The Great Outdoors: Connecting Kids to Nature's Classroom

Kids today are busy—school, sports, and afterschool activities--and are spending less time outdoors than ever before. According to research from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), this disconnection from nature can impact both physical and mental well-being. One way to reintroduce youth to the natural world is through gardening and nature-based activities, and your local UF/IFAS Extension Service has a variety of resources to assist parents, caregivers, and teachers that would like to foster those connections.  

Nature plays a vital role in the healthy development of children. Time spent outdoors can improve cognitive function, support emotional regulation, and promote physical activity. Activities that immerse children in natural settings—such as gardening—provide opportunities for discovery, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the environment. 

Dr. Taylor Clem with UF/IFAS Extension notes that connecting youth to nature through gardening “fosters stewardship, teaches responsibility, and helps children form lasting relationships with the environment around them.” If you are a gardener, and feel that typical springtime lure to get outdoors, consider introducing your kids, grandkids, or neighbors to gardening and nature alongside you.  

What are some ways that kids (and families!) can take advantage of nature and gardening in their own yards... and beyond? Here are a few ideas if you are just getting started. 

• ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AFTER SCHOOL: After a busy day in the classroom, kids can take advantage of just being outdoors. Find a seat (a chair, a hammock, or even a blanket in a shady spot) and read, listen to music, journal, or chat with a friend. Just being outdoors is good for you and a great way to reset after your day indoors. I’m pretty sure that homework done outside under a shady oak tree is a little more fun as well! 

• PLANT A GARDEN (OR EVEN JUST A SEED!): If gardening is your thing, or you just want to see if you can grow something, start with a seed! Head to your closest seed library, garden center, or find a friend with seeds and get growing. Flower seeds such as zinnias are an easy start. If you want to grow a vegetable, consider an herb such as rosemary that will thrive with little care. Simple acts of watering, mulching, and weeding are great for mental and physical time outdoors. 

• OBSERVE WILDLIFE: Take a walk around the yard, a local park, or a nature preserve and see what wildlife you can spot. Take some time to get close and look at butterflies, bees, small lizards, and birds. Can you identify them?  

• TAKE A HIKE (OR A WALK): Walking outdoors is great physical exercise, but can also help you relax and unwind, observe nature, and connect to others. Walk alone and appreciate the silence and listen for sounds of nature, walk with others and appreciate the time to connect. Walk your neighborhood and observe trees, plants, and the sounds of nature. Walk in a natural area and observe a different environment.  

• CREATE A GARDEN JOURNAL: Incorporating art and creativity into nature and gardening is obvious! Gardening and design are great ways to get creative juices flowing, and starting a garden journal can help kids learn to keep records, inspire creativity, plan garden spaces of their own, or simply use it as a personal journal to record thoughts and ideas. Utilize leaves, press flowers, or find other inspiration from nature to create a personalized garden journal. 

Research shows that children who participate in gardening are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, engage in physical activity, and experience reduced stress levels. Gardening also enhances fine motor skills and provides a therapeutic outlet for self-expression. 

Engaging youth in gardening not only benefits them in the moment but also instills lifelong habits. When children understand where their food comes from, how ecosystems function, and the impact of their actions on the planet, they’re more likely to become environmentally conscious adults. Introducing a child to gardening can pave the way for a lifelong love of plants and inspire them to create and appreciate garden spaces. 

Gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a gateway to growth, discovery, and environmental stewardship. By planting the seeds of curiosity, we can help the next generation develop strong, lasting connections with the natural world. 

If you are interested in getting your children active in a nature program this summer, consider signing up for Nature Explorers Summer Camp.  This weeklong camp is offered by UF/IFAS Extension at Circle B Bar Reserve and combines nature, gardening, art, and exploration. Register here: hnatureexplorerspolk.4honline.com. Additionally, we have family-focused gardening and nature classes year-round. Find out more here: polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com. 

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. If you are interested in purchasing a garden journal, contact the Plant Clinic. If you are not in Polk County, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.