Invitation for Adventure: Using Language to Motivate Kids to get Outdoors

You may have experienced your child's hesitation or even resistance to spending time outdoors, in which case the toughest part is usually getting them to go outside at all. Once you are enveloped in nature, children usually lose themselves in exploration or activities, and then it's hard to get them to go home. But how do you convince a kid who thinks it would be funner to play on his iPad, or build with Legos, that they should come along on a hike?

The first suggestion I have is: DON'T CALL IT A HIKE. A child will most likely associate the word 'hike' with arduous, monotone walking. They will drag their feet the entire way. Other examples of language that will be met with resistance and even resentment are, "We have to walk the dogs," "You need fresh air," "You need a break from the computer" "You need to move more," "You can't just watch tv all afternoon!"

Imagine the difference if you say one of the following:

"I need your help building a fort! I've already packed lunch and drinks. Are you ready to go?"

"I found a secret trail that I've never seen before, come along, I want to show it to you. Bring the camera, who knows what else we'll find!"

"I've got a scavenger hunt list printed. I wonder how many of the items we'll be able to find today!"

"The blackberries are ripe. Let's see how many we can pick for making pies!"

"Look, I packed binoculars, a shovel, and a compass. Let's go on an adventure!"

"I've got paper and markers, let's make a map of the park to show Mom/Dad/best friend! We could even bury a little treasure for them to find!"

"Check it out, a new plant and animal guide. Let's go see if we can spot anything from the book. Maybe you'll even find something that's NOT in the book!"

"Here's the GoPro. I'll bet you'll find some cool things to film in the woods!"

"There's fresh snowfall. That means animal tracks! Come on, let's go! I've got hot chocolate and graham crackers in my bag."

"OK, I packed comic books and snacks. Now we just need to find the perfect spot in the forest to enjoy them. I'll bet you and your friends will find the perfect spot!"

All of these are formulated as invitations to share an adventure. These, and others, have worked for me and my son on many occasions. It requires a bit more planning on your part, but approaching time spent outdoors this way can really change the way your child feels about nature. It cultivates a positive association to outdoor activities. Your child may even begin to have ideas of their own, and invite you on a few adventures!

I would love to hear about ways you motivate your kids, so please share in the comments!

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Outdoor Project: A Stick House

Welcome! I am so excited to finally be launching this blog. Thank you so much for joining me here!

The reason why 'The Story of a Stick House' is the very first post for A Childhood in Nature is that the construction of our humble little fort was a huge game-changer in my son Rafael's experience of spending time in the woods. 

Before we built it, our walks in the woods had been very simple. We would take our two dogs, pack the essentials, and head out, with no plan or destination. And while there were definitely highlights, things to be found and collected, bugs to be spied and berries to be eaten, Rafael was becoming a little bored with our walks.

This changed drastically once we built a small, simple shelter.

It was hardly more than a pile of sticks thrown together, and it kept coming apart. 

Rafael and his friends seemed suddenly drawn like a magnet to the woods once we had our rickety, tiny fort up. But after pieces of the roof started coming down on children's heads, I realized we needed something sturdier. I had no experience with building forts, but one morning I discovered a fallen tree and thought, Why not lean some sticks on it? 

We found a log to have as a bench, and a tree stump that was perfect as a little table. Since then, we frequently meet with friends for playgroups and picnics. And all we have to say is, "Meet us at the stick house."

Having our stick house makes our time in nature so much more fun. And the really wonderful thing is that, other families enjoy it every day as well! Sometimes we see hikers taking photos of it, or children we don't know playing there. 

People have vandalized and destroyed our fort countless times. It's just a part of having something that doesn't actually belong to you out in the open where anyone has access to it. Of course it's upsetting to arrive at our stick house and see it in pieces, but we never get tired of the fun work of building it back up.

If you would like to build a stick house, here are two options that can help you.

Option 1: These stick houses are simple, because all you need is a tree with a long, naked trunk. They are shaped like a tipi, but don't have much sitting space. Perfect for one or two kids to hunker down in.

Option 2: (This is what we built.) 

These stick houses are roomy and you could even camp inside with a sleeping bag!

It is very important, though, to make sure the fallen tree is still fresh and hard, not at all worm-eaten or rotten. If it's too old and soft, it will break under the weight of the 'walls.'

I hope this post inspires you to build a stick house, or any kind of structure, with the kids in your life. They will be so happy you did. 

If you build a fort, or already have, we'd love to see it!  Send photos along with your name and where in the world you're from to: achildhoodinnature@gmail.com

COMING UP NEXT ON A CHILDHOOD IN NATURE:

A mother of two shares what it's like living surrounded by Canadian wilderness!

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