Connecting kids with nature
4 tips to connect kids with nature
You don’t need to be an expert to help your kids connect with nature. You just need to slow down, be curious and create ways of sharing your experiences.
Watch our video of the amazing marine life we discovered at our recent Rockpool Ramble at Bottle and Glass Point near Nielsen Park. Our guides from Marine Discovery Bondi ensured everyone had loads of fun while exploring this important area for biodiversity.
Here are four tips to help your whole family connect with nature. We’ve used examples from exploring our local rock pools but you can apply the same principles in backyards, parks and bushland areas.
- Slow down
At the rock pools you can start by exploring one pool closely, looking for shells, sea stars, different shapes and colours, anything that’s moving. Then meander over to next pool and find what is similar and what is different. Be still and quiet, keep looking at the same spot until some of the shy or well camouflaged creatures reveal themselves and start to move. As one of the parents at our recent Rockpool Ramble commented, “We’ve been here before, but we really didn’t notice much. There’s so much to see when you take time to look more closely”.
- Be curious
Encourage everyone to ask questions, even if nobody knows the answers. Listen out for what the kids find most interesting and follow their interest by asking them more. What do you think this creature might eat? How would this creature move? Why does this creature have a hard shell? For children that like science, encourage them to look up some answers when they get home.
- Share stories
Take time over dinner to share stories of your favourite creatures, the weirdest or scariest things you saw. This will show that you value experiences in nature. For creative kids get out the art supplies and draw, paint or sculpt what you’ve seen. Send a 5 second video of their favourite creature to grandparents or friends. For the budding marine biologists share your photos on iNaturalist and the community will help identify what you’ve seen.
- Try, try, try again
Keep coming back to the same spot regularly to reveal how the area changes with tides, winds and weather conditions. Even if your visits are only a day or two apart you’re likely to observe something new. You’ll also come to know the place more deeply, finding the favourite hide-out of the octopus, the best pool for sea stars or a pool with tiny fish hiding amongst the sea weed.
More information
Where can I find local rock pools?
Some of the best local rock pools are at Bottle and Glass Point at Nielsen Park. You may also like to head over to Bondi and compare the creatures found in the ocean rock pools with those in our harbour.
When is a good time to visit rock pools?
Low tide is the best time to explore rock pools. It’s also important to be aware of the tides to make sure you can get back to your starting point safely. You can find the tide times here.
Stay safe
- Take care as some marine creatures can sting or are venomous. Don’t put your fingers in anything you can’t see.
- Wear enclosed shoes to protect your feet and take your hat, sunscreen and water.