I recently wrote, 50 things I did outside as a kid that didn’t kill me, a post that got me thinking about how come I did all this cool stuff outside, but kids today don’t. I think it’s due to two major issues – screens and parent comfort with the outside world.

Photo © Flickr user N8tr0n

Kids are glued, almost literally, to screens nowadays from television to computers to Kindle to cell phones and other screens. Research backs this up and also shows that screen addiction results in some health and social consequences.

Anyhow, I’ve been pondering the situation and I’ve tried to come up with some ideas that will get your kids outside and active vs. constantly sedentary. Later I’ll be posting a challenge about this, since screen time and activity is something we need to work on in my own house. But first, some tips…

Photo © Flickr user KellBailey

Admit that the world is safe to explore

As I noted in that 50 things I did outside as a kid that didn’t kill me post, many parents are scared about letting their kids roam outside on their own.  As a kid, I wandered around all the time on my own, as did my peers, and statistically, there was more crime in the 70s and early 80s than now. We survived.

I think about what life would have been like had my mom (or some other adult) shadowed my every movement as a kid and the first thing that pops into my mind is yikes! What a downer. Life would have been considerably less fun had I never gotten any free kid time. I imagine that kids today maybe don’t mind as much, because they’re not used to exploring on their own. Still, I bet many would give their teeth to be allowed some awesome wandering time outside or at a mall or in a big city.

Admit to yourself and your kids that there are bad people and bad times, but for the most part, people are okay. Bad things don’t always happen. Life should be an adventure. If you’re brave enough to accept that being outside is safe and fun, maybe your kids will too.

For help coming to terms with the fact that the world is mostly safe, read the following:

• Is it safe to let your kids play outside alone?
• Do you let your five-year-old go to the park alone?
• Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry)

As I noted in that 50 things I did outside as a kid that didn’t kill me post, plenty of parents today are too scared to allow their kids any freedom when it comes to outside play. In fact, the Kids Fighting Chance website notes that a recent study of parents’ worries by pediatricians at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, showed that nearly 3/4 of parents said they feared their children might be abducted and 1/3 of parents said this was a frequent worry, greater than that held for any other concern, including car accidents, sports injuries or drug addiction.

• Do you let your five-year-old go to the park alone?

As a parent, you need to get the facts and pass them on to your kids, because it’s not just parents who are scared of this world, but kids too. You don’t need to dwell on and relate the super scary facts you see on cop shows and the news, but the real hard core facts about safety in today’s world.

But kids are kidnapped!

This is true. Some kids are victims of horrid crimes. But very few.

The U.S. Justice Department released a huge report on U.S. child abduction (pdf) in 1999, and noted that during their study year, there were an estimated 115 stereotypical kidnappings, i.e. what we’d call stranger kidnappings. In 40% of such kidnappings the child was killed. In another 4% the child was never recovered. That leaves 56% of kids recovered, meaning, about 50 children are kidnapped never to be seen alive again. Teens, not young children were most frequently abducted.

Of course, those statistics are from 1999. Are more kids being kidnapped now? Some news reports state crazy stuff like 800,000 children disappear every year, but dig deeper into statistics and you’ll find that still very few (still only about 115) kids fall into that stranger-danger kidnapping category. Most child-minded organizations admit readily that cases of stranger-based kidnappings are extremely rare.

Obviously, even one child kidnapped is terrible. Plus, as Free Range Kids points out, it doesn’t much matter that just 50 kids are kidnapped, never to be returned each year, the bigger concern is that most parents think along the lines of, “My kid could be one of those 50.”

However, if you’re so worried about stranger danger that you keep your kids near you and inside at all times, you’d also better be aware of all the other dangers out there in the world.

Your child is more likely to be the victim of…

Fact: Your child is far more likely to be killed by a car crash, a pool, a parent-caused birth defect or your own home than kidnapped and killed by a raving maniac while playing outside.

• Injuries suffered in a motor vehicle traffic crashes, not murder, is the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In fact, the CDC states that each day eight teens die in a crash. U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that every single day in the United States, an average of 4 children age 14 and younger are killed and 529 are injured in motor vehicle crashes.

• Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States (CDC 2006) and the third leading cause of fatal home injury (Runyan 2004). Four out of five U.S. fire deaths occur in homes, not outside, and kids are in a high risk group.

• The CPSC estimates that about 300 children under the age of 5 years drown each year in home swimming pools. Additionally, CPSC points out that almost all child victims “Were being supervised by one or both parents when the swimming pool accident occurred.“

• Radon gas affects 8 million homes a year and kills 20,000 in the USA alone annually.

• The CDC notes that currently about 1 in 8 pregnant women in the United States reports alcohol use and because of that the March of Dimes notes that up to 40,000 babies are born with FASDs annually.

• American Association of Poison Control Centers notes that 1.25 million kids younger than six years of age are unintentionally poisoned in the home each year by common household products.

• Last year, a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found more than 1.7 million children live in homes with loaded and unlocked guns and it’s also been reported that there are about 500 child deaths per year due to accidental gun shootings.

• According to The Consumer Products and Safety Commission reports over 230,000 toy-related injuries are treated at U.S. emergency rooms annually.

Year after year unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. NOT kidnapping.

If you’re really hell-bent on protecting your child, then seriously, don’t ever take your child out in your car. Don’t take him to a swimming pool. Don’t give him toys. Don’t allow him to be inside too long, because he might die in a house fire or eat poison.

What happens when kids aren’t allowed outside freedom

• Kids miss out on basic rights, such as forming fun childhood memories and making mistakes.
• Kids don’t learn how to be brave.
• Kids face health consequences such as obesity and other illnesses.
• Kids loose out on all the major benefits of free play.
• Kids can’t figure out how to entertain themselves or figure out what to do when a screen isn’t available.
• Kids miss out on “nature buffers” which have been shown to protect children against the effect of stressful life events.

If you really can’t drop the kidnapping issue, consider that research shows that street-smart kids are less likely to be abducted. Kids cannot, no matter what you think, develop street smarts while sitting safely inside.

Sure, teach your kids basic safety rules. Wear a helmet. Look before crossing the street. Don’t go places with people you don’t know. However, don’t teach your kids that the world will kill them if they step into it. That’s not only a lie but it’s created a society of kids who don’t value outside fun and who have no clue what to do with themselves when they’re on their own.

It is safe and beneficial for your child to play outside alone.

If you’re looking for a good video about “strangers” check out The Safe Side. It encourages safety but not fear and discusses “People we know well” and “People we don’t” vs. “Terrifying strangers.” I thought this video was great and especially liked that it encourages kids to be smart and safe, but not freaked out. If you can’t chill out, read Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) – it’ll help I promise.

Kids are pretty darn sheltered these days. On Facebook I once posed the question to some parents, “At what age is it safe to let kids play alone outside?” The answers I got freaked me out. Parents posted stuff like, “14, 18 years of age” or “Never.” Very few parents said they allowed their kids outside time without a parent at all, at any age. Even fewer parents said they allowed kids under the age of 12 alone time outside.

• Do you let your five-year-old go the park alone?

It’s shocking. Not only do kids get almost no time outside they seem to get literally no time away from their parents. In fact, research shows that just 6% of kids ages 9-13 play outside alone. This is almost cruel in my opinion. Kids need nature. Kids need to be outside. Kids need to explore. Kids really, really need free play sans adults.

In some cases parents halt free play in favor of academics. In other cases parents halt free play because it’s easier to say yes to video games and TV. In a majority of cases though, I’ve seen parents halt free play because they’re scared to let their kids out of their sight. It’s a disservice to kids to be so scared of the world that outside play becomes a hazard. The world isn’t perfectly safe, but it’s not a big fat danger either. Not if you talk to your kids about basic safety rules.

My mom was far from perfect. However, she did give me outdoor freedom. She told me about stranger danger and advised me to look both ways before crossing a street. She liked when I was playing with friends, but also understood that sometimes I needed alone time. Because my mom was good in this respect I had a childhood full of normal healthy outdoor risks and adventures.

