About the campaign

With the fast pace of our daily lives, it’s often difficult to slow down and enjoy the tremendous natural resources our state has to offer. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and its key partners, encourages parents to commit to spending time outside with your family on a regular basis. From fishing and hiking, to just taking a walk in the park, you’ll make lasting memories while promoting an active lifestyle for your family.

Children who are in touch with their natural environment are healthier, do better in school, have better social skills and self-image, and lead more fulfilled lives.

And there’s no doubt that healthy children continue to make healthy lifestyle choices as they grow into adults.

We believe that this program will give your families an opportunity to appreciate and believe in the benefits of the great outdoors.



What Can You Do?

Grow Outside - Guide to Outdoor Play (courtesy of LNCIgc.org)
Ten Tips

Teacher Resources

ODNR Educational Resources
ODNR Kids Activities/Games

Research

Where do the children play?
AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES - read more
Tots & Toddlers (1–2)
Toddlers are infinitely curious. For them, play and learning go together. But until children are about four, it isn’t necessary to “teach” them. Rather, let them make their own discoveries with sticks, rocks, leaves.
Early Childhood (3–5)
Children insatiably seek knowledge, asking “Why?” Gross motor skills are developing, and the world becomes a series of objects to climb. Hold your child’s hand as she masters stumps, logs, and rocks in the forest preserve. At this stage, nature is part make-believe and part reality.
Middle Childhood (6–12)
Wonder transitions into exploration. Psychologist Louise Chawla suggests that lasting impressions of nature are made at this stage. Allow your kids to venture into nearby nature on their own to exercise growing confidence.
Adolescence and Teens (13 and up)
An adolescent’s primary concern is establishing an identity and asserting independence while gaining peer acceptance. Young adulthood doesn’t switch off a person’s appreciation for nature. Rather, teens may enjoy it through more ambitious activities like rock climbing or backpacking.