Family

15 ways to nurture your wellbeing outdoors before you turn 14

By Glam Adelaide

Posted on December 28, 2022

Nature Play SA has launched a resource that is aimed at encouraging children to be more active through numerous lists of activities to try before the age of 14.

Research has uncovered that South Australians aren’t active enough. Leading South Australian, not-for-profit organisation and authority in many facets of children’s lives, Nature Play SA, has launched a resource that is aimed at encouraging children to be more active.

Broken down into three separate lists, Nature Play SA collectively gathered 56 activities for children to try. This particular list cites 15 ways to nurture your wellbeing outdoors before turning 14.

Birdwatch – Calm your mind and ignite your curiosity with learning to birdwatch or identify through song.
Find a sit spot – Tune into your surroundings by quietly sitting in nature.
Plant veggies – Nurture the earth and your soul by planting veggies and herbs in your garden or a pot.
Stargaze – Connect with the night sky by stargazing and finding constellations or listen to podcasts about the stars.
Weave – Practice mindfulness by gathering leaves, flowers and grasses with a friend to weave nature bracelets and necklaces.
Create a habitat for insects – Contribute to conserving wildlife by creating habitat for native bees and other insects by building or sourcing an insect hotel.
Plant native seedlings – Connect with local wildlife by attracting butterflies and ladybirds to your garden by planting native seedlings in your garden or pots.
Walk barefoot – Get grounded and find some cool earth to walk barefoot.
Whittle – Get grounded and find some cool earth to walk barefoot.
Make mud balls – Soothe your senses by exploring the art of dorodango (mud balls).
Draw or paint – Get creative in nature by drawing or painting outside.
Knit, sew or mend – Find a calming place outside to sit and finger knit, sew a button, or mend something.
Race bark and sticks – Channel your competitiveness by heading to a flowing creek and race bark and sticks.
Fly a kite – Get your body moving and head to your local reserve or beach to fly a kite.
Explore a jetty – Spend time at a jetty spotting marine creatures or go fishing, crabbing or squidding.