Green/Simple Living

Yet another news story came out this week warning that children aren't getting outside enough on their own to play anymore. This one, from the Daily Mail in the U.K., cites government research finding that a full 25 percent of 8- to 10-year-old British children have never -- that's never -- played outdoors without adult supervision.

That's just sad, and it echoes a situation I commented on in an earlier blog post inspired by a news story about children finding nature "boring" unless it's on TV.

As the parent of a five-year-old boy who's trying to expand his boundaries on a daily, if not hourly basis, I understand the desire to protect your children. I also understand that not all families live in places with close access to a decent playground, a nice park or a bit of real-life nature. But there's got to be a way to do better by our kids, to give them a better chance to explore, learn about and understand the "real" world of nature. Second Life and Wii games aren't the answer.

So here are a few ideas for introducing kids to a world of nature, no matter where they might live: Plant a windowsill garden. Grow a few sunflowers in a patch of dirt outside. Sit on the porch, or even by an open window, and watch for -- and listen for -- birds. Buy some ladybugs to set loose in your backyard as natural pest control. In short, do, don't watch.