Last week’s 50 Ways to Explore Nature in Your Own Backyard was a big hit – and I’m thrilled. It means you’re as interested as I am in finding simple ways to connect with nature right outside your own back door.
In addition to having fun in our own backyard, we also enjoy heading out to explore nature in the city and beyond. Sometimes this comes in the form of a morning at the beach; other times we head to a zoo, aquarium or garden.
Here’s a list I’ve started compiling of simple ways to spend a few hours exploring nearby nature. With so many options, there’s something for everyone! Have many of these things have you tried?
1. Fly a kite
2. Go tidepooling
3. Visit a zoo
4. Take a hike
5. Stroll through a garden or arboretum
6. Have a rock skipping contest
7. Pick your own fruit at a local farm
8. Ride bikes at the beach or a nearby nature park
9. Float a homemade boat on a lake or river
10. Visit a marsh
11. Go birdwatching
12. Collect seashells or rocks at the beach
13. Try geocaching or letterboxing
14. Head to an aquarium
15. Tour a farm
16. Explore a natural history museum
17. Go fishing
18. Visit a nature park, state park or national park
19. Try kayaking or canoeing
20. Visit a wildlife sanctuary
21. Go snowshoeing
22. Tour a cave
23. Search for wildlflowers
24. Explore a community garden
25. Visit a nature center
26. Watch ducks at a pond
27. Enjoy a picnic along the trail, at the beach or under a tree
28. Build a sandcastle
29. Go whale watching
30. Check out the local science center
How about you – where do you like to explore nearby nature with your kids?
@Crystal: I'd LOVE to have a girl's day out in nature. What a fantastic idea!
I love going tidepooling! A few Saturdays ago, I enjoyed a girl's day out with a few of my closest friends. We went to the beach, sans kids, and then went out to eat afterward. Anyways, the beach we went to was one I'd never been to before, and the tide pools there were incredible! I'm eager to take my little man there before the summer's over. I'll have to remember to
@Michael: Thanks for sharing – I'm impressed with how much you guys have done!<br /><br />@Lisa: Almost embarrassed to admit that I haven't been to Douglas Park yet. Thanks for the suggestion!
What a great list! Although not truly a pond, if you'd like to see some ducks (When I was there, I saw baby ducklings.), head to Douglas Park in Santa Monica. It's a wonderful park.
I posted the list on my blog and shared which ones we've done:<br />http://thedispersalofdarwin.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/go-explore-nature/
@backyardsafari: Yes, that is the big explorer with his very own boat! He had help putting it all together but chose the parts himself right alongside the river. Many of his creations floated surprisingly well. 🙂
Is your son making a boat in that last picture? If so he's done a very good job choosing mast materials 🙂 I have to ask because this is still one of my favorite things to do. I can't resist!