What parent these days isn’t familiar with the term “playgroup?” You know what it means the second you hear it, right? But could you say the same for a nature playgroup?
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| Credit: Debi Huang |
Fast forward a year and I am now hosting my own family nature club (a fancy term that includes all family members, not just moms). We meet regularly at locations throughout the Los Angeles area. We’re just getting started, but here are a couple of things I’ve learned so far.
A nature playgroup is not the same as a typical playgroup.
We’ve met at nature parks and plan to visit the beach, hiking trails, marshes and tidepools in the future. The goal is always the same: Get the kids outside exploring nature.
There can certainly be structured activities, like birdwatching, bug hunting or taking a color walk. It’s amazing to see how quickly the kids move into their own world of play, though. One week the kids pretended to fish in a creek. Another time, each chose a stick to use as a magic wand. As long as they get dirty, I figure I’ve succeeded!
Sometimes a group adventure is more fun than going it alone.
Kids love spending time together – even if it’s the first time they’ve met! And having extra eyes around has helped us spot more than one creature we’d have missed if we’d been alone. Best of all, kids bonding in nature tend not to notice how far they’ve hiked or climbed or rode. And what parent doesn’t love that?
How about you – how do you feel about spending time in nature with friends?
About Debi Huang
Debi Huang is a Los Angeles-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. Her blog at Go Explore Nature is all about getting kids and families outdoors and connected to nature in Los Angeles and beyond!
Kids Discover Nature thinks her blog rocks! Debi has terrific, creative ideas for connecting kids with nature and she takes her children to really cool places too. Be sure to stop by her blog, Facebook page or Twitter page and say "hi" and tell you saw her post on KDN. Thank you Debi!