In fact, here are 50 things I did as a kid, before the age of 16 (WITHOUT an adult present) that didn’t get me killed, kidnapped or otherwise scarred for life…

1. Planned to build a clubhouse and sort of followed through using nails and (gasp) hammers.
2. Play acted movies out with my friends.
3. Kissed a neighbor boy.
4. Ran in the rain without a coat.
5. Climbed a million trees.
6. Walked 20 blocks to a corner store for soda and candy.
7. Rode my bike on very busy streets all over town.
8. Built stuff out of rocks, mud and other nature items.
9. Swam at my neighborhood pool without parents present – before 12 with a lifeguard, after 12 no lifeguard.
10. Jumped out of trees from way up high.
11. Biked without a helmet – not just in my neighborhood either. I used to sneak out and ride on the rural highway.
12. Tied a bunch of bikes and wagons together to make a parade.
13. Climbed on my friend’s roof (second story).
14. Played street football and baseball.
15. Jumped on a trampoline.
16. Sat in my friend’s hot tub sans adults.
17. Picked up stray cats.
18. Did cartwheels off a pool diving board.
19. Jumped off a pool diving board while sitting in a patio chair.
20. Got inside a pillowcase or old box and went stair sledding.
21. Played hide and seek at night.
22. Walked around a big city, shopping, looking, etc. with young friends.
23. Explored my neighborhood and other places.
24. Jumped in the rain and in puddles.
25. Went hiking, got lost. Got found.
26. Dangled into a sewer to get my Barbie doll who fell in.
27. Played monster – a tag game where the “IT” kid had to hit other kids with a plastic bat.
28. Rolled around in pink insulation in the outdoor playhouse my friend’s dad was building.
29. Did somersaults on concrete.
30. Rode tire swings with way too many friends.
31. Stayed outside too long in snowy weather.
32. Stayed outside too long in hot weather – didn’t drink water.
33. Went downtown on the bus to go to a music concert.
34. Cooked over a campfire.
35. Went to visit neighbor friends, starting at the age of four, who lived houses and houses away.
36. Climbed rocks.
37. Threw rocks and had some thrown at me.
38. Ran off alone at city parks, sometimes with friends, sometimes not.
39. Ran near the ocean.
40. Rode horses.
41. Got in fights and roughed it up with other kids.
42. Went swimming in rivers and lakes.
43. Picked and ate berries off of neighborhood bushes.
44. Played on splintery old playground equipment.
45. Slept outside with other kids, no adults. Suburban camping!
46. Slipped on a Slip & Slide.
47. Rode public transportation alone, no parents. Often at night.
48. Went on long night walks.
49. Had snowball fights.
50. Walked to and from school alone – I lived about 10 blocks away.

Do I recommend your kid jump into a pool while sitting on a patio chair, throw rocks or dangle into sewers? No, these are stupid things to do. I could have been really, seriously hurt. Yet, I wasn’t.

Keep in mind:

I didn’t always live in safe neighborhoods as a kid. Sometimes we lived in pretty sketchy areas. I never, not once in my childhood, required doctor’s care due to an accident from playing outside. I’ve never had a broken bone, or even stitches. Even so, if I had experienced accidents, I’d still be glad I had all that outdoor time. Kids need to make mistakes and sometimes fall down. That’s life.

The new depressing version of childhood

It’s incredibly depressing to me to think about all the kids in this generation who will look back on their childhood as a time when they sat and sat and sat, safe and secure in front of computers and the TV. These are kids who won’t get the chance to learn how to be alone or how to be free to explore their world. Plus, a sedentary childhood can lead to all kinds of health and mental problems. It’s very depressing.

If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around this issue, I highly suggest you read Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry). This is one of my favorite books and can really help if you’re too worried to let your child be an explorer.

What did you do as a kid that didn’t kill you? What are you allowing your kid to do now, alone, outside that also won’t likely kill him? Share in the comments.

