Parents continue to complain that their children are tethered to numerous electronic devices. Back in the day it was just the family TV, radio and phone that caused problems. And, outside of wanting to stay up later to see yet another television program, those temptations didn’t cause major strife until the dreaded teen years.
In many ways I am grateful that I spent my childhood summers outdoors. The long school year left my sisters and I hungering for the great escape into the wonders of nature. We’d wake at 6 a.m. watch a half-hour of the Modern Farmer show and then don our sun suits, flip-flops, grab a slice of buttered toast and off we’d go. We never had anything more than a jump rope, scooter or bicycle to entertain us, but my mother wouldn’t see us again until lunch. And this was perfectly safe and normal.
Yes I understand times have changed, it’s not the 1960s, but children still need to get outdoors. The fact that children can suffer from what is termed “nature deficit” is a modern phenomenon. Maybe you’re not prepared to open the screen door and toss your kids into the wilds of your front lawn, but there are plenty of activities in our area that can bring them closer to nature and at least outdoors.
To help point you in the right direction read “Get Outside!” our feature that details more than 50 places and activities for outdoor fun. We’ve even added a list of rainy day alternatives to non-stop video games and DVDs. If you need an at-home indoor activity read our Parent & Child department and let chef Tom Donnelly of O2Living show you how to make delicious and nutritious sorbet with your children.
Our other feature looks at the miniature golf scene in the county – yet another outdoor activity good for the entire family. And be sure to read our Let’s Go To… Governors Island, a perfect day-trip if there ever was one. Whatever you have planned this summer I hope you include at least one great escape to somewhere outdoors. It’s sure to be refreshing.
Parents continue to complain that their children are tethered to numerous electronic devices. Back in the day it was just the family TV, radio and phone that caused problems. And, outside of wanting to stay up later to see yet another television program, those temptations didn’t cause major strife until the dreaded teen years.
In many ways I am grateful that I spent my childhood summers outdoors. The long school year left my sisters and I hungering for the great escape into the wonders of nature. We’d wake at 6 a.m. watch a half-hour of the Modern Farmer show and then don our sun suits, flip-flops, grab a slice of buttered toast and off we’d go. We never had anything more than a jump rope, scooter or bicycle to entertain us, but my mother wouldn’t see us again until lunch. And this was perfectly safe and normal.
Yes I understand times have changed, it’s not the 1960s, but children still need to get outdoors. The fact that children can suffer from what is termed “nature deficit” is a modern phenomenon. Maybe you’re not prepared to open the screen door and toss your kids into the wilds of your front lawn, but there are plenty of activities in our area that can bring them closer to nature and at least outdoors.
To help point you in the right direction read “Get Outside!” our feature that details more than 50 places and activities for outdoor fun. We’ve even added a list of rainy day alternatives to non-stop video games and DVDs. If you need an at-home indoor activity read our Parent & Child department and let chef Tom Donnelly of O2Living show you how to make delicious and nutritious sorbet with your children.
Our other feature looks at the miniature golf scene in the county – yet another outdoor activity good for the entire family. And be sure to read our Let’s Go To… Governors Island, a perfect day-trip if there ever was one. Whatever you have planned this summer I hope you include at least one great escape to somewhere outdoors. It’s sure to be refreshing.
