5 super-fun ways to immerse little ones in nature

Whether you’re looking for ways to pass the school holidays or you’re simply in need of a breath of fresh air, immersing your rugrats in nature can be way more exciting than just “touching grass”, as the kids say. Keep this list of rad nature-filled activities handy next time you scoot the little ones out of the house.

GET ON YOUR BIKE If your kiddies watched the BMX competitions at the Olympics and declared, “I can do that”, you’d best get them on a GoBike quicksticks. The electric dirt bikes are a match made in heaven for little ones who can’t sit still at the offer of a thrill. Take the new wheels for a spin at your local park, then upgrade to a dirt bike trail near you when you’ve built up the bravery. GoBikes combine thrilling performance with the kind of safety every parent demands – and bloody well, too, seeing as the brand was founded by two adventure-seeking dads with a focus on safety for their little riders.

HOME IS WHERE THE CAMP IS Sleeping under the stars is incredibly underrated, especially when your imagination runs as wild as the Milky Way. Swap out glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars for the real deal with a camping trip down the coast or into the bush. You’d be hard-arsed trying to find a camping spot in Australia that doesn’t deliver some combination of awesome natural wonders. If your little ones aren’t quite ready to spend the night away from home just yet, popping up a tent in the backyard is also pretty darn fun – plus, their cosy beds are always awaiting them inside if a tantrum tempts to rumble.

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT OK, not actual bears. If you’re as crafty as your kids are, setting up a scavenger hunt at your local park is a sure-fire way to keep them entertained for a good while. Little trinkets, treats or paper-made things can be hidden in trees around a designated space, encouraging them to get down and dirty in nature. If time (or effort) is of the essence, an easier way to scavenge your way around town is coming up with some natural things to spot, kind of like I Spy. I spy a cockatoo, I spy a yellow flower, I spy a rad activity to help appreciate nature – you get the vibe.

BE A TOURIST We’re all guilty of forgetting how rad the places we live in are – especially adults. Having a kid by your side is the perfect opportunity to see the place you live in through new eyes, especially eyes filled with wonder and awe at a world in which they’re learning everything about for the first time. Think of all the touristy things in your city or town that you’d normally reserve for visitors, and go get among them. The famous national parks and historical artefacts you haven’t ever thought to visit might just be the perfect boredom-killer for the family. Plus, you might learn something new about the environment you live in – and your little ‘uns too.

PHOTO WALK Sometimes just going on a walk isn’t enough, there has to be some kind of fun-inducing activity involved. We get it! Little brains are stimulated too often to be able to be turned completely off. An easy way to integrate an activity into a nature walk – national parks, coastal strolls and even backyard adventures will suit – is to turn it into a photo walk. Nab a disposable camera for your kids and journey them to a wonderland of natural things. There’s something extra lovely about the tactility of an actual camera – plus, receiving the developed photos well after the adventure ends offers an extra little treat.

After more nature-filled stuff? Spy these sustainable camping tips or check out this deep-dive on cicadas. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop. This feature article was produced in partnership with the lovely folk at GoBike. To peruse their products, hop over to their website.