Welcome to our deep dive everyone all about families in nature. Oh, this is gonna be fun
It is you guys send in so much cool stuff
Articles about activities you can do with your family tips on nature journaling
Even testimonials from other families about how they make it work. Yeah, there were some pretty inspiring stories in there for sure
So what we're gonna do today is really dig into why nature is so good at bringing families
Closer. Yeah, let's go beyond just making a list of activities. Yeah, figure out the why exactly sounds good to me
So to get started I gotta say I was really blown away by the science
Like I know being outside feels good, but learning about how it actually affects our brains and bodies. It's pretty amazing, right?
It's wild. Yeah, like we always say nature reduces stress
But it's not just a saying there's actual science behind it. So it's real like it's measurable
It is being in nature actually lowers our cortisol levels cortisol
That's the stress hormones the one that makes us all crazy. Exactly. It can really make family time tough
So you're saying we're less likely to yell at our kids if we take them for a hike basically
Yeah, plus nature boosts those feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. It's a happy chemicals
You got it. They help us feel connected and happy so we're less stressed in a better mood when we're outdoors
Nature is like magic
Making us better people. Yeah
Well, it certainly helps
But there's more okay
What else? Studies show nature also helps with something called theory of mind theory of mind
Yeah, it's our ability to understand how other people are feeling and what they're thinking. Oh
Empathy basically. Exactly. It's super important for any relationship
Especially with family. So basically if we take a family hike, we might actually listen to each other for once
Well, I wouldn't say it's a guaranteed solution, but it definitely helps. I like it. Maybe we should all live in a tree house
Maybe not a tree house, but the point is nature sets us up to be better with each other
That's a good point and it's a perfect lead-in to the next part of our deep dive
Which is all those awesome family nature activity ideas you guys send in
Oh, yeah, and your sources didn't just list ideas. They've talked about how each activity helps us in different ways
Oh, that's awesome. So let's get started. We've got a whole year of ideas to cover
Beginning with spring. I can already picture all the flowers blooming. It's the best time of year a fresh start
So the first thing that jumped out at me was planting a family garden. Oh, I've always wanted to try that
It would be so cool taking care of those little seeds and watching them grow into food or even just flowers
It's a great way to learn about nature like those cycles of life and stuff
And you don't need a ton of space right? You could even do it on a balcony if you had to definitely and everyone can get involved
Doesn't matter how old you are the little ones can help with the watering and stuff and the older folks can share all their gardening wisdom
Totally. It's like bringing the whole family together and then watching those plants grow
It's pretty amazing, right? You get to see the bees buzzing around and how everything works together
It really is right your backyard and then you get to eat what you grow. Well, hopefully
Yeah, but it's not just about the food right? It's about working together as a family
It really is. It's about patience and teamwork and being proud of what you accomplished together
Okay, gardening is officially on my spring to-do list. What else did we get?
Well, spring is a great time to explore with all your senses. What do you mean?
Like going on a nature scavenger hunt making a list of things to find, you know, different kinds of leaves, animal tracks, wild flies,
Oh, that would be fun, especially for the kids. Yeah, it's like a big treasure hunt. It gets everyone excited about exploring
We could even make it a competition. There you go. It gets everyone looking closely at nature
You never know. You might even find a bird's nest or spotted deer. Those are the memories you never forget
Speaking of awesome things in nature spring is also when the birds come back. Oh, yeah
After a long winter, it's so nice to hear them singing again
It really is and bird watching is something the whole family can enjoy. Right? You don't need any fancy equipment
Just some patience and a love for nature. And there's so much to talk about like learning to identify the different birds
Figuring out where they live. It's amazing how far they travel to. It really is. Migrating all over the place
I'm starting to think spring might be my favorite time of year to get outside. It's definitely up there
But the fun doesn't stop when spring ends. Oh, yeah
Summer is just around the corner and it's full of family adventures. I'm already feeling the sunshine
I know right and your sources had tons of ideas for summer fun
You know one thing that really stood out in the articles you sent was this idea of adventure like summer is the perfect time
To try something new as a family, you know, yeah make some memories. We'll be talking about for years exactly
So what kind of adventures are we talking about? Well all those classic summer things
Hiking, camping, even just exploring a new park
Those are the experiences that push you a little bit outside your comfort zone
And it doesn't have to be anything crazy, right? Like you mentioned you're thinking about
Trying hiking with your family. I am yeah, it seems like a good place to start. Totally
And those sources had some great tips about picking trails that are good for families
Starting small and working your way up to longer hikes. I like that small steps
Yeah, and the best part is it's not just about reaching the end of the trail
It's about what you see and experience along the way. Oh for sure
Taking time to notice things. The little things like what kind of plants and animals you see
Maybe you find a cool rock or a feather right or just stopping to enjoy a beautiful view and you know
What I love about hiking it forces you to unplug like there's no wifey in the woods
Well, not usually. So you can't be checking your phone every five seconds
It's like a digital detox you don't even have to try for. That's a good point
We get so caught up in our digital lives these days. It's nice to just disconnect for a little bit
It really is and reconnect with each other and when you're hiking together
Especially if it's a little challenging you kind of have to rely on each other like helping each other over obstacles
Peering each other on when it gets tough. Exactly and celebrating those little victories to each other
It's a great way to build teamwork and resilience to I like that resilience
Because life is full of challenges, right? For sure
So if you can face a tough hike together as a family, you can face anything
Okay, so hiking is definitely on our summer list. What about camping? I haven't been in ages but
Reading those family testimonials makes me want to dust off the tent. It's such a classic summer experience
There's a reason why people love it so much
I remember going with my family when I was a kid telling stories around the campfire roasting marshmallows
Yeah, those are the best falling asleep under the stars pure magic
It sounds like it and those are the memories you hold on to right the sound of the fire crackling the smell of pine needles
Those sensory experiences really stick with us. They do and you know
It doesn't even have to be a big wilderness trip. You mentioned you have a small backyard
Yeah, we do you could totally set up a tent there even though it's a little bit of a
Tent there even for just one night. Oh, that's a good idea. We could even try building a little campfire
Exactly. It's all about creating those special moments together no matter where you are
Okay camping is back on the list for sure whether it's a fancy campground or our own backyard I'm in
But what about when it's really hot out and all you want to do is cool off. Ah
That's what summer is all about bring on the water adventures exactly and your sources had tons of ideas for that swimming
Kayaking paddle boarding. I'm ready for all of it. You too. And each one is a little bit different like swimming is great exercise
But kayaking and paddle boarding let you explore rivers and lakes
Oh one of the families talked about how they made kayaking their family thing
Oh, wow, they'd pack a picnic and paddle down the river until they found the perfect spot to eat. That's such a cute idea
I love it. Me too. Okay, kayak picnic is officially added to the summer bucket list
But let's not forget about those summer evenings when you're not quite ready to go inside yet. What about some stargazing?
