North Cook News

Elk Grove Park District issued the following announcement on May 1.

If your kids spend much of their time cooped up indoors, you may be worried about nature-deficit disorder (NDD), a term that describes the physical, mental, and emotional effects of spending too little time in nature. To assist you in getting your children outside and teaching them to appreciate the great outdoors, we’ve put together the following list of backyard activities and nature-based outings for families. Read on to get started! 

Unique Strategies for Getting Your Kids Outside

• Go on a Backyard Bug Hunt
• Build an Outdoor Basketball Court
• Install an In-Ground Trampoline
• Build a Backyard Bug Hotel
• Set Up a Badminton Net
• Build a Backyard Splash Pad
• Camp Out in Your Backyard

Nature-Based Outings for the Whole Family

• Take Your Kids Hiking: 10 Tips to Make the Adventure Fun for the Whole Family
• Go Hunting for Morel Mushrooms
• Teach Your Kids How to Fish
• Go Mountain Biking: 4 Tips When Mountain Biking with Your Child
• Visit a National Park Near You
• Play a Round of Golf with Your Kids
• Tour or Volunteer at a Local Animal Sanctuary

There you have it — a variety of family-friendly activities to get you and your kids outdoors and exploring the natural world around you. Whether you build an outdoor basketball court or go mountain biking as a family, you’ll be exposing your children to the great outdoors and protecting them from nature-deficit disorder. 

Original source can be found here.

Source: Elk Grove Park District