I know I said I’d post the winner of the Disneynature AFRICAN CATS: The Story Behind the Film book giveaway yesterday, but then amazing weather (I’m talking sunshine with a high of 70°F) hit the Portland area.

70°F is seriously rare spring weather here in PDX, and while we will hike happily in the rain, we didn’t want to give up a chance to hike in some actual sunshine. Thus we went out hiking at Hoyt Arboretum then went to the Rose Gardens for a picnic lunch then to a park to play. Later we ended up going out for an evening walk too. I didn’t have any time to post the winner. Sorry, but it was too nice to sit inside on the computer.

Now, however I will post the winner!

In case you’ve forgotten, the winner is going to win a lovely copy of the book Disneynature AFRICAN CATS: The Story Behind the Film.

I randomly picked a winner and that winner is comment number 8 – Brittany, who said, “My favorite animal is the polar bear! But I absolutely love all animals! Thank you for this opportunity.”

Congratulations Brittany. I’ll be emailing you today with more information.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and don’t forget, if you see Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS, this opening week (April 22-28,2011) Disneynature will make a donation to The African Wildlife Foundation for the “See AFRICAN CATS, Save the Savanna” initiative.

As I noted yesterday, Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS is leaping into theaters near you on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.To learn more about this film and to see a stunning gallery of images from the film check out yesterday’s post – Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS Opens Earth Day 2011.

If you want to learn more about how to win a copy of Disneynature AFRICAN CATS: The Story Behind the Film, keep reading.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN!:

One Growing a Green Family reader will win a copy of the new book Disneynature AFRICAN CATS: The Story Behind the Film. This lovely companion book to the new film African Cats offers a unique look at the interwoven stories of each African cat featured in the film.

Filled with stunning photographs of the Kenyan plains and the remarkable animals that reside on them, this is the perfect book for an animal loving kid (or adult).

GIVEAWAY DURATION:

This giveaway starts today, April 14, 2011 and ends on Earth Day, Friday April 22, 2011.  Midnight – west coast time.

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this post, telling me your child’s favorite wild animal. If you’re child-free and still want to enter, that’s fine, just tell me your own favorite wild animal.

IMPORTANT RULES:

• U.S. Residents only please. Although Disneynature (and Growing a Green Family) love our worldwide pals, shipping is only possible in the U.S. for this giveaway.

• One entry per household please.

• On April 23, 2011, I’ll draw one random winner from all eligible entries, post the winner’s name here and also email the winner.

• VERY IMPORTANT! If you’re the winner, you’ll need to email me back by April 26th – which yes, is not a lot of time, but the giveaway sponsors are on a time crunch.  If you don’t email me back by the 26th, I’ll assume you’re not interested and award the book to another reader on the 27th.

• To get your prize to you I’ll need your full name, U.S. mailing address, valid email, and phone number. I don’t share this info with anyone but Disneynature promoters. However, if you’re not comfortable giving this info to me, please do not enter.

GOOD LUCK!

DON’T FORGET: during the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to AWF through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna. For more information about the movie and the “See AFRICAN CATS, Save the Savanna” initiative, check out the links below:  

• Disneynature online
• Tickets for groups of 20 or more are already available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6
• Tickets are available online.
• Join Disneynature on Facebook.
• Pledge to see “African Cats” on Eventful

Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS will be released in theaters worldwide, starting on Earth Day, (April 22, 2011).

AFRICAN CATS is a true story set in one of the wildest places on Earth. Narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the film’s story features three unique African cats – Mara, a quickly growing and endearing lion cub; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons.

Check out the  fun AFRICAN CATS trailer below…

Jump to the next page to see an amazing gallery of images from Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS, learn how this film supports conservation efforts plus get a heads up on the AFRICAN CATS giveaway I’ve got coming up tomorrow.

See the film and help support Savanna conservation

Two years, and two Earth Days ago, Disneynature planted trees for their film Earth. Then last Earth Day Disneynature gave funds to ocean conservation for their film Oceans. Now this year, they’re doing something similar.

