to get my family out and about more than we are, and reduce our screen time. I will let you know how we get on.

    The event on Saturday was one of the best blogger events I have been to. In the morning the children made bird feeders and mud sculptures while the blogger mums were given a sneaky preview of the Project Wild Thing film, which I can tell you now is going to be pretty amazing!

    This is little H with her snail.

     

    mud sculpture

     

    In the afternoon, we had the great pleasure of helping the children build a den, and this was no ordinary den, it was the best den I have even seen. We usually build ours around a tree, this one stood up by itself.

    Den

     

    Then we added some sticks, followed by leaves and then bits of tree. What do you think?

     

    Make a den

     

    The highlight of the day for little S was toasting a marshmallow.

     

    Tossting marshmallows

    Z was quite impressed by this also.

    DSC_0076

    Thank you very much to the National Trust for an amazing day, and do go and take a look at Project Wild Thing.

    Last Updated on March 17, 2014 by Emma Vanstone

    « Science X – Stimulating Nature
    Learning about Swordfish »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eddie - The Usual Mayhem

      March 13, 2013 at 2:20 pm

      My kids would love this! We’re outdoors as often as possible and they’re always up for getting filthy 🙂

      Reply
    2. Actually Mummy...

      March 13, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      I signed up for this too but couldn’t make the first day – looking forward to forcing myself outdoors a bit more!

      Reply
    3. TheBoyandMe

      March 13, 2013 at 11:43 pm

      We had such a great day, although the facts that David told us gave me chills which haven’t cleared yet. It was great to see you guys again and all the children really enjoyed themselves, didn’t they?

      Reply
    4. Coombemill - Fiona

      March 14, 2013 at 12:24 am

      Loving the mud snail. So good to get back to basics and it looks like there were several bloggers there too. A fun packed outdoor fun day all round.

      Reply

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