Families Connect to Nature

Connect Kids to Nature on Open Space and Mountain Parks

Turn off the TV and turn kids on to nature! Since 1898, City of Boulder residents have intentionally preserved the amazing lands that characterize Boulder. There are now over 45,000 acres for children and families to enjoy. In fact, Boulder was named the “best place to raise an outdoor kid” by Backpacker Magazine in 2009. There are many ways to connect with and explore nature. Below is information on the benefits of nature as well as many ideas to get a daily dose of nature on OSMP.

For Families: Take the Outside Every Day Challenge!

With schools closed and activities cancelled, it is more important than ever to get kids outside. That is why OSMP is partnering with other organizations and agencies from across our community to launch the Outside Every Day Challenge! Join us by signing the Outside Every Day pledge, and agreeing to try your best to get the children you care for outside around your home every day! You will receive regular emails from OutsideEveryDayChallenge.org with activities, contests, safety tips, and encouragement. Click Here to sign the pledge today!

It IS legal (and essential) to walk, run, and play outside every day as long as you follow social distancing and avoid visiting busy places. Stay as close to home and your neighborhood as possible to recreate and do not use playgrounds, picnic shelters, and public restrooms. Wear a cloth face mask and stay 6 feet away from people who are not in the same household.

Health, Kids & Nature

Spending time in nature has been proven to:

Increase creativity, self-confidence, academic achievement, and overall cognitive functioning.
Reduce obesity, stress, depression, and symptoms of ADHD.
Create compassion and improve social bonds
Foster a life-long passion and appreciation for plants, animals, rocks, stars and other elements of our natural world.

No Child Left Inside!
Did you know?

Nature-Deficit Disorder is a disconnection from nature experienced by communities, families, and individuals across the globe.

Children have experienced a 50 percent decrease in outdoor time over the last 25 years.

Kids spend an average of 7.5 hours per day connected to some type of electronic media such as television, computers, ipods, cell phones, and videogames.