In honor of each individual who sees AFRICAN CATS during its opening week (April 22-28,2011) Disneynature will make a donation to The African Wildlife Foundation for the “See AFRICAN CATS, Save the Savanna” initiative. Funds will be given to help support some awesome conservation efforts in the Savanna and help ensure the future of Africa’s diverse wildlife.

This looks like an excellent family-friendly, nature-minded movie for Earth Day (and beyond). Plus adorable! Check out the gallery below, featuring some of the characters in this film (not all are cats).

Oh, and stick around, because tomorrow, I’ve got a giveaway coming up where you can enter to win a companion coffee table book to Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS – African Cats: The Story Behind the Film.

See the film or connect with Disneynature’s AFRICAN CATS:

• Disneynature online
• Tickets for groups of 20 or more are already available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6
• Tickets are available online.
• Join Disneynature on Facebook.
• Pledge to see “African Cats” on Eventful

I very rarely buy books that aren’t specifically eco-friendly. But a few months ago I became a wee bit mesmerized with a book I saw at Powell’s and bought it – How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by Keri Smith. Since this is not a green book in particular, I’m not going to write a full review, but I do think this is a book that should be on every kids’ bookshelf.

What the book is about:

How to Be an Explorer of the World challenges kids (and adults) to observe their world with eyes wide open. Smith proposes various missions such as, “To document and observe the world around you. As if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.”

The book includes a series of interactive prompts and is wonderfully hand-illustrated in shades of black, white, gray and orange. There’s plenty of space for kids to jot down thoughts, keep graphs and lists and doodle. It’s a book that’s meant to be lugged around, messed up and written in.

Many of the activities and explorations proposed have a decidedly nature slant which encourages kids to get out there into the world rather than allowing them to sit still in front of the computer or TV.

I hyper LOVE this book. It’s probably one of the best ever that I’ve seen for kids and unschooling families will really like it. There’s a heavy push in the book to question everything, which is really refreshing. Kids will like the cool found art pictures and everyone will love the various quotes scattered throughout, all of which encourage us to live life a little louder.

A better way to get an idea of how flipping cool this book is, would be to browse through it, so I took a few pictures. However, I can’t find the camera, so I had to take some with my phone – sorry the pics are kind of blurry. Still, blurry or not, the gallery below should give you a good idea of what this book is about.

Smith is also the author of many other cool books that can help teach kids to think outside the box such as…

• Wreck This Journal
• The Guerilla Art Kit
• Tear Up This Book!: The Sticker, Stencil, Stationery, Games, Crafts, Doodle, And Journal Book For Girls!
• And more! See more of Smith’s work at her website.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Overall, I’d give How to Be an Explorer of the World a five on my typical rating system (the best score). From an eco-minded perspective, the book is not printed on recycled paper (from what I can tell) and it’s not overly focused on green issues, although it does slant heavily toward reuse and recycling, so technically on an eco-scale, it’d loose a point.

However, the book is not meant to be a green book. What it does do, very well, is encourage exploration, insight and active participation in the world. Many of us, kids included, get caught up in a lackadaisical passing through the world we occupy – which is sad and lame. Kids today are way overly involved in technology, sitting around and experience a rampant lack of playtime and adventure. This book can help combat these issues. I highly recommend you pick up a copy for your family.

+ Get the book – How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum

+ Keri Smith

In PDX we have a monthly parenting magazine; Metro Parent. It usually has good articles but one piece in particular captured and has held my attention since April – Free-Range Parenting: Letting Go So Kids Can Grow – read it here (flip to page 24).

The gist of the piece was that kids can go out on their own and still be safe. AND not only will kids still be safe but they’ll also be better prepared to deal with the world, build confidence and quite possibly have a happier childhood. It opens with a story of Emily,who at age five, made a deal with her parents that she could go to the park (200 ft away from their home) on her own. The article goes on to cover the book Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy.

