FAMILIES

You don’t have to be an expert naturalist, or do it all alone. We’ve created this toolkit to help you plan and share outdoor experiences with like-minded friends and families who are yearning for “more green, less screen.”

Use these Nature Activity Cards as inspiration to get out into nature and have some fun with family and friends! Cards are separated into two suggested age groups, 2-6 and 7-11 years old. They relate to topics such as urban animals, clouds, reptiles and frogs and are broken down into categories that incorporate play, acting, drawing, investigating and more. They can be downloaded and printed out for fun on the go.

This infographic highlights 4 ways that children, caregivers and families can practice self-care in nature.

Evidence-based infographic highlights how meaningful outdoor experiences can benefit children and inspire then to care for the natural world.

A roadmap to overcoming nature play barriers.

Infographic illustrating the research on the wide range of health benefits of children’s nature connection.

Infographic illustrating the research on academic benefits of children’s nature connection.

E-guide to nature play for families.

This infographic depicts the many benefits of nature during the foundational years of early childhood, ages 0 – 5.

Watch the recording of our Just Grow! Gardening with Kids event featuring Kashon DuBose and Sonya Harris. They share the work they are doing with their communities, hands-on gardening activities that parents, caregivers and educators can facilitate with children – even if they have a small space and poor soil conditions, and sage advice on how your family can get the most out of garden and farm projects.

Watch the recording of our Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers in Nature event featuring Alexis Burroughs, Jessica Carrillo Alatorr and Gabriel Pickus. They discuss benefits of nature engagement for young children, tips on how to prepare for the elements, tangible tools for nature play, whole-child centered learning with nature as the teacher and more!

Watch the recording of our Back to School with Nature: Supporting Social Emotional Learning and Academic Outcomes event featuring José G. González, Cathy Jordan and Sheila Williams Ridge, Ed. D. They discuss how nature impacts mental health, social emotional learning and cognitive function in support of academic outcomes.

Watch the recording of our event with author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv. Richard discusses what he learned about creating a nature-filled life while writing his book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness,” and offers tips and inspiration for completing your own #VitaminNChallenge.

Watch the recording of our Family Time in Nature event featuring Denice Rochelle, Founder and Director of The Bronze Chapter and Heather Kuhlken, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Families in Nature.

Watch the recording of our first Families Together in Nature event — Self-Care in Nature, featuring Nicole Jackson, Kari Kleven MSW, LICSW, Sonny LaForm, LSWAIC, MSW and Renā Trujillo.