Image by Paul Harris A new study by the Wildlife Trusts recently looked at the beneficial effect of outdoor activities on children.
They looked at activities such as learning about nature, identifying trees and plants and finding out about wildlife habitats. Perhaps unsurprisingly the surveys found that children not only enjoyed the activities but also showed improvements in their sense of personal wellbeing and health.
They even felt more confident about their school work, leading the Wildlife Trust to recommend that children should have the chance to spend at least an hour per day outdoors leaning and playing in 'wild places'.
The survey focused on children: surely the benefits would be even greater for those who are otherwise office-bound, spending very little time outdoors.
Here are our top ten ways to spend time outdoors, whether you're a child or just young at heart:
They looked at activities such as learning about nature, identifying trees and plants and finding out about wildlife habitats. Perhaps unsurprisingly the surveys found that children not only enjoyed the activities but also showed improvements in their sense of personal wellbeing and health.
They even felt more confident about their school work, leading the Wildlife Trust to recommend that children should have the chance to spend at least an hour per day outdoors leaning and playing in 'wild places'.
The survey focused on children: surely the benefits would be even greater for those who are otherwise office-bound, spending very little time outdoors.
Here are our top ten ways to spend time outdoors, whether you're a child or just young at heart:
- Feel like you're on top of a mini-world, by climbing one of the Dales 30
- Explore a wonderful woodland, such as Hackfall or Skipton Castle Woods
- Stand and stare in awe at one of the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls, particularly after a good downpour
- Find a folly, and play hide and seek - try the Rocket Ship or Druid's Temple for starters
- Hire a bike or join an organised ride with Stage 1 in Hawes or Dales Bike Centre by Reeth
- Plan a visit to the Yorkshire Dales when you can explore the hay meadows, spotting and identifying dozens of wildflowers and grasses
- See the Yorkshire Dales from a different perspective, on horseback
- Take a walk with a difference, joined by a llama or alpaca
- Enjoy time spent outdoors exploring, with the aid of a Yorkshire Trail
- Build a den and create your own magical outdoor kingdom. Autumn is a great time to do this, when there are plenty of fallen sticks.
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