Go Outside and Play
January 25th, 2012
Nature is fuel for the soul. Resolve to get outside more — it’s one resolution that doesn’t have to cost a penny and has countless benefits for you and your kids.
Research on the benefits of nature shows that:
* Being in a natural environment benefits the body, mind, and spirit.
* Nature makes you more caring and enhances social interactions and close relationships.
* Being outdoors helps keep you healthy — boosting vitality; improving vision; reducing risks of heart disease, obesity, bone problems, depression, and stress; reducing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and more.
* Children and adults find it easier to concentrate and pay attention after spending time in nature.
* Short outdoor education programs improve children’s cooperation, conflict resolution, self-esteem, peer relationships, and behavior in class.
* Nature provides a rich source of hands-on, multi-sensory stimulation, which is critical for brain development in early childhood.
* Short outdoor education programs improve children’s science test scores.
With all of this research coming to the forefront, it’s not surprising that everyone — from researchers to politicians to educators to doctors to parents — is encouraging us to spend more time outdoors on a regular basis.
Tips and ideas for getting outdoors
You don’t have to go far to spend time outdoors. Nature is right outside our door. You can enjoy walking, winter biking or bird watching from just about anywhere.
Make it a top priority. Dedicate time every week to spend outdoors. To really develop a lasting, deep relationship with nature, you need to be out in it, regularly.
Dress for the weather. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Make sure you are both dry and warm. Keep a set of winter clothing in your car so you are ready to take advantage of unexpected outdoor opportunities.
Enjoy the parks and trails. Parks and trails are all around us. Many are free; others require either a day pass or year pass for a small fee. Check your city and county websites for locations, fees, and outdoor activities and events. Check out these sites for Minnesota state parks and state trails.
Visit your local nature center. Nature centers are located throughout Minnesota and offer beautiful, natural settings to explore. Often they have snowshoes, cross country skis, binoculars, and other outdoor gear available to borrow or rent. Check out this list of Minnesota nature centers and other environmental educations destinations to find one close to you.
For the truly adventurous, try winter camping. Winter camping has several advantages over summer camping. No Mosquitoes. You can easily hike across frozen lakes and ponds to directly access locations that might require lengthy hikes during other seasons. Clear night skies offer great star gazing. Night time sounds carry easily, so listen for coyotes, owls, trees snapping and ice cracking. Deciduous trees shed their leaves and provide unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.
There’s an app for that. Free smartphone apps are available to identify bird calls, tree species, and Minnesota places to explore.
Additional resources
Children and Nature NetworkThe Minnesota Children and Nature Connection
The National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There Campaign and Green Hour Activities
Information provided by the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

