Together we have an opportunity -- a responsibility -- to fling open the window and doors of America’s indoor childhood and let the fresh air in. Let’s Be Out There together!

Want to Be Out There but not sure where and how to begin? Here’s a simple Be Out There guide to help you get started!

Be Curious

Any time of day, any time of year, something amazing is happening just outside your door. Begin by exploring with each of your senses. Encourage your child to look closely at a flower, listen to a bird song, sniff the rich damp earth, and feel a fuzzy leaf or a tree's rough bark. Practice delighting in each discovery you make, and your sense of wonder will grow stronger and stronger.

Be a partner in the game of discovery. You can observe and appreciate plants, birds, and bugs whether or not you know their names—you don’t have to be an expert. If identification is important to you, take along a field guide or visit the library and look up answers to your questions together. Or make up your own names for the new friends you meet!

Be a Role Model

Twenty years from now, your child may not remember every piano lesson or soccer practice. But you can bet they'll remember climbing a tree with you! You have tremendous influence as a role model. If you are squeamish about worms or spiders or rain or mud, your child is likely to follow suit. On the other hand, if you're the first one to fall over and make a snow angel or wade bravely into the pond to catch a bug, your child will probably be eager to try it too.

Be an Active Listener

Maybe you do have names or interesting facts about nature on the tip of your tongue. Knowledge can certainly add depth to your experience, but sometimes it's best to wait until your child asks before imparting it. Instead, notice what interests your child and try asking open-ended questions that will encourage him or her to think more deeply or investigate further. 

• "Why do you think that bird has grass in its beak?" 
• "Do you hear that sound? Let's see if we can find where it's coming from." 
• "You found an animal track! Where do you think the animal was going? Did it have big feet or small ones? Was it walking or hopping? What do your tracks look like when you walk and when you hop?"

Be Flexible

Follow whatever path sparks your interest, and if you end up doing something entirely different from the activity you set out to do, that's all right. By staying open, you'll be ready to take advantage of whatever spontaneous "teachable moments" come along. Maybe you'd planned to collect fall leaves, but if an unexpected guest—a bird, a squirrel, even a deer— appears and looks right at you, then by all means stop and watch and whisper your wonder to each other!

Be Prepared

A little advance planning will help ensure successful adventures. Often you won't need any special equipment, but you and your child might enjoy putting together a backpack of supplies to hang beside the door so that you're ready to head outside at a moment's notice. See the box below for some ideas about items to include.

You might also want to gather up seasonally-appropriate clothing and keep it handy near the door: coats, hats, mittens, boots for winter; rain jacket and mud boots in the spring and fall; sun hat, sunglasses, and sneakers for summer.

Another thing to gather is information about local community resources. Where are the nearby parks and trails? How about nature centers with family-friendly programming? Share this information with teachers or day care providers, too, and let them know how important it is for children to go outside.

Pack an Explorer's Kit

Here are some items you might want to include:

• Magnifying glass 
• Binoculars 
• Plastic bags and containers for collecting 
• Field guides 
• Notebook and pencil to record what you see 
• Camera 
• Water bottle 
• Sunscreen 
• Bug repellent 
• Band-aids 
• Blanket/tarp for sitting on the ground or building forts

Celebrate the Be-nefits

You'll enjoy spending time together doing wholesome activities you remember from your own childhood. You'll engage your child's curiosity and sharpen observation skills. You'll foster respect for the natural world. You'll also be healthier for it! Outdoor activities promote physical fitness and well-being, and spending time in a natural setting can reduce stress and improve concentration.

So what are you waiting for? Go on out and play!