If you and your child just can't get enough of your urban environment, look no further! Here are a multitude of fun things to do around your city. All of these are adaptable to different cities, so feel free to personalize your experience. In all of the following be sure and emphasize how special and unique your city is. Use the links to find out more!
Gardening
You don't need a backyard to enjoy gardening!
There are many ways for children in cities to get to enjoy the experience of gardening. Here are just two examples, you can choose which option is best for you.
- Community Gardens - these are becoming very popular in cities around the US. They build community, while offering a place to relax and garden. Community gardening can be a great way to show your child the benefits of growing your own food, eating healthy, and getting to know your neighbors. Kids will love digging in the dirt, and will learn responsibility from taking care of a shared space. In addition, they will love the positive reinforcement of getting to eat something they grew themselves. Find a community garden near you here.
- Keep plants in your house - simply having a plant can be beneficial for a child. Children can learn so many lessons from plants, from photosynthesis, to plant parts, to responsibility. A plant can be a great addition to your home! Having plants in your house doesn't need to be complicated. Many stores offer plants already in pots and with soil. Or, you can buy seeds and share the entire process of a plant growing with your child. Bean seeds are a great way to start. Simply follow this process, and you can grow your own bean plant!
Photography
Empower your child through photography
Photography is a great way for your child to connect to their environment. It is also one of the simplest ways to give your child the power to guide their own learning. Follow these simple steps to help your child become a photographer!
- For this you can use an old digital camera that you have, buy a cheap camera from a second hand store, borrow one from a friend, or, my favorite option, purchase a disposable camera from a drug store.
- Take your child on a walk. Go somewhere that is familiar to them. There can be a specific destination in mind, or you can walk around the block.
- Give your child a theme for their photos. This can be simple or complex depending on your child's age and interests. Here are some suggestions:
- Have your child take pictures of things that are all the same color
- Tell your child to make a story through their photographs
- Ask them to look for things they have never noticed before
- The emphasis can be a 'zoom in' - have them get really close to notice small things
- Make it a scavenger hunt - tell them to find ten different things and take pictures of all of them
- Be patient. It may take a while for your child to settle on what to take a picture of. Or, they could use up all of their pictures in the first five minutes! Either way, remember that they are having fun, spotlighting their city!
Birding
Birding is an excellent way to get your child looking deeper into the nature of their city.
There are many birds that can be found in the city, you just need to look for them! Having your child get engaged with a specific type of animal is a great way for them to scale down their point of view. It will encourage them to look deeper and notice things they never saw before. To go birding, you really don't need any materials. If your child shows interest, binoculars or a field guide could be helpful, but aren't necessary. Choose a few of the following activities to turn yourself and your child into birders!
- a day in the life of a pigeon - Pigeons are common in almost all cities. They thrive here. But why? Pigeons have specific adaptations tp help them survive in this environment. Go out on a walk with your child and sit down somewhere (a bench, a park). Have them count how many pigeons they see in five minutes. If you see none, move on to another location. You can keep track of this, like a field journal, with older children. This can be an ongoing experiment for them to continue over time. Ask your child what they know about pigeons. Encourage them to learn more about these birds we see all the time. Now, check out some cool facts about these familiar birds!
- Discover what other birds may live in your city - make a running list of which you see and where you see them. Here is a list of the most common city birds.
- Look into some things you can do to help birds in your city. You can make bird feeders (most use recycled materials or things you already have around the house!), or you can get involved in making a bird house.
Take Advantage of Your City's Environmental Resources!
We are so lucky in cities to have access to many opportunities for environmental education. Many of these places offer free days, and have special exhibits dedicated to local environments. Taking your children to these places allows them to make memories, learn new things, and spend time with you!