Green Hour http://www.greenhour.org Most adults of a certain age have childhood memories of carefree days spent playing outdoors -- climbing, digging, collecting, building, and exploring the natural world around them, at their own pace, in their own way.<br /> <br /> Those children of a generation ago are the parents of today, and you might expect such outdoor play to be part of their families' lifestyle. But today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood. Their senses -- including, most sadly, their sense of wonder -- are bombarded, overwhelmed, and ultimately diminished.<br /> <br /> Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, refers to this nature-child disconnect as "nature deficit disorder." One of the primary symptoms is the replacement of the green space by the screen space as the occupier of children's free time. Indeed, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Studies have linked excessive television viewing to obesity, violence, and even lower intelligence in kids. Now, a growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts. Feeder 1.4.8 http://reinventedsoftware.com/feeder/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en National Wildlife Federation greenhour@nwf.org Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:52:34 -0400 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:52:34 -0400 kids & family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/logo_green_hour.jpg Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation http://www.greenhour.org 144 144 Discover the wonders of nature... National Wildlife Federation Discover the wonders of nature... Most adults of a certain age have childhood memories of carefree days spent playing outdoors -- climbing, digging, collecting, building, and exploring the natural world around them, at their own pace, in their own way. Those children of a generation ago are the parents of today, and you might expect such outdoor play to be part of their families' lifestyle. But today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood. Their senses -- including, most sadly, their sense of wonder -- are bombarded, overwhelmed, and ultimately diminished. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, refers to this nature-child disconnect as "nature deficit disorder." One of the primary symptoms is the replacement of the green space by the screen space as the occupier of children's free time. Indeed, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Studies have linked excessive television viewing to obesity, violence, and even lower intelligence in kids. Now, a growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts outdoor activities, kids, nature, nature activities, activities for kids, parenting, environment, environmental, reversing nature deficit no National Wildlife Federation greenhour@nwf.org no Night Hike http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2386 It's a beautiful fall night; crisp and clear. The perfect night for a hike. And, this time, we've gotten our neighbors to join us. Slowly but surely, we're getting other parents in our neighborhood excited about getting outside with their kids.

Our local nature center offers monthly night hike programs. Over the past several months, the kids and I have gotten to know the trail we're on very well. How different it all seems at night!

