My kids do not care about nature and animals

[Anonymous]

They think animals are smelly & stinky, especially the ones that we visited at the zoo indoors. They refuse to get closer and cover the mouth with cloth the whole time nagging nonstop. They think dirt and bugs are nasty and dirty. They hate the sight of bees because they are afraid that they might get stuck.

How do you nurture the love of nature and natures if kids hate it.

[Anonymous]

Go outside.

[Anonymous]

Take them swimming with alligators.

[Anonymous]

How old are they? How much time do you spend outside, and where?

[Anonymous]

Is it just zoo animals, or is it all animals? Like, would they go up and pet a puppy?

[Anonymous]

What have you done to make them enjoy nature? Do you take them outside to play or do they sit inside playing video games all day? Do you lay in the grass and watch the clouds? Rake leaves and jump in them? Catch lightning bugs? Go hunting for edible fruit? Expose them to the outdoors more and they’ll learn to like it. Make fun scavenger hunts or have lessons on specific animals, start a leaf collection. So much you can do to encourage outdoor play. The more you expose them to it the more they’ll enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What have you done to make them enjoy nature? Do you take them outside to play or do they sit inside playing video games all day? Do you lay in the grass and watch the clouds? Rake leaves and jump in them? Catch lightning bugs? Go hunting for edible fruit? Expose them to the outdoors more and they’ll learn to like it. Make fun scavenger hunts or have lessons on specific animals, start a leaf collection. So much you can do to encourage outdoor play. The more you expose them to it the more they’ll enjoy it.

This.

[Anonymous]

Go to special programs at local nature centers.

[Anonymous]

Are you overdoing it? My dad always tried to make me love space/stars and got really mad when I resisted. I refused to be interested, mostly to spite him.

[Anonymous]

Why bother? What’s your end goal?

[Anonymous]

OP - I love nature and am not a big fan of any of the things you mentioned. My kids enjoy going on hikes and walking around looking at flowers etc. I didn't enjoy nature much as a kid. In college, I explored more outdoor activities like hiking and climbing and developed a love for it. Starting with learning about the environment (not as prevalent in the 80s as now, of course) led to studying biology, environmental science etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They think animals are smelly & stinky, especially the ones that we visited at the zoo indoors. They refuse to get closer and cover the mouth with cloth the whole time nagging nonstop. They think dirt and bugs are nasty and dirty. They hate the sight of bees because they are afraid that they might get stuck.

How do you nurture the love of nature and natures if kids hate it.

Let them be. I hate the outdoors. I went to day camp in the woods, I went to a science sleepover thing on an island for a week, I've gone on hikes. I hate being dirty, hate small animals, and hate bugs, and am afraid of being stung by a bee (which has happened to me). I'm a city girl. I'm happy indoors - reading, hanging with friends, dancing, yoga-ing, comedy shows, etc. I'll go outside for a walk in a neighborhood with cute little shops but have no interest in nature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why bother? What’s your end goal?

+1

We spent plenty of time outdoors when my kids were younger. My husband and I love hiking and camping (went cross country together after college) and even though we took the kids on local hikes quite often, they both now are uninterested. They are 15 and 13. They are who they are.

[Anonymous]

Daily walks. Observe nature. Hike on local trails. Looks for and observe birds and animals. Go on scavenger hunts. Comment on and draw attention to the seasons, sunsets, changing weather, etc. my kids love the outdoors but that is because it’s something we value and have made daily time outdoors a non negotiable. We also sled/swim/ride/walk/scooter/blow bubbles/fly kites/build forts/etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take them swimming with alligators.

This.