G is for...Getting Outdoors!

Every day when we walk in the door, my son asks for a popsicle and to go sit on the porch and watch cars go by. I don't know where he got that from, but it is his favorite thing in the world.

In these last days of summer, I've been saying yes.

I had been saying "No, we need to do the dishes/make dinner/have a healthyish snack before popsicles/lay down and not talk for five minutes/etc" but now I just say yes. We ate three popsicles and saw a lot of black trucks, red vans, blue cars, white cars, and one green car today.

There happen to be so many healthy reasons to go outside more: it helps you focus, it gives your eyes rest from screens, it gets you Vitamin D, and a host of other tangible and intangible benefits. Some say its good for the soul.

Before the summer ends, here are some bucket list items to get your fill of the outdoors:

1. Scout the best parks:

There are quite a few parks near our little house, and there are some clear winners out there. Get your own rating system, and find the best for strolling, the best for kicking a ball around, the best playgrounds, the best parking

2. Watch ants marching:

Ants are everywhere and there is something about kneeling down and peering at them as they busy themselves that is so interesting--for all ages. Watch them and find their route home.

3. Go to your nearest body of water:

Be it a lake, a river, the ocean, a pond, or just the fountain at the mall, go sit by the water. My son loves finding rocks and throwing them in water, or just splashing.

4. Color all the sidewalks:

Sidewalk chalk is so satisfying and perfect for being outdoors in warm weather. It's basically a symbol of Spring, thats why it shows up in every Easter baskets. So in the final sunny days before fall and winter, color up all the sidewalks.

5. Eat some popsicles and watch cars:

My son came up with this and it's pretty damn sweet.

#outdoors #lists #activities