Teaching kids to appreciate nature and the outdoors can be done through these simple steps.
I personally believe that teaching my kids to appreciate nature and the
outdoors will bring numerous benefits for them. It will develop the value of
gratefulness in them for being given the chance to marvel at the beauty of
their surroundings. I also believe that raising kids who are appreciative of
the environment will develop in them the sense of responsibility when it
comes to waste management as they grow up.
How To Teach Your Kids To Appreciate The Outdoors
Being outdoors makes children healthy
Aside from developing values in children, letting them play outside,
especially in the dirt, makes them healthy. The germs and bacteria in the dirt
will help strengthen their immune system.
I have personally observed this in my kids. When we were in Metro Manila where
they had limited exposure to garden soil, they always had allergic
rhinitis.
However, when we stayed in the province for a two-month vacation, we gave our
two children unlimited time to play in the yard. They were picking up stones,
digging into the soil using their hands, and plucking leaves from the plants
in the backyard.
Throughout our stay in the province, our two toddlers never developed allergic
rhinitis. Indeed, what science said about the advantages of letting kids play
outside is very accurate.
Ways to expose kids to nature and the outdoors
Some people, particularly those from the city, may think that exposing kids to
nature and the outdoors may require more effort since they are in the urban
jungle. While that is true, it’s not impossible. In fact, there are spots in
the city that allow people to commune with nature, such as those in Quezon
City.
Anyway, if you have no idea on where to begin, here’s how you can do it:
1. Let them play outside
Allowing kids or encouraging them to play outside is probably the best way to
expose them to the outdoors. It can be in your garden or backyard; it doesn’t
have to be necessarily in the streets because that may be unsafe for them.
2. Take them to parks
The public park is a great location to expose children to the outdoors. Public
parks are usually spacious, they are like oases in the middle of the city or
town because of the abundance of plants, and they are generally a safe place
for children because they are well-lighted.
Just the same, always keep a keen eye on your children when you take them to
public parks because of the influx of people in such plazas.
3. Let them experience the joy of camping
Camping is an exciting an activity, not just for children but for the entire
family. I personally want to take my kids out camping on a weekend given the
chance to do so.
There are actually many options for family friendly camping grounds near Metro
Manila such as those in the following locations:
Bulacan (list from Laquatsa blog)
- Casa del Pueblo de Cabanacan
- Kampo ni Juan
- Camp Riverside
- Te Amo DRT Camping Place and Resort
- Ysayas Resthouse and Camping Site
- Camp Marupok
- Blue’s Farm and Resort
Cavite (from Tripzilla)
- Nurture Wellness Village
- Campsite in Alfonso
Rizal (list from KKDay)
- Mt. Purro Nature Reserve
- Phillip’s Sanctuary
- Singalong Nature Campsite Hill
- Quest Adventure Camp
- UCM Adventure Park
- 3 Springs Mountain Park
- Treasure Mountain
- Lambingan Hills
- Pili Paninap Farms
- Tinipak Camping Ground
Pampanga
- Clearwater Resort
- Clark Philippines
4. Travel with your kids
I’ve always believed that traveling with kids is one way of giving them
wonderful memories and experiences. It doesn’t have to be in a far off or
exotic location. You can take them to a nearby beach resort and let them bask
in the sun and enjoy the seawater. They’ll surely appreciate the happy times
with you.
5. Give them toys that mimic the thrill of being outdoors
I do understand that not all parents are comfortable in taking their kids
outside in view of the pandemic. Some families may also not have an outdoor
space or garden within their home. In such cases, they can opt for books and
toys that can give kids the thrill of experiencing the outdoors.
There are jungle-themed toys, such as the indoor camping collectibles from
McDonald’s Happy Meal. Kids will enjoy completing the Jungle Survival Kit with
the P50 Happy Meal add-on promo
The McDonald’s Happy Meal features Pokémon toy collectibles and includes eight
different designs that will help children become masters of the jungle through
exploring and training activities.
With this new Pokemon-themed Jungle Survival Kit, holiday celebrations can be
much more creative by setting up an indoor camp that families can explore and
enjoy. This will not just inspire curiosity and wonder, but will also let the
kids exercise their practical skills with a unique indoor camping experience!
The Pokemon-themed Happy Meal is also a perfect gift for the young ones,
young-at-heart, and Pokémon fans because it can be purchased with McDonald's
festive, ready-to-gift, and limited edition Christmas-themed Happy Meal Boxes.
Surprise nieces, nephews, and even friends with the fun Pikachu-themed toy set
this coming Christmas.
To echo the beloved anime’s slogan, encourage kids to “catch ‘em all” and
collect all eight designs for the full indoor camping experience! Through the
Add-On promo, customers can even get a bigger bang for their buck when they
add only P50 to any meal to avail of an additional Burger McDo Happy Meal with
a Pokémon toy collectible!
Introduce life and survival skills to kids through the concept of camping
indoors with McDonald’s NEW Happy Meal featuring a Pokemon-themed Jungle
Survival Kit! Even get the chance to score an affordable deal with the Happy
Meal Add-On Promo. Order now via McDonald's Dine-In, Take Out, Drive Thru, or
McDelivery!
To learn more about these collectible toys, just head on to the
McDelivery website
or app and follow McDonald’s Philippines on
Facebook
to stay up to date on all McDonald's announcements.
Epilogue
In this era of modern technology when kids are exposed to gadgets, it’s still
beneficial for them to be experience the joy of nature and being outdoors. It
may prove to be a challenge to take kids outside because of the pandemic but
it’s not impossible.
We just have to be creative in finding a space for them to play. We can also
recreate outdoor activities for them inside our house through books and toys.
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I do appreciate it! Being a mom,IL definitely checked them all ! We'll do it with my kids ! Thanks for sharing this with us
ReplyDeleteAgree po daidi ivi iba pa din talaga yung benefits outdoor mas namumulat din sila kung ano yung nasa labas. anyway so cute naman po ng collection ng mcdo for sure dami na naman matutuwa kids nito lalo na pag na complete lahat☺️.
ReplyDeleteAng cute ng new happy toy meal ng McDonald's collectibles talaga perfect ito sa mga mahilig kay pikachu🥰
ReplyDeleteAng cute ng new happy toy meal ng McDonald's collectibles talaga perfect ito sa mga mahilig kay pikachu🥰
ReplyDeleteAgree po ako, kids should really play outdoors coz it's beneficial to them. I love your list this will truly help the parents in introducing outdoor activities to their kids. These mcdo Jungle Survival Kit are cute and will help the kids appreciate camping.
ReplyDelete