8 Ways To Connect With Nature At Home

Whether you want to improve your energy levels or boost your well being, the benefits of being close to nature are endless. To help you maintain your relationship with the great outdoors we’ve put together eight simple ideas you can try wherever you are.

1. Build a bug hotel at the kitchen table (then take it outside)

   Keep your mini explorers busy by getting them to build a bug hotel. There’s tons of super-easy tutorials online and it’s one of the most effective ways to introduce your little ones to mini beasts. They’re sure to be entertained for ages watching beetles, bees and centipedes, lacewings, ladybirds, and woodlice come and go throughout the day.

2. Make a den in the backyard

   Some of the best activities are the most simple. Grab a couple of chairs and a blanket and head into the back garden for an epic den building session. A back garden den makes a great base for crafty activities. Think teddy bear picnics, water play and painting in the day and shadow puppet shows in the evening. All outside in the glorious fresh air.

3. Spot wildlife from the window

   Even when you’re living in the tiniest city apartment, nature will find its way into your life. If it’s time for a break from Netflix, get your kids involved with a windowside nature-watching competition with treats for whoever can identify the most trees, animals and insects.

4. Get creative in the garden

   If you’ve got a forgotten set of art supplies in your messy cupboard (we’ve all got one) now's the time to bring them out into the garden. Sketch all the different shaped leaves you can find, do charcoal rubbings of tree bark or press fallen wildflowers into books and keep them forever. Just make sure you remember to stop for a break with plenty of sandwiches, strawberries and a cool glass of lemonade. Yum.

5. Sit still and listen

   When was the last time you just closed your eyes and listened? 
   
   The Japanese practise of Forest Bathing is a great way to slow down and appreciate the small things. Proven to lower heart rate, reduce stress and boost the immune system this could be the perfect activity for an afternoon wind-down. 
   
   And the great thing is, Forest Bathing can be done wherever you are. A quiet corner of your back garden, by an open window in your living room or even around the dinner table. Keep things interesting by asking your children what they can hear - birds singing, leaves gently rustling or the buzz of bees around the wildflowers?  

6. Introduce sensory play

   One of the best ways to encourage a child’s big imagination is to include time for sensory play in your daily routine. Smelling wild garlic, watching butterflies dance across the sky and splashing in puddles are all amazing sensory play ideas that are simple (and fun) to do.

7. Draw a tree and put your creative skills to the test

   When's the last time you drew a tree? It was one of the first things we all learned to draw, along with faces and houses. Get a sketch pad, choose a tree and see if your talents have moved on since you were six. Whether or not your tree looks like a tree, the therapeutic benefits of contemplating nature for an hour or two are immense, and it's a great activity to do with the kids too.

8. Rustle up a picnic to enjoy in the garden

   Put together a family picnic of your favourite sandwiches, some delicious fruit, and lemonade, then head off outside with a blanket to find your perfect spot in the garden. Enjoy your tasty treats and then relax with your favourite book or watch the clouds fly by in the sky up above.

 

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