1 Oct 2007
by
Now that the kids are back in school and the daylight hours are growing shorter, many of you are wondering how to squeeze a Green Hour into every day. To be sure, a dedicated hour is ideal, but there will be days when that's simply not possible.
Even 15 minutes a day -- when the alternative would be no outside play time at all -- is better than nothing. The most important thing is to make outside play time a regular part of your kids' lives, and your family's routine.
To make the most of whatever outside time you can spend each day, please see our Parent's Guide. It's full of useful ideas for making outdoor exploration fun, safe, and thought-provoking, as well as tips for adapting outdoor activities to your child's age, abilities, and style of learning.
Here are a few easy Green Hour activities you might try to fit into a busy day to keep your kids connected to nature.
- Cloud watch on your way to or from school or any other activity.
- Grab some crayons and go on a color walk after dinner.
- Spend some quiet time outside, just playing or reading a book. Or, if possible, move dinner outside!
- Explore the changing seasons as a backyard detective.
- Take a book or schoolwork onto your balcony, deck, or a blanket on the grass.
