As a mother of two young children, photographer, adventurer, and general lover of life, I understand how important it is for families to connect with nature. We are fortunate to have so many beautiful natural spaces nearby, from the rugged coast to the rolling hills and the majestic redwoods. Yet, as a family, it is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and forget to appreciate and enjoy the natural world around us.


The good news is that going outside and getting in touch with nature doesn't require a lot of effort. There are many ways to incorporate the beauty of nature into your everyday life, even if you reside in a suburban region. There are countless places to discover, discover, and enjoy the environment around us, whether it be a neighborhood park, a wildlife reserve, or even simply your own backyard.


How can you take use of these chances to spend time in nature together as a family? To get you started, consider these suggestions:


  1. Take a nature walk in your local park. Even if you only have a few minutes, a nature walk can be a great way to get outside and appreciate the world around you. Take the time to look at the trees, listen to the birds, and notice the different plants and animals in your area.
  2. Have a picnic in the park. Pack a lunch and head to a nearby park. Eating outside is a great way to enjoy nature while also enjoying a meal together as a family.
  3. Play nature games in your backyard. Nature is a great place to play games. Have a scavenger hunt or a game of hide-and-seek. Make a game of finding different types of leaves or birds, or try to identify different trees or flowers.
  4. Do a backyard campout. Pitch a tent in your backyard and spend the night outside. You can cook dinner over a campfire, tell stories, and enjoy the stars.
  5. Try bird watching in your backyard. There are a lot of birds in Northern California, and many of them are easy to spot. Have a contest to see who can spot the most birds, or try to identify different birds by their call.
  6. Create a nature journal. Encourage your kids to take note of what they see in nature and draw it in a nature journal.
  7. Plant a backyard garden. Gardening is a great way to get kids involved with nature. Start a small vegetable or flower garden in your backyard.


These ideas offer some simple ways to incorporate nature into your lifestyle more, no matter if you live in the country or in a suburban neighborhood. There are a lot of great books to bring each idea to life as well, and you can make a whole day of it depending on how in-depth you go! :)