]]> Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 night-hike National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities It's a beautiful fall night; crisp and clear. The perfect night for a hike. And, this time, we've gotten our neighbors to join us. Slowly but surely, we're getting other parents in our neighborhood excited about getting outside with their kids. Our local nature center offers monthly night hike programs. Over the past several months, the kids and I have gotten to know the trail we're on very well. How different it all seems at night! no 2:56 Let It Snow http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/673 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:34:05 -0500 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-082554.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities As adults, it's easy to forget the wonder of snow. When you're a kid, SNOW = JOY. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 4:00 Star Light, Star Bright http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/722 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:30:54 -0500 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-122648.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities It's a common symptom of winter at our house -- by the time we've finished the day's work, school, errands and chores, it seems we've run out of daylight to play in. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 4:20 Backyard Detectives http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/738 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:30:54 -0500 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123021.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Today, we are doing one of our favorite activities: a good, old-fashioned backyard scavenger hunt. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:25 For the Birds http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/738 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:30:54 -0500 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123120.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities My daughter informed me today that her teacher set up a birdfeeder outside the window at school. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:59 Winter Tracking http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/738 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:30:54 -0500 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123228.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Crooked little hash marks are scattered around the birdfeeder area. A small patch of snow is left in our otherwise soggy yard. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:11 A Tree Named Stanley http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/738 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123337.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities The whole family is out in the yard today! My husband has the day off, so we're enjoying some time together outside. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:03 Any Way the Wind Blows http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/931 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123430.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities "Wooooshhhh!" My son shouts with glee as he spins wildly, arms outstretched, giggling. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:10 Song of Spring http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/978 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123558.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Peep. Peep. PEEP. The chorus is amazing. A sound louder than should be possible, coming from such tiny creatures. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:56 Splashing in the Rain http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1024 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123651.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities "It's raining again," the kids whine, looking out the window at our increasingly soggy yard. I feel the same way, I think -- whiny. A little blue, and sick of being inside. The kids are getting antsy. We've all had enough outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:10 Bird Safari http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1053 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-123814.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Out the window, my daughter sees a group of small brown birds sitting in a tree. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:33 Buds and Blooms http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1245 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-173721.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Spring is my favorite time of year. I love the thought of everything being new again. Fresh start. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:03 Wildlife Observation Hike http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1336 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-173849.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Today we have a playdate with our neighbor's kids. But there will be no toys, games or videos today -- instead, we are going to the local park on a wildlife observation hike. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 4:13 Fort Badger http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1336 Thu, 03 May 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174004.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities As a kid, there's something magical about having a place to call your very own. My brothers and I had a tree house where we spent countless hours playing, watching birds, and even sleeping out on warm summer nights. Our tree house was our sanctuary and the center of a thousand adventures, both real and imagined. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:49 Roly Poly Roundup http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1336 Thu, 10 May 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174106.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities I'm not going to lie: creepy-crawly things are not my favorite type of wildlife. But the kids can't get enough of them, especially my son. Resolved to suck it up and learn to love the creepy-crawlies, I head out with the backyard detectives to see what we can find. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:41 Quiet Time http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1525 Wed, 23 May 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174223.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Walking into the kitchen, I notice my husband staring out the window, coffee in hand, smile on his face. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:56 Butterfly Garden http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1611 Thu, 31 May 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174325.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities A few weeks ago, my daughter mentioned that her class was learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:30 Color Walk http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1644 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174414.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Walking into the kitchen, I notice a familiar site -- crayons everywhere. I stand and stare at all the colors and have a thought. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:55 Backyard Campers http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1749 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174556.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Clank! The tent poles rattle together as my son dumps them on the lawn. He looks pleased by the racket he has caused. We've decided to do a practice run of pitching the tent before we go on our first camping trip together. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:08 Binoculars for Beginners http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1790 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-174703.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Is it a bird? Well, kind of. It's actually my son in a bird hat, which is simply a red ball cap he taped feathers to. If asked, he proudly claims to be a cardinal. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:18 Family Action Day http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1852 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-181631.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Today we've decided to give back to our local park, a place we've been using frequently since we started spending more time outdoors. Nature programs and picnics, trail hiking and bird watching. We've gone from mere playground visitors to lovers of this corner of our world, exploring each acre one small step at a time. It seems only fitting that we help keep it clean and in good shape. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:15 Just Whistle http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1931 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-181751.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities It's the middle of a lazy summer day, and the kids have just dropped the B-word on me. B as in Bored, which they claim to be. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:13 Field Trip http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1931 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-181914.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Now that school is out, I am trying to think of things to keep us busy -- we've got to do more than just go to the pool this summer. I checked the local Parks and Recreation calendar and was delighted to find that there are nature hikes, bird walks and children's programming going on weekly at out local nature center. Perfect, I thought to myself. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:04 Clouds http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/1964 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182017.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities "It looks like a horse," my daughter says. "No, it's a rhino," my son informs us. "Hmmm. I think it looks like a unicorn." outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:57 Wiggly Wonderful Worms http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2040 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182116.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Squatting in the grass, my son is doing one of his favorite post-rain activities: looking for worms! outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:55 Gone Fishing http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2134 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182223.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities I'm sitting on the log, just watching. And listening. My husband reminds the kids to be quiet, that the fish can hear them. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:19 Magic Meteors http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2148 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182313.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities a??Star light, star brighta?|a?? they whisper. Lying on blankets in the yard, the kids are waiting for the show to begin. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:55 Sensational Shorebirds http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2182 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182406.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Giggles fill the air. Over the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and the gulls crying above, you can hear my children laughing. I see my son, arms outstretched like wings. He swoops, he soars. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 3:04 C is for Canoe http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2212 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182521.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities A look of determination crosses his small face. While the oar may be longer than he is tall, my son is patiently learning how to control it, and the canoe is starting to move more fluidly across the small lake. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:52 Lazy Hazy Reading Day http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2213 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182626.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities A small, bare foot hangs over the side of the hammock next to a much larger one. The boys are lazing in the hammock again. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:51 Alphabet Hike http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2323 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-182903.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Somehow, summer has come and gone. A whirlwind of fireflies, s'mores and a thousand little natural delights found in our backyard and beyond. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:41 A Trip to the Creek http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2331 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:30:54 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/podcast180907-183001.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Before it gets too cold, we decide to take one last trip to the creek. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:44 Adopt a Tree, Part 2 http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2344 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:29:44 -0400 Kids & Family F51FC4DE-6DDF-11DC-A41E-0014514173BC-603-000000A37CB698C1-FFA Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Journal and camera in hand, we head out to the backyard to check on our adopted trees. Last spring, each member of our family adopted a tree to get to know and observe over the seasons and years. At the time, we had taken their photos and made notes. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:44 Gardening for the Birds http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2355 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:31:25 -0400 Kids & Family 33CE54D4-6DE0-11DC-A41E-0014514173BC-603-000000A44DAE38C9-FFA Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities a??Clunk!a?? goes the shovel. At the edge of the backyard, my kids are taking turns digging a hole. I have a feeling that it's going to be bigger than it needs to be, but they're having so much fun I don't have the heart to tell them. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:44 Apple Picking http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2356 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:18:18 -0400 Kids & Family http://www.greenhour.org/images/itunes/GH_034_Apple_Picking.mp3 Green Hour - National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities "You can smell them, Mom!" my daughter says, her eyes wide with wonder. We are standing in the orchard, looking at hundreds of apple trees. outdoor activities, kids, winter activities, nature no 2:44 Leaf Jumping http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2384 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:50:08 -0400 leaf-jumping National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities There's a point in life when raking leaves is still fun, before we look at it as a chore. As every child knows, it's about the pure and simple joy of the pile. The bigger the pile, the better. And you know what comes next: JUMPING! no 3:34 Nutty Buddies http://www.greenhour.org/content/activity/detail/2385 Quick. Silly. Furry. Crazy. But, most of all, cute!

Standing on the back porch, we are watching squirrels dart back and forth. The fall acorn frenzy has started -- and it's so much fun to watch. My kids are nuts about squirrels, which is great, since it's easy to see them every day. Backyard, schoolyard -- almost anywhere you look you can find a squirrel.

]]> Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 nutty-buddies National Wildlife Federation Discovery Journal & Activities Quick. Silly. Furry. Crazy. But, most of all, cute! Standing on the back porch, we are watching squirrels dart back and forth. The fall acorn frenzy has started -- and it's so much fun to watch. My kids are nuts about squirrels, which is great, since it's easy to see them every day. Backyard, schoolyard -- almost anywhere you look you can find a squirrel. no 2:48