Today’s post is part of “Your Green Hour Survival Guide,” a series which I hope will provide you with inspiration to make getting outside every day a habit.
I think I’ve mentioned here before that from the time he could walk, the now 3-year-old Little Explorer earned the nickname “The Runner.” He is full of energy. Seemingly boundless energy.
So much energy that taking him anywhere is, well, exhausting. Just ask my friends.
But I’m determined to let him have as much free time outside in nature as possible – even if it kills me. Or at least leaves me hoarse and a little worse for the wear on most days.
Since I can’t be the only mom alive to have a wild child, I thought some of you might like to know what types of outdoor activities are best suited to kids who love to run like the wind. Here goes.
1. Chase something, like butterflies.
Runners love a good chase. I encourage The Little Explorer to chase butterflies because otherwise he’d be chasing birds – and they don’t deserve that.
2. Go for a trail run.
A kid full of boundless energy doesn’t complain on the trail – at least not The Little Explorer. In fact, he’s almost always the life of the party because he’s got so much energy. If we’re lucky enough to find a trail with long, straight stretches, he’ll even go for a run – and love it!
3. Discover the joy of mud puddles.
When we were visiting the family farm in Michigan last month, The Little Explorer ran back and forth through a mud puddle for the better part of an hour. At home, he can be equally entertained with a tiny patch of wet grass.
4. Run down (or up) a hill.
Parks often come complete with a nice hill just perfect for a good run. The Little Explorer needs little incentive to do so. He’ll even run back up the hill if he’s in the right mood (or with a friend).
5. Seek out wide-open, wild spaces.
I suppose it goes without saying that wide-open, wild spaces are perfect for runners like The Little Explorer. I’ve noticed lately that when we get to a spot he deems perfect for running, he creates an imaginary loop for himself and simply runs it ’til he drops.
There was the field of wildflowers in Yosemite earlier this summer and just last week he ran his “loop” in the park for an hour while The Big Explorer was at basketball practice.
I am especially thankful for my wild child, for his passion and energy and for the new perspective on the natural world that he brings me every day.
Do you have a wild child? What types of activities does he or she enjoy doing in nature?
