- Jun 15, 2023
- 2 min read

Make This Fun Nature Card with Dad for Fathers Day

Father’s Day is just in a couple days, so we are trying to come up with fun alternative ways to spend time together. You can do this anytime of year, but this was a good excuse. Spending time outdoors together offers many benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Engaging in outdoor activities as a family fosters a sense of connection and teamwork, strengthening family bonds. The fresh air and natural surroundings contribute to improved mood and reduced stress levels. Physical activities like hiking, biking, or playing sports promote a healthy lifestyle and instill a love for an active routine in children. Additionally, exposure to nature enhances creativity, cognitive function, and overall mental health. Whether it's a simple picnic, a nature walk, or a day at the park, the positive effects of outdoor family time extend far beyond the immediate moment, creating a foundation for a happier and healthier family life.

How to make your nature card: First gather your supplies for this we used cardstock, scissors, and clear duct tape.

Next I cut the card into four pieces, and attach the clear tape to the back folded over so it is sticky on the outside.

I haven’t used these but if you want to skip these steps you could try these sticky cards.

Another alternative to the sticky card, if your child is past the sticking everything in their mouth phase, is the bracelet. This could easily be done by putting the tape around their wrist sticky side facing out. Addie is not ready for this yet, but we will try it when she is older.

"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." - Gary Snyder

After you have your sticky card, pre-made card or bracelet together you are ready to start your nature adventure.

We went outside in nature for fathers day and talked about the different plants, grasses, and trees. The weather was nice, and Addie really seemed to enjoy the plants. Father's Day was such a beautiful day to slow down and spend time outside. Especially picking the flowers and leaves. While it didn't hold her attention for more than 10 minutes, it was still a great activity. Afterwards her dad played with her on her bike. I'd love to this activity on a nature hike next time.

Some benefits from being outside is that it encourages curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.

With Addie's age we kept the information pretty basic, we said things like "Addie this is a Nandina bush," "Look at this flower, Addie. Do you want to pick it? It is a white clover." While we know most of the wildlife in our yard, we stick to pointing out the ones we recognize, emphasizing the color, shape, "how does that leaf feel."

This is not just a great activity to do for Father's Day, but a great activity for anytime of the year.