In a survey conducted last month, 2,000 parents and grandparents in the UK were asked if they thought their children spent enough time outside. The result was both surprising and a little worrying.
A shocking 59% of parents and grandparents felt like their children should spend more time outside, especially as 81% agreed with the belief that an understanding of nature and the countryside was important to their upbringing.
Most parents admitted to only being able persuade their kids to go out for three to four hours a week, and grandparents had only a little more success, averaging at seven hours.
The Really Wild Show presenter and special guest at this year’s Spring Caravan and Camping show Nick Baker strongly believes children should spend a lot of time out of doors, and that children growing up in an age of technology lack natural curiosity.
“If you have a curious spirit and a willingness to explore, the outside world has endless entertainment riches to offer,” he said.
Luckily, the survey results show that the majority of parents and grandparents encourage kids to explore the great outdoors, but 15% state that they could do with more help.
Another 60% of participants stated that they would like to go on a caravanning holiday, and the Camping and Caravan show at the NEC in Birmingham this week gave a taste of the activities to do with the kids during camping and caravan holidays, including rock climbing, fishing and exploring wildlife.
Now seems a better time than ever to take your kids to explore the great outdoors by visiting a zoo, a farm, a park or even a swimming pool, all of which are popular with kids.
As Nick says “something is happening in nature all the time, you just have to look for it – and you don’t have to look very hard. It doesn’t have to cost anything and everyone in the family can get involved, whether they are on holiday or at home.”
What do your kids do on caravanning holidays? Post your comments below.