Supposedly Skenazy wrote the book after writing a column for The New York Sun on “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Take The Subway Alone.” In Skenazy’s words, “Two days later I was on the Today Show, MSNBC, FoxNews and all manner of talk radio with a new title under my smiling face: “America’s Worst Mom?”” Wow.

Check out this video below for an intro to the book.

As part of an unschooling / Free School family I’m used to criticism about my parenting decisions so I’m not shocked that Skenazy was targeted for suggesting a parenting style outside the norm, yet I’m a little surprised people got so mad and upset.

That said, the article really made me think. It’s been on my mind almost continually since April. Why? Because I’m 100% guilty of NOT being a free-range parent. It’s an odd turn of events to realize this because…

• We unschool so Cedar gets more freedoms than many kids his age – food freedom, educational freedom, etc.
• I’m a huge nature / outdoor adventure advocate and think kids belong outside more often than not.
• I don’t believe in arbitrary rules for kids – I believe in rules that make sense from a safety standpoint but think that many rules enforced on kids are overrated. Yes I believe in helmets and baby proofing but I’m not the sort of parent who thinks a set bedtime or saying, “Because I said so” makes sense.

Yet, I don’t allow Cedar total outdoor freedom. Oh he’s outside a lot because in my opinion kids need to be outside but he’s out there with adults. We go out to the park or on a walk or he’ll go biking with his dad or he goes out with his pals at the Free School or at camp but he doesn’t go outside on his own much.

In New Mexico when he was three to six years old he did go outside on his own all the time because we lived in student family housing for the university I attended. Lots of kids, a safe park area, etc. He was always out running around. He had a set check-in time, but otherwise he was on the go alone. In Washington the same, I’d let him head out with his pals but not let him go very far.

Currently we’re in Portland and we’re living in a neighborhood without too many great places to play. We moved here to be closer to his school but that’s at a cost of green spaces. There are sidewalks but we have to walk a little ways to get to the neighborhood park. Since we’ve moved here Cedar doesn’t go out on his own. At nine he should be outside on his own – a lot.

When I was a kid I spent almost no time inside at all. Cedar doesn’t spend a lot of time inside either but he also doesn’t spend alone time outside. I almost never had an adult with me outside as a kid – I’d ride my bike for miles, climb tall trees and even hit the local swimming pool on my own or with friends. My pals and I would stay out until late at night even.

Now, I know very few kids who play outside with their parents and almost none who go out on their own nowadays.

WHY THE SHIFT?

Skenazy writes that the shift may be because adults think, “Times have changed.” And she goes on to say…

“They’re right of course — nothing stays the same. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, crime was on the rise. It went up and up until it peaked around 1990. The strange thing, though, is that since then, it’s been going back down. Dramatically. Today we are back to the crime level of 1970, according to Dept. of Justice statistics. So — unbelievable as it seems — if you were playing outside as a kid in the ’70s or ’80s, your kids are actually SAFER outside than you were!

It doesn’t feel that way (at ALL), because when our parents were raising us, there was no CSI. Law & Order was something you believed in, not something on the air 8 nights a week, made to look depressingly real. The other day I got a letter from a guy in an old Brooklyn neighborhood where they shoot a lot of Law & Order scenes. On TV, it’s always the backdrop for a rape or murder. In real life, he said, it’s a safe, quiet safe neighborhood — and therein lies the tale: There’s a big disconnect between the horrors on TV and the reality we live in.”

She’s not wrong. Stranger danger makes the news while car accidents (MUCH more likely to happen) don’t.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH SAFETY?

Nothing in my opinion but the more I think about free-range parenting the more I think that kids are being overly protected. At the free-range blog Skenazy sums it up nicely, saying, “Do you ever…let your kid ride a bike to the library? Walk to school? Make dinner? Or are you thinking about it? If so, you are raising a Free-Range Kid! Free-Rangers believe in helmets, car seats, seat belts — safety! We just do NOT believe that every time school age kids go outside, they need a security detail.”

