Research linking the rise in childhood obesity to decreased physical activity and unhealthy dietary choices is well known. Less known but of increasing concern is the impact of outdoor activity on children's healthy development and wellbeing.

In Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder (2005), futurist and child advocate Richard Louv presents compelling research that directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s kids to a sharp rise in childhood obesity, attention deficit disorders and depression.

Connecting with nature and access to the outdoors are vital to kids’ healthy development and wellbeing, yet parents are challenged to find safe outdoor spaces and kids don’t know what they’re missing. Children’s museums are committed to supporting healthy children and families through active outdoor play and exploration of and respect for nature.

Looking for Outdoors Activities?
The National Wildlife Federation recently launched their Green Hour initiative. At their web site you can find great suggestions for outdoors family activities plus book lists, "make and do" ideas and a great parent's guide.
http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity

June 14 is National Get Outdoors Day
National Get Outdoors Day is a new annual event sponsored by dozens of federal agencies and non-profit organizations and the recreation industry to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Events are taking place at sites around the United States.
http://www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org

Children & Nature Network: Leave No Child Inside
This grassroots organization, inspired by Richard Louv's work, was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. There's a great news center and links to what's going on in communities across the United States.
http://www.cnaturenet.org

At the Children's Museum

Way To Go!
Some children's museums have wonderful outdoors areas for exploring, but many do not. So, here is an outdoors activity that you can do on your way to and from the museum. Before you start, make a note of the time and your car mileage (or zero out the trip odometer). Prepare your child to look out the window very carefully as you drive to the museum. Have him or her say out loud:

• Things that you are passing (buildings, trees, parks, etc.);
• Animals or insects;
• Turns that you take;
• Stops you make; and
• Road signs (if they are readers - if not you can say them).

When you get to the museum, have your child guess how many minutes the drive took and how many miles you traveled. On the way home, repeat the process. The next day, get a map and look together at the trip on the map. You can also use Google to generate a point-to-point map and print it out.

If you are taking public transportation, use the same process of observing landmarks and estimating time and mileage each way.