Go Geocaching
If your kids love treasure hunting, try taking them on a geocaching trip to look for hidden treasures within your area. This game encourages people to explore various locations while on the lookout for items hidden by other users, and you start by downloading the official Geocaching app to your phone. As a basic member, you and your child will be able to access the easiest caches, and each cache comes with a log that you’ll need to sign. To go geocaching, bring a pen, a pair of tweezers (for extracting the log out of tight spaces) a handmirror and a small flashlight. You may also want to bring a raincoat, some snacks, water and sunscreen since you’ll likely need them while you’re out and about.
As a rule of thumb, it’s important not to destroy or vandalize the cache site. You need to leave them intact for other geocachers to find, so take a picture, sign the log and move on to the next. Some large caches come with trade items called swag, so be sure to take something to trade for one item. Some of the most common swag include keychains, miniature toys, marbles, stickers, small LED lights and mini compasses, so think about bringing some of these during your expeditions. Never leave food, valuable items, breakables, or objects such as lighters or knives, since these can be dangerous to other geocachers.
If your kids love treasure hunting, try taking them on a geocaching trip to look for hidden treasures within your area.
Do an Outdoor Photoshoot
Older kids are fond of taking pictures to share with their friends or to post on their social media accounts. To shake up your tween or teenager’s routine, take them to a park or a botanical garden for an outdoor photoshoot. Let them use their smartphone to take selfies among the flowers, or have them channel their inner model while posing under a big tree. Later, let your child enhance the pictures using photo editing apps that don’t rely on AI, such as Snapseed, VSCO or Darktable. Doing so allows them to learn and master basic photo editing techniques, which could come in handy for school projects or if they want take up photography as a hobby.
Use technology to gently coax your child to spend some time outdoors. Consider these ideas so your child can engage with nature, and always guide them so they’ll learn to use their gadgets in healthy and positive ways.
Kylee Harris is an educator who has taught in elementary schools in Singapore and Hong Kong for 5 years. She lives in Florida and continues to teach life skills to young adults in her community