By overly protecting kids we’re raising kids who aren’t brave or confident. Here’s a perfect example. At age nine I thought nothing of going outside on my own. Nothing. Today, my son wanted to stay home from camp because my boyfriend Dave’s daughters are here. Dave thinks it’s perfectly acceptable that his kids can sit inside all day and play video games or watch TV or read or whatever because, “They need a break – it’s summer.” I DO NOT agree. Yeah a break is good but it’s summer. Kids belong outside. Kids need exercise. Kids do not belong inside on their butt all day. Period.

I told Cedar, “Well, you can stay home from camp for the day, but you have to go outside a few times to play.” He said, “On my own” I said “Yeah, I’m working, that’s why you go to camp – because during the summer for most of the day I’m working and can’t go outside with you, and kids should be outside” – OMG you’d think I’d suggested he kill someone.

• Cedar: “I want someone to go with me!”
• Me: “You’re old enough to go outside on your own.”
• Cedar: “NO”
• Me: “Well, fine get your shoes on, I’m taking you to camp.”
• Cedar: VERY reluctantly, “Okay, I’ll go outside by myself.”

Do you realize how insane this is?

INSANE. And worse it’s my fault. In any case I managed to send Cedar off outside. He didn’t get kidnapped, I didn’t worry at all and he got some scooter riding in.

I’m lucky in that I know kids belong outside; playing. We do get out. Many kids don’t get out at all even with adults. However, I’m not so smart in that I’ve been going along with Cedar when he goes outside. That’s good for me actually, because I like being outside, but it’s not good for him. Plus sometimes, like today, I do need to work and can’t get outside.

I’m worried we’re raising a bunch of kids who won’t grow up to take risks. Kids who think it’s okay to be inside all day long. Kids who are losing out on a lot of fun. It’s really sad. My goal this summer is to read the book Free-Range Kids and to send Cedar out more often all on his own.

Read another opinion on free-range kids.

What do you think? Are we making a mistake by being overly concerned with strangers and dangers? OR are you already raising free-range kids?

Being that it’s officially summer it’s time to get down to business. And by business I mean summer fun. Here are some super fun nature minded and eco-friendly summer ideas for green kids.

Get outside!!!! I’m going to say this until you’re sick of me saying it, but until the kids I see are fit and healthy I’m gonna keep pushing outdoor play and exercise. You can hit the beach, go to the woods or just stroll around the neighborhood, but half or more of your summer activities should take place outside. Learn how to get outside more often. If the above is too much work find an affordable green summer camp.

Stargaze – Plan an green evening picnic during the warm months (or bundle up if it’s chilly) then wait around to stargaze. Right after dusk is the best time to stargaze and the best location is as far from city lights as possible. Post-dusk is a cool time too because it’s not too late for super little ones either which means the whole family can stargaze together.

Get a Treepee – Treepee is so flipping cool. It’s part tent, part trampoline, part rocker and all fun. Plus the whole deal is made with UV protected fabric that allows children to play safely in the sun away from harmful rays with a UV protection factor of 50+. Since you have to order from London it’ll make shipping emissions an issue, but still… Have you seen a cooler way to get kids outside?

Make some icy fun – homemade organic, eco-friendly ice pops are a great way to cool off all summer long.

Go hiking – Before 10am and after 4pm are the best times to take your little ones out on a summer hike. Unless you’re hiking through a shaded forest the sun is going to be too hot and bright and there’s an increased risk of heat exposure and sunburn. Also, kids are more likely to see cool wildlife in the morning and after 4pm because if it’s too hot and bright for us humans, what do you think the animals are doing? Yup, hiding. Learn more about planning a kid-friendly hike.

Find an event – There are tons of cool places to go in summer. Try the local zoo, outside concerts at the park, the Farmers’ Market or a local family farm. The best way to find local summer events is to check out your local parenting magazines – usually seen in grocery stores or visit your local travel website. For example here in PDX we have the Portland Oregon Tourist site that lists all the upcoming city events. It’s fun to act like a visitor to your own city. You can also check out Local Harvest for nearby farms and Farmers’ Markets.