Oh, I haven't done that in forever. It's so magical though laying on a blanket and looking up at all those stars
I used to try to find constellations when I was a kid. I did too and make wishes on shooting stars. Yes
Did they ever come true? Uh-huh. Maybe a few but even if they didn't there's something so amazing about looking up at the night sky
It makes you realize how big the universe is and how small we are
Totally and it's a great way to start conversations about all sorts of things like science mythology
It really gets you thinking. Okay, so we've got hiking camping water adventures stargazing
This is shaping up to be one awesome summer, but I'm also noticing a theme here
Oh, what's that? We've talked a lot about the activities and experiences you can have in nature
But what about the deeper stuff? Like how does all this actually strengthen our relationships with our families? That's a great question
And that's exactly what we're gonna explore next. Oh
I like it. We're gonna dive into those emotional benefits of connecting with nature as a family. Okay, I'm ready. This is gonna be good
Okay, so let's dive into those emotional benefits. I'm really curious to hear more about this me too
Mm-hmm, because it's one thing to have fun in nature, but it's another to really understand how it impacts our relationships
Exactly, you know as I was reading through all those articles. I kept seeing this phrase intentional family time
Oh, yeah, that's a good one. It's not just about being in nature. It's about being present with each other, too
I like that being present and one of the best ways to do that according to those articles is through mindfulness mindfulness
Yeah, we touched on that a little earlier. We did but how do we actually do that with our families?
Like when we're out on a hike or something. Well think about it this way instead of just walking through the woods try to really experience
The woods. Okay. I like that engage all your senses. What do you see here?
Smell yeah feel ooh
Like a sensory adventure exactly and when you focus on those details
You're training your mind to be present in the moment and not thinking about all the other stuff
We usually worry about exactly work school that giant to-do list. Just let it all go
Yeah, and be there with your family. Oh one of the articles mentioned a fun exercise. It's called find five things
I've heard of that one. So everyone has to find five things in nature that they've never noticed before doesn't matter how small
Yeah, it's a cool way to get everyone looking closely and appreciating the little things and it can lead to some great conversations, too
Totally. Okay, so mindful nature walks sensory adventures
What else can we do to make family time more intentional? Well, another big theme in your sources was gratitude
Ooh, I love gratitude. Me too. It sounds cheesy, but it really can make a difference
But how do we actually do that in nature? Easy. Just take a minute to share something you're grateful for like what anything?
The sunshine the birds singing the fact that you're together as a family. Ah, it doesn't have to be a big formal thing, right?
Nope. It can be a quiet moment little whisper to your kid or even just a thought in your own head
And we could even make it part of our family routines. Yeah, like starting a gratitude journal
Everyone writes down one thing they're grateful for after being outside or a gratitude jar
We used to do that when I was a fine and then at the end of the week, you can read all the little notes together
I love that. Okay. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside now and you know what? I think those hand in hand with gratitude
Storytelling. Ooh. Yeah, tell me more. Remember all those awesome summer adventure stories we were talking about
They're even better when you share them with a grateful heart. Absolutely. You're not just telling a story
You're passing down memories and values to your kids creating a family history and you know stories don't have to be just words
Oh, yeah. What else? Think about all those creative things families do in nature. Like what? Give me some examples
Like building fairy houses or making nature mandalas out of rocks and flowers. I've seen those. So pretty
Right or even just having a good old fashioned mud fight. I'll never say no to a mud fight. Me neither
Those are the moments your kids will remember forever. Oh and one family in those testimonials talked about making little
Museum exhibits in their backyard. Wait, really? Yeah, they'd gather cool rocks and leaves and feathers and arrange them all
Fancy with little labels. So creative. I know, right? Nature gives you so much inspiration. It really does
And the possibilities are endless. For sure. But as we wrap up our deep dive, I think it's important to remember that
Connecting with nature as a family isn't about being perfect. It's not about checking all the boxes. Exactly
It's about trying new things, being open to the experience and most importantly having fun together
And don't forget nature is always there waiting for you no matter what time of year it is
No matter what the weather's like. Even if you live in the city. Exactly. Just take a small step
See where it leads you. I promise you won't regret it. Couldn't have said it better myself. So as we sign off
Here's a little something to think about. What's one small step you can take this week to bring a little more nature
Into your family's routine? Maybe it's a walk around the block after dinner. Yeah. Or reading a book about nature together
Or even just stepping outside to look at the stars for a few minutes. Every little bit counts. It really does
And who knows it might spark a lifelong love of nature for your whole family. I think that's a wrap. Until next time, happy adventuring everyone!