7 Days of Nature
We all go through phases when trying to cajole our families into just getting outside is just too much. The rigmarole of getting shoes, wet weather gear, backpacks, snacks, hats, scarves and gloves all together is exhausting enough, even just for ourselves sometimes. The cosy homes we’ve created during lockdown are wonderfully inviting and safe but, if you’re anything like us in our house, come 2pm and you’ve not been outside the house is systematically destroyed. Cabin fever sets in and no matter what activities are scheduled, everything starts to feel fraught. Even as I’m writing this, I can sense that all too familiar feeling bubbling up… Must. Get. Out. The. House!
But when we’re out, when we’ve taken that first big revitalising breath, everything feels much easier. Little legs can stretch out, fingers exploring, eyes adjusting to scanning further away and bodies relax. That’s what we’re aiming for. That life giving rejuvenation we get from just stepping beyond the house threshold.
This is a 7 day plan to reboot your connection with the natural world. 7 simple ideas to build on with your family and even just for yourself. It’s a prescription for you to get out of your usual routine, it’s not a grand plan so don’t overthink it. Simply check off each of the ideas as you try them and bask in the glory that you’ve connected. Spend some serious time with nothing but the sky or trees above your head.
I really hope this gives your family a little boost, enjoy and don’t forget to let me know how you get on.
Much love from our family to yours,
Lorna
Make something for someone else
Something for a friend, a family member or even a stranger, using things found in nature. Here are some suggestions;
A mobile using sticks and found treasures (a leaf, a stick, feather, flower, pinecone or acorn cup)
Weave a heart of willow (you’ll find a how-to here) and pop it in a glass of water. Decorate the glass and give it to your chosen person.
Make a key ring from a super interesting small stick and some yarn. Adorn it with a special message written on with a marker.
Arrange sticks to spell out a message for someone passing by, a simple “hello” works wonderfully. How lovely it’ll be to stumble across something so kind.
Make a little sketch of your surroundings and turn it into a card. “Wish you were here”, “thinking of you”, “next time we’ll see this together”.
The simple act of thinking of others whilst we’re out and about can give a beautiful sense of perspective. Showing gratitude has been proven to boost mental health and a sense of wellbeing, not just for the person receiving the gift, but you too. Showing children how to think of others is a gift which will put them in good stead as they grow older.
Try not to over think the end product, the process and the message that you’re thinking of someone else is the goal of this trip outside.
Float a boat in a puddle.
Find some recycling which looks like it’ll be a great boat, head out to your nearest body of safe water and set sail.
Floating a homemade boat in a puddle can be hilarious. The failures are as wonderful as the successes. Take some puddle safe mini adventures (Lego or Duplo folk work well with this) some treasure (coins work well) and don’t forget the towel.
Milk bottles chopped into boat shapes, walnut halves, stick rafts, plastic bowls, there are lots of wonderful options from around the house. It doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to float… or maybe even not! That’s half the fun right?!
How often we walk by puddles as adults when actually little ones are so very drawn to them. Standing bodies of water are a magical realm for children. The risk can be as tiny as getting wet toes to as scary as being swept out to sea…! For a child, that’s the draw, it’s a risk which is palpable. I don’t suggest a maiden voyage out to the depths of the ocean but at least find balance.
Head out to safe open space and look directly upwards.
It seems simple hey, just look up? But how often do you tip your head back and look straight up above your head. If you’re under trees you’ll see branches and leaves. If you’re out in the open you’ll see clouds and sky.
Then ponder the question… what’s up there?
When we lift our chins and look up to the sky it gives us a chance to really reset. It’s hard to think about the shopping list or what’s for dinner when you’re taken out of your usual plane. Shifting our perspective is a really simple way to reconnect with our surroundings. And lifting your chin has been known to give us a little positive boost too. What if we took the saying “chin up” and actually lifted our chin? Can we take this way of boosting morale and use it to our advantage? Straightening our backs, lifting our hearts and heads to allow a big inhale of life giving fresh air.
Bring the outdoors in
Collect twigs and sticks on your adventures to bring home, not to live by the backdoor or in the car boot but to make a seasonal display. Depending on the time of the year you’re reading this, here are some options for you;
Spring - decorate with blown, hand painted eggs, feathers, and ornaments. In Sweden these are called Påskris (take a quick search to see more, they’re beautiful) If you can finger knit, try making knitted catkins.
Summer - make posy of buttercups, sweet peas or daisies and put them in old spice jars with a little water, tie some string around them and hang on the stronger branches of your tree.
Autumn - dip dry autumn leaves in beeswax and string on a garland to hang up. Try hand sewing felt leaves for a pop of colour or find autumn seeds to display on your twigs.
Winter - keep your tree bare but lay out your winter treasures below on a bed of white cloth. Gemstones and rocks, pine cones and acorns. Or bring in new pine (evergreen) sticks for a pop of green colour.
Finding treasures from nature to bring home is a beautiful mindful task. Picking out the perfect sticks or leaves allows a sense of ownership over the little project. It brings a real connection to the seasons and the outdoors, even when you’re inside. The project can evolve or fold as you choose, that’s the simple transient cycle of the seasons.
Grow something
It doesn’t have to be a vast oasis in your backyard. Keep it simple with a few seeds; cress, sunflowers or potatoes in a bag for life. Learning about just one thing at a time, getting excited about how it changes and of course, seeing the wonderful growth and harvest.
Pick up a seed catalogue or gardening magazine and let your little ones loose with the scissors and scrapbook; together pick out all the things for a dream garden.
Plant the seeds you’ve chosen and hand over the growing of them to your littlest. From sowing the seed, watering, and even pruning.
It’s only through practise we get better at things. Whether or not the plants grow, it’s ok. As cliche as it may be, the process will connect hands to earth, sun and water and that’s more important than the end product. A true connection of nature. Of course, if the plants succeed in growing, they’ll be even sweeter.
Pack an adventure go-bag
Hand over the backpack and have your little ones fill it up with essentials. All the fun stuff, all the snacks, let them plan the adventure and what to take with you. Of course, be sure to pack an extra bag with the actual essentials; water, nutritious snacks, first aid kit, layers etc. Here are a few suggestions if you’re stuck;
Mini kite
Notepad and pen
A little crew of Lego folk
Your favourite book
A ball of yarn
An empty jam jar with lid
A little bag of flour to leave a trail
Sometimes when we feel a disconnect with the natural world, taking a few home comforts out with us can help bridge the gap.
Do as the children do
It’s so hard to give in to the moment as adults, embracing the joy of time spent together. Dawdling, stopping to watch a bird, trailing fingers across a fence or making marks in the mud, our littlest are pros at finding themselves amongst the naturescape. Why do we as adults find it so challenging? The niggling feeling of the daily to-do list just taps away in the back of our minds.
The best way I’ve found to connect with nature on a true base level is to do as the children do. Here are a few tips;
Follow them. Quite literally, follow in their footsteps and see where they lead you. Children are amazing at getting into places we thought were off limits. Assess the risk with your parent brain but give in to the moment and slacken those boundaries a little.
Touch the things they touch. Did you notice how soft the moss felt? When was the last time you held a ladybird? True sensory connection.
Look your little one in the eyes, follow their gaze and see what they see.
Try not to overthink what it means to connect with nature, taking a deep breath of fresh air can be the best start. Children have an innate ability to connect with nature, simply by being outside, follow their lead and let them show you the simplicity of it all.