Build a natural swimming pool – ok I know not everyone has the land for this, but if you do and have been considering a pool this summer (or next), why not build an eco-friendly natural swimming hole vs. a toxic material intensive chlorine filled pool?

Hang a DIY tire swing – got a tree? You can easily make a fun tire swing in just a few hours. There are lots of other DIY summer toys you can make as well.

What other fun summer activities can you think of?

This summer and for the rest of the year I hope one major goal you have is to get your family outside. Kids especially spend a depressingly large amount of time indoors nowadays and that’s unacceptable. Granted, it’s easy to keep on doing what you’re doing. Inside is easy. You’ve got books, video games, less dirt and grime and you don’t have to put in as much effort or time. However, spending 98% of the time is not healthy; not for you or your kids. Sitting inside is absolutely not a good way to raise green kids.

Nothing compared to the values your child gains from nature. A kid who is raised to love nature will be far more inclined to protect the planet when she grows up than a child who could care less because she was never exposed to nature.

If you need some killer ideas and help for getting your family outside more often check out the resources below.

YOU

Not one of the resources below matters if you’re not on board with being outside. Your kids pay super close attention to you and they love to mimic. If you’re reluctant to go hiking, swim in the lake, or even take a daily walk then your child will likely be happier inside or in front of the TV. If you don’t care, why should they? You can’t just go outside, you need to make being outdoors a positive experience.

• Dress for the weather so no one can complain.
• Take along gear to make it fun, like a bag for collecting rocks and leaves or a sled.
• Go to places with diverse nature – the beach, the woods, a marshland, a wide field at a farm.
• Get books that highlight the benefits of nature. My son always liked rock collection books, and he’d want to go hiking to find new rocks.
• Do art projects that use nature, such as building a solar cooker, making sun prints, creating holiday decor with leaves, and so on.
• When you’re outside you should also be talking about it. Discuss why leaves change color. Comment on that trash you see on the ground. Bring up why all those new buildings take away from the land.
• A community garden, beach clean-up, tree-planting event, and more makes for a fun and memorable day and also teaches your child that nature activities aren’t all solo. You can hang with others outside too.
• Be positive and get outside more often! There are totally days when I don’t feel like going on that walk or hitting the park. You just have to do it. On days where I’m feeling less than thrilled about heading out I try to consider what benefits my son will gain then I just do it. I always feel better having done an outdoor activity and in the end it’s always positive. Also, the more you do it, the easier it is. When my son was home FT with me, we’d get out 3-4 times a day which seems excessive to some people but it became a habit and we had an easier time thinking up new activities. Fellow PDX blogging mama Heather at EnviroMom has an excellent post up – How do you play? that really made me realize just how sorry I am when we skip outside playtime and also made me realize that it’s ok when I’m not perfect – trying is good!

National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is inviting families nationwide to sign up for the sixth annual Great American Backyard Campout, on June 26, 2010. Thousands of people across the country will gather in backyards, neighborhoods, communities, and parks for the one-night event created to get kids and families outdoors to sleep under the stars. You can register your family for the Great American Backyard Campout by visiting the Great American Backyard Campout website.

If you miss the Great American Backyard Campout the NWF still has plenty of resources to help your family get back to nature via their Be Out There program. From baby steps to nature to activities for a green hour outside to a helpful parent’s guide, Be Out There website is jammed packed with great outdoor ideas.

Outdoors Alliance for Kids

First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the Let’s Move OUTSIDE initiative this June bringing together an impressive national partnership called the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK). OAK brings together the YMCA of the USA, REI, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, The Outdoor Foundation, National Recreation and Park Association and the Children & Nature Network, collectively representing over 30 million members, to address the growing divide between children and families and the natural world. OAK offers tips for getting outside at their website or you can visit their Facebook page for frequently updated tips.

Other resources

• The Girl Scouts
• Children & Nature
• Nature Explore
• Camp Fire USA
• 4-H
• Nature Rocks
• American Hiking Society
• Appalachian Mountain Club
• Leave No Trace
• National Audubon Society
• Recreation.gov
• U.S. National Park Service