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Looking for fun ways to keep kids active and curious this summer? Getting outside is a great way for children to explore, learn, and connect with the natural world around them. Studies show that when kids spend time in nature at a young age, they grow up having a greater understanding and awareness of the environment and why it is important to protect it.1 By helping kids explore the outdoors, we can encourage the future generations to care and protect the natural world.
Many residents, cottagers and visitors are drawn to Muskoka because of the beautiful natural environment and experience the many forests, wetlands and lakes that encompass our community. With climate change continuing to affect Muskoka’s natural environment through things like changing weather patterns, forest fire risks, and impacts on water quality, it is more important than ever to help the next generation care enough about the natural world and continue the important work of conservation and sustainability, through connecting with nature
Looking for ways to connect and engage kids in nature this summer? Here are some locally based activities and ideas to check out!
Activities to Try Close To Home:
- Go on a bug hunt: Grab a clipboard, a piece of paper and a marker then head outdoors. A magnifying glass and a plastic jar could be fun too. Encourage kids to list or draw every bug they see.
- Make Mud Pies: Let the kids get messy while having a ton of fun. Add water and mud into buckets then flip over to create mud pies. Decorate with twigs, leaves and flowers. Use things from the recycling bin to make them more elaborate!
Community Activities:
- Go for a Hike: There are so many trails for all ages and activity levels all over Muskoka. Find a list of trails here.
- Explore the lake for bugs: Shallow waters along shorelines are home to a variety of bugs, and many of these bugs have something to say about the quality of the water. Bring a net to see what you can catch, and be sure to release them back after. To learn more about benthic monitoring check out the Muskoka Water Web.
- Birdwatching: Print out a list of nearby common birds and take it with you as you move around your community. See how many you can spot!
- Community Clean Up: Take part in the Clean Muskoka Together program. Sign up to receive a free clean up kit to pick up the garbage along the side of a road or a local park or green space near you.
- Get out on the water: From swimming, to canoeing and kayaking there are many ways to explore the many lakes and rivers in Muskoka and create an appreciation for the aquatic environment.
Get outside this summer and enjoy all that Muskoka has to offer. Whether you’re hiking a trail, exploring a lake, or discovering bugs in your backyard, bring kids along and help them build a connection with nature.
Creating a love for nature in kids at young age helps support our future generations to continue to care and protect Muskoka’s environment.
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