Families often ask what they can do with their children and what activities the community offers. One activity not very often mentioned involves the great outdoors—the world’s nature playground. Outdoor play benefits your child's motor, cognitive, and social-emotional skills.

Nature offers plenty of free props that inspire play—pebbles, flowers, grass, sticks, leaves, tree blossoms, and a small stream for vernal life. Look for what is in your backyard or visit many of the open parks in Danbury. Tarrywile, Bear Mountain, Farrington Woods, Still River Greenway, and Ives Parks are free of charge and open to the public.

Other kid-specific parks include the playparks at Rogers Park, Kenosia, Hatters, and Highland Parks. These parks have climbing equipment, and some have sandboxes.

Look for spots with lots of features, both human-made and natural. Children are more active where they have room to roam, run, and interact with nature. You might bring a few tools that children can use- rakes to make leaf piles, small cars and trucks for sand play, shovels for digging, and of course, a healthy snack. Invite and encourage your child to discover new items in the works through pretend play.

Point out interesting things in nature, such as the spring blooms (flowers) on maple trees or the buds of other trees and plants. On warm rainy days, put on boots and a raincoat and go exploring. Look for puddles and take a piece of chalk to draw a circle around them. Watch as the puddles get smaller and explain evaporation to your child. Teach words that help your child identify things in nature, such as “sprouting” or “flowering.” Take a small bag with you on your nature walk and collect items that can then be turned into a collage. Help your child describe what they are seeing and experiencing.

As spring is about to start in full force, take preschool-age children to a garden center and let them pick out a few flowers or vegetables to “plant in their own garden at home.” Using small, raised beds or large pots, children can watch the flowers grow. Planting seeds, such as green beans or other vegetables, enables your family to watch them grow and eat the vegetables. Incorporating more fresh vegetables into your diet helps to keep you healthy and build a strong body.

To learn more about healthy eating and fun activities to do with your family, visit Danbury Public Schools’ free Farm to School Family University on Saturday, April 26, where families learn together. This year’s focus is on Farm to School and healthy meals. Families cook a meal, participate in taste testing, and enjoy a farm-fresh lunch. Parents will be able to register for the workshop to expand knowledge on child development, reading students’ test scores, and supporting learning at home, healthy eating, and internet safety, while students participate in planting seeds, fitness, and creative arts. For more information, contact the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships and watch the DPS website at www.danbury.k12.ct.us for the registration link to Family University.

Anne E. Mead, Ed. D. is the director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships for Danbury Public Schools. She can be reached at 203-830-6508 or by email at meadan@danburyu.k12.ct.us.