Remembering Our Way Home: Family Activities to Connect with Nature

One day, early on in the pandemic, I was having a hard time coming to grips with life as it was, and our beloved son pointed out that the clouds were “holding hands” on our drive home from Target. 

I looked toward West Mountain in Maui, and sure enough, there were two long, airy clouds stretched across the horizon reaching for one another.

“Well, I suppose that’s one way to know we’re in this crazy experience together,” I giggled to myself, as I felt my mood lighten, and my heart soften.

Children and Nature

Have you noticed how easily children connect with the simple wonders of nature? 

Whether driving down the road, taking a walk, or sitting at the kitchen table, a child’s eyes and senses are automatically drawn to the natural world. They notice subtle color changes on a tree or flower. Spot tiny bugs on the sidewalk. And, receive the sounds of birds and wildlife as if they’re part of the chorus. 

In other words, they swing the door wide open for us to reconnect with a central, vital part of who we are. 

Here in the western hemisphere, with summer fast upon us, there are countless opportunities to plug-in as joyfully children do. Whether you do it with them or by yourself is up to you!

The key is to find what speaks to your heart.

For example, if there’s an aspect of nature you already enjoy, start there. Do you want to:

• Learn about trees or spend more time listening to the birds? 
• Take a mindful walk with your dog at sunrise or sunset? 
• Sit on the beach and watch the waves crash?

In our hyper-productive world, it may be easy to see getting outside as one more thing you have to do, but I recommend letting joy rather than effort be the priority. Instead of thinking: I should start that gardening project I’ve thought about the last few summers, explore areas in your neighborhood that already have flourishing gardens or take your family to a nearby botanical garden. Just be with the various things you love and work your way up from there. You might even enjoy listening to Stepping Out In Nature or Mindful Walking in Nature episodes.

In a similar vein, if you have an impulse to learn about trees, start by simply observing them. Notice the color of their leaves, intricate root structures, and how their branches wave in the breeze.

Outdoor Fun for the Whole Family

What about your family, which aspects of the natural world do they enjoy connecting with or learning about? 

If you have young children, watch what they gravitate toward. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a plan so everyone knows his or her role, but sometimes it’s okay to let the experience be a free-for-all! 

Without a plan, our daughter will migrate toward all the flowers in her path. (We’re still working on asking for permission and offering our thanks!) Our son, on the other hand, loves to find sticks and break them in half using a wicked karate chop move. I’m still unsure where he learned it.  

Take advantage of the opportunity to chat with older kiddos about what parts of nature they’re curious about. After many months of being cooped up inside and looking at a screen, it may feel both exciting and uncomfortable to explore something new. Be patient with their needs and requests. We all need to give each other so much grace right now!

Feel free to share stories about things you loved about summertime as a child. Mine were camping (even if it meant pitching a tent in the backyard), chasing fireflies, and playing Ghost in the Graveyard, AKA a nighttime rendition of hide and seek. Those memories still give me chills!

Giving Back to Our Planet and Enjoying Our Interdependence

Another way to engage with nature is to reflect on simple, fun ways to give back to our beautiful planet. In Hawaii, it’s customary to focus on “malama aina,” or taking care of the land that unconditionally takes care of us. 

You could do this by volunteering with a local organization that restores land or builds community gardens. You could also plant a shrub, tree or garden at your home and watch how it changes each week. Consider planning a weekly or monthly trash pick-up as another option. I recommend extending the invitation to another family or two, so it’s a meaningful experience for everyone! 

Another aspect of taking care of the land you’re on is to learn about it! Who are the indigenous landholders and what was their way of life? This website and map is a beautiful beginning to that reflection and discussion. 

In closing, let’s take seriously the opportunity to deepen a relationship with the natural world this summer (and hopefully well beyond!). Even if it’s something as simple as giving thanks for the food you eat, noticing our interdependence is no small feat. There’s a beautiful children’s book by Sister Susan called “The Sun in My Belly” that explores our intimate connection with nature. A similar type of book and a great read for adults is a book called “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Enjoy your summer and the bounties of this planet!  

Written by Breon Michel