I am sharing this article from Emily Graham of the Mighty Moms blog.

It’s probably the season children look forward to most. Summer means freedom, exploration, play, and being outside. And if your children are going to summer camp, you may want to take the time to prepare them with safe and active outdoor explorations.

Play in the Backyard

Sometimes, kids just want to play. A great way to introduce them to being outside is to get them active with backyard games. Potato sack, scavenger hunt, and cornhole are great classics. Once you've figured out which games to play, make sure you prep the yard for maximum safety and fun. If you don't have a fence, now is a good time to get one installed. Know the average costs of installing a fence ahead of time to help you stick to your budget; for example, a wooden fence costs an average of $16 per foot, while a vinyl fence costs around $30 per foot. With these prices in mind, gather estimates from highly-rated fence companies, which you can find on websites like Angi. That way, you'll get the best possible offer and service.

Outdoor Crafting

Another great way to have kids spend active time outside is by making outdoor crafts. You can weave tree tapestries together to hang around your neighborhood or in your backyard. Come up with stories about your tapestries to make it even more fun. Are they fairy catchers? Are they butterfly beds? Ask your child what they are designing theirs for. You can bake pebble plaques by going out and collecting stones to then bake into “plaques,” and create different designs in your dough. These sorts of tasks double as fun but also may mirror some of the crafts they do at an outdoor camp.

Explore the Outdoors Together

Sometimes, simple exploration can lead to unforeseen adventures. Bring binoculars, a magnifying glass, and perhaps a butterfly net. Discover what kinds of bugs you can find, but also look out for unique birds. This activity is a fantastic way to encourage your child to explore, observe, and learn how to be active outside and have fun. You can let your child guide your little group, and give them a taste of independence.

Go Camping

What better way to prepare your children for camp than to take them camping? Start by looking at what campgrounds are near to your home, so if something goes wrong, going home isn’t a hassle. The closer you are to the city, the easier things may be. Instead of having to roast your dinner over a campfire, you can potentially order takeout to be delivered or picked up on the way. Involve your children in assembling the camp gear itself. Have them pitch the tents, with help where they need it, or have them set up the sleeping bags or inflatable mattresses. If you’re going to be cooking at the campground, have the kids help. They can gather twigs and sticks to use as kindling, and help assemble the meal once it has been cooked.

Play With the Environment

One way to involve kids in the outdoors is to simply let them entertain themselves outside. Nature provides its own toys for our kids, and they are creative and imaginative enough to find ways to have fun in their environment. Digging a hole can quickly turn into making a fort. Trees with low branches are great for climbing. Allow your children the ability to explore for themselves to have fun, but be sure to always supervise.

Children today often find themselves indoors for the bulk of their time. It’s important to teach and prepare them on how to go outside and be in nature. Camp is a great experience, but make sure you take the time to teach your child how to feel comfortable and safe in the great outdoors.