10 Ways to Unplug and Tune In to Nature
Whether you pledge to plan not to plan or to take in backyard wildlife, these ideas will help you heed the call of the outdoors
While we’re on the subject of new year’s resolutions, the start of 2015 would be a great time to pledge to get the kids outside and to connect you and your family with nature. From stargazing on blankets and pillows on the deck to taking a nature walk at dusk, no act is too small or insignificant and it will boost your health and wellbeing.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
2. Watch what’s going on in your backyard
While we don’t always find time to camp out in the backyard, butterflies and bees, owls, bats and possums do it every night. Take a look at what’s joining you in the backyard. See this as an opportunity to slow down and really look at your outdoor space and see how wildlife in your vicinity contributes to overall habitat health.
While we don’t always find time to camp out in the backyard, butterflies and bees, owls, bats and possums do it every night. Take a look at what’s joining you in the backyard. See this as an opportunity to slow down and really look at your outdoor space and see how wildlife in your vicinity contributes to overall habitat health.
3. Have an impromptu party
Summer’s the perfect time to christen the backyard if you haven’t already. Call your friends, your roommates or your family and spend the weekend together outside. Keep things simple and casual. Set up two sawhorses, wood planks and some string lights for an outdoor dinner party. Order a pizza or have everyone bring something. Whether or not everyone sleeps outside, take a few hours to revel in the tastes and sounds of summer.
See more: 17 Effortless DIY Ideas for Carefree Summer Parties
Summer’s the perfect time to christen the backyard if you haven’t already. Call your friends, your roommates or your family and spend the weekend together outside. Keep things simple and casual. Set up two sawhorses, wood planks and some string lights for an outdoor dinner party. Order a pizza or have everyone bring something. Whether or not everyone sleeps outside, take a few hours to revel in the tastes and sounds of summer.
See more: 17 Effortless DIY Ideas for Carefree Summer Parties
4. Connect with neighbours
A single gesture can spark or rekindle a friendship. Invite neighbours over for a barbecue or say hello during a walk through the neighbourhood. Personal relationships build stronger neighbourhoods.
See more: Everybody Needs Good Neighbours: 10 Ways to Keep the Peace
A single gesture can spark or rekindle a friendship. Invite neighbours over for a barbecue or say hello during a walk through the neighbourhood. Personal relationships build stronger neighbourhoods.
See more: Everybody Needs Good Neighbours: 10 Ways to Keep the Peace
Plan to not have a plan
Give your kids and yourself a big dose of unstructured playtime. Planned weekend activities keep everyone entertained and on schedule, but sometimes the most fun comes from the lack of an agenda. Unplug and try not to worry about what’s on TV for one evening.
See more: 10 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Kids’ Adventure Zone
Give your kids and yourself a big dose of unstructured playtime. Planned weekend activities keep everyone entertained and on schedule, but sometimes the most fun comes from the lack of an agenda. Unplug and try not to worry about what’s on TV for one evening.
See more: 10 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Kids’ Adventure Zone
Show your kids around the backyard
Have fun showing your kids what you do outside all day. Whether it’s harvesting tomatoes, mowing the lawn, turning the compost or choosing seeds to sow, seeing the process gives kids a stake in the results. Who knows? You may find your new right hand.
See more: Discovery Gardens: 15 Ideas to Let Kids’ Imaginations Run Wild
Have fun showing your kids what you do outside all day. Whether it’s harvesting tomatoes, mowing the lawn, turning the compost or choosing seeds to sow, seeing the process gives kids a stake in the results. Who knows? You may find your new right hand.
See more: Discovery Gardens: 15 Ideas to Let Kids’ Imaginations Run Wild
Cool off
Give the air conditioning a break for the afternoon and try to cool off in a more passive way. It’s summer, so take a run through the sprinklers, jump in the pool or run down to the beach. You’ll beat the heat while opening yourself up to the weather outside.
See more: Learn How to Bring That ‘Summer Holiday Feeling’ Home
Give the air conditioning a break for the afternoon and try to cool off in a more passive way. It’s summer, so take a run through the sprinklers, jump in the pool or run down to the beach. You’ll beat the heat while opening yourself up to the weather outside.
See more: Learn How to Bring That ‘Summer Holiday Feeling’ Home
Build a bug box
Bees and bugs are resourceful when it comes to where they live, but we can also make things a little easier for them. Gather plant clippings and leftover wood from your yard to build a backyard bug habitat for local critters. This thoughtful craft project encourages everyone to ask questions about who we share our ecosystems with and how we all fit together in the big picture.
Bees and bugs are resourceful when it comes to where they live, but we can also make things a little easier for them. Gather plant clippings and leftover wood from your yard to build a backyard bug habitat for local critters. This thoughtful craft project encourages everyone to ask questions about who we share our ecosystems with and how we all fit together in the big picture.
Move living outside
Reimagine the patio as an outdoor living room. Turn the deck into the dining room for the evening. Instead of watching TV in the evening, play charades. If you like to eat around the coffee table in the living room, sit around a low table for dinner outside. While you don’t necessarily want to duplicate indoor living outside, try to establish that same relaxed and comfortable feeling.
See more: Get the Fabulous Outdoor Room You’ve Always Wanted
Reimagine the patio as an outdoor living room. Turn the deck into the dining room for the evening. Instead of watching TV in the evening, play charades. If you like to eat around the coffee table in the living room, sit around a low table for dinner outside. While you don’t necessarily want to duplicate indoor living outside, try to establish that same relaxed and comfortable feeling.
See more: Get the Fabulous Outdoor Room You’ve Always Wanted
Plan a great summer together
By May we’ll all be wondering where the time went. Focus on what your family would like to accomplish this summer and plan to make it happen. Build a bocce court, host an epic barbecue or finally get that music room set up.
More: 10 Quick Fixes to Get Your Home in the Mood for Summer
TELL US
How do you unplug?
MORE RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015
How to Be the Best Neighbour You Can Be
How to Make Time for Star Gazing
How to Love Your Home Just the Way It Is
Zero Tolerance: 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home
By May we’ll all be wondering where the time went. Focus on what your family would like to accomplish this summer and plan to make it happen. Build a bocce court, host an epic barbecue or finally get that music room set up.
More: 10 Quick Fixes to Get Your Home in the Mood for Summer
TELL US
How do you unplug?
MORE RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015
How to Be the Best Neighbour You Can Be
How to Make Time for Star Gazing
How to Love Your Home Just the Way It Is
Zero Tolerance: 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home
Set the stage for an evening of camping – for one night only. Whether that means sleeping on an air mattress under the stars or pitching a tent on the balcony, make the night special.
See more: How to Make Time for Star Gazing