Seven Ways to Give the Gift of Nature in the New Year

This time of year, families around the world are celebrating the traditions of their culture, their faith, and the arrival of a new year.

During this season of giving, what if we were to share the gift of nature? There are plenty of easy, low-cost ways to spend more time together outdoors, creating memories that will far outlast the latest battery operated toy or rechargeable tech.

Studies show that families who spend time in nature develop stronger bonds and better communication. Outdoor adventures big and small can spark curiosity and creativity—and help children build confidence, develop motor skills, feel less stressed and most of all, have fun.

Our team came up with seven great ways to give the gift of nature this year. We hope this list sparks some ideas of your own!

1. Explore Parks

It makes sense that families who purchase annual park passes visit more parks more often. We found this TripSavvy article with information about state park passes in all 50 U.S. states. The America the Beautiful Pass gives you year-long access to National Parks and federal recreation sites for $80.00 (with discounts for seniors and free passes for military families and veterans). The Every Kid Outdoors Pass allows fourth and fifth graders to bring family and friends to National Parks free for a full year. And to inspire adventures in nearby nature, print these customizable park passes that kids can “redeem” for visits to local and regional parks, which are often free and close to home.

2. Go Birding

In “How to Start Birding with Your Kids,” Childhood by Nature writes that birding can be a wonderful lifelong hobby that allows kids to build patience, powers of observation and a connection to the natural world. It’s an activity your family can do together in local parks, your backyard, or from a balcony or window. You can even go “Parking Lot Birding,” as former park ranger Jennifer Bristol wrote in her guide to discovering Texas birds. You can join a variety of birding events throughout the year—the first #BlackBirdersWeek was held in June—and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers online birding classes and this list of the Best Apps for Birding with Kids. Fill a small backpack with kid-sized binoculars, a local birding guide (Audubon recommends these Six Kid-Friendly options), and a birding journal for a gift that connects you and your kids to nature—and each other.

3. Connect with Critters

Children have an innate love of animals, which experts think helps them develop communication skills, empathy, and compassion. If a new pet isn’t on your holiday shopping list, you can still nurture these important traits. The BBC’s Wildlife Magazine published this list of wildlife and nature books for children and teenagers and reports that “reading nature books with children is a great way to encourage an interest in wildlife…and spend time together as a family.” An annual zoo membership can connect your family to conservation efforts, family-friendly walking trails and events; this guide to family nature play from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums offers fun ideas for connecting to nature at zoos and beyond. Sign up now for the 2021 City Nature Challenge, starting April 30, and share pictures of animals in your community with people around the world. And anyone who loves animals will be inspired by our co-founder Richard Louv’s latest book, Our Wild Calling: How connecting with animals can transform our lives—and save theirs. The New York Times calls it a “book that offers hope” and Psychology Today calls it a “game changer.” It’s a great option for teens and more experienced readers.

4. Hit the Trail

Our friends at Vasque Footwear believe “that you don’t have to go far to change your perspective” and that when we head outside to disconnect, we reconnect with ourselves and each other. We couldn’t agree more and it’s never too early to start. We’re big fans of Hike it Baby, which helps families with babies and young children get outside to connect with nature. You can find Hike it Baby events across the US and in Canada, Australia and Japan. Your kids will be “Guardians of the Trail” when you join a trail association or support parks and trail conservancies; many offer guided hikes and family events. While you’re out exploring, use a guide like The Complete Tracker by Len McDougall to identify animal tracks and signs. And while there are apps for this, all you need is a simple calendar for planning hikes and logging miles together, even if the trailhead is your own front door.  (Of note: Children & Nature Network members receive a 40% discount on Vasque footwear!)

5. Gear Up

Alfred Wainwright coined the phrase, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” in his 1973 book, A Coast to Coast Walk. The folks at REI agree, and like us, also believe that “time outside is better than anything with a battery.” This giving season, the creators of the #OptOutside movement have taken the guesswork out of gear shopping with recommendations for The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids. The list includes parent-approved outerwear and a couple of fun surprises. The team at Tinkergarten reminds us that gear doesn’t have to be expensive, but “it should be rugged and ready for messy play so that you can get outside—and stay outside.” Check out their Ultimate Cold Weather Accessories Guide for some great tips, including how to make homemade hand warmers!

6. Stay Up Late

Kids love to stay up late, so why not plan some special night time nature adventures? The Carnegie Museum of Natural History offers tips for observing nature after dark, when insects, owls, bats, racoons, possum, coyotes, foxes and more are active, even in urban areas. Dark winter nights are the perfect time to learn about constellations, when the “Winter Six” (Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus, Gemini, and Auriga) are easily viewed. Start stargazing with a little help from Sara Gillingham’s Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations. Add nature to “movie night” with this New York Times list of 12 Family-Friendly Nature Documentaries, including the Netflix original series, Night on Earth, which uses incredible camera technology to “reveal the hidden lives of the world’s creatures, from lions on the hunt to bats on the wing.”

7. Dream of Spring

Cozy up and spend some time planning a garden with your kids. Gift certificates to garden centers and seed catalogs let youngsters choose what to plant; university extension services often offer free advice through Master Gardener programs. Container gardens work well in small spaces (here are 7 Fun Container Garden Projects that Kids will Love from The Spruce), and community garden plots offer connections to the natural world and other gardening families. Fill a canvas bag with simple gardening tools for a fun gift that will have your family looking forward to the growing season—and check out KidsGardening.org for dozens of ideas. Your kids will have so much fun digging, planting and harvesting they won’t even realize they are learning about where their food comes from.

All of these ideas put nature on the family calendar and give kids something they crave: your undivided attention. We’d love to hear your ideas for giving the gift of nature this holiday season—and year-round—at editor@childrenandnature.org, or post to our Facebook page. Cheers!

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