Just a few decades ago, children actually played in the garden, rolled in the dirt, watched wildlife, and climbed trees. Today, they spend more time indoors playing and watching screens. For parents who can’t realistically disconnect their tots from the digital world, why not use technology to raise nature-loving kids?
As tech becomes more and more accessible, nature is getting farther and farther away. Nothing beats kids being one with nature in promoting creativity, imagination, and love for Mother Earth. So, to bridge the gap, make your kids watch and connect with these nature-inspired shows and apps.
Nature Apps for Kids
Taking your kiddos on a nature trip creates a memorable and fun learning experience. But if traveling, camping or hiking is out of reach, these apps will suffice.
WWF Together
Through interactive storytelling, this app shows 16 endangered animals and 360° images of 10 species’ habitats, providing helpful insights about wildlife preservation.
Picture Insect: Spiders and Bugs
Identify insects with AI. Snap a photo of bugs, upload it and get instant and accurate results. It’s a great mix of technology and outdoor play. But if your kids took a picture of tiny insects in their bedroom or on your couch, that might be a call for bed bug treatment.
Bird Field Guide for Kids
This is a kids’ guide to 500 common birds in the US and Canada, with over 1,500 images, playback recordings for all songbirds and range maps.
DIY Lake Science
This app educates kids (adults too) about lakes and freshwater ecosystems through hands-on activities.
iNaturalist
Suitable for older kids and adults, this app allows them to take pictures of plants and animals and upload, share and discuss their findings.
Nature Games for Kids
Show kids that learning about nature can be fun with interactive and environment-themed online games.
Coral Bleaching
Crafted by NASA, this easy but highly informative game explores the effects of water temperature and pollution levels on the corals. Kids can increase and decrease the sea temperature and pollution and create a storm to check the impact on coral reefs.
Eco Empire
It’s a fun recycling simulation game that educates about the significance and difficulties of recycling while featuring Cartoon Network characters from We Bare Bears, Teen Titans Go and many more.
Sesame Street Go Green
It’s an animated game that promotes environmental awareness and sustainability through fun activities, segments, and episodes. It also showcases popular Sesame Street characters such as Grover, Oscar, Bert and Ernie.
Nature YouTube Channels for Kids
Pew Research Center shares that 80% of parents allow children aged 11 or below to watch YouTube videos. Among them, 53% state that their kids view it daily. And from that figure, about one-third of them say their kids do so multiple times a day. Here are some YouTube channels that will spark your kids’ interest and care for nature:
SciShow Kids
In this channel, Jessi and the team research new questions, conduct experiments and chat with experts to learn about the world in the eyes of science.
BBC Earth Kids
Incorporating the best clips from the BBC’s natural history programs, this channel shows awesome creatures, fun facts and tips and tricks to draw animals.
Wild Kratts
This channel invites kids to explore the world and see incredible animals with brothers Chris and Martin Kratt. The cool and comedic videos focus on wildlife adventures and animal behavior.
Dodo Kids
Dedicated to preschoolers and up, Dodo Kids educates, inspires, and promotes concern toward animals by showing heartwarming animal rescue stories and fun-fact videos.
FreeSchool
More than exposing kids to nature and wildlife, this channel also teaches about children’s literature, classical music and famous art.
Nature Through the Lens
Since your kids are on smartphones anyway, how about nudging them to do a bit of photography? You can let them use the same phone or buy affordable cameras to promote the hobby.
So, while they run around your child-friendly garden or enjoy a walk at the zoo, they can capture wildlife images, too. In time, they can even start a photography blog.
Keep an eye on your kids as they explore nature because some animals are just that – wild and harmful. Even in your garden or inside your house, there can be pests that pose a danger to you and your children’s health. Sometimes, you can control the spread of pests. Other times, you need experts for more challenging cases like mice control.
To Sum It Up
Can you blame the kids for spending too much time on the screen? Not exactly. They were born in a high-tech world. Even as babies, they would watch videos as they sit in the stroller, baby chair or baby car seats.
Parents seem to employ this tactic to prevent their kids from throwing tantrums, especially in public. It also keeps them focused while their parents are in meetings or grocery shopping. Smart devices have become the modern nannies.
Nothing equals letting your kids be one with nature. But these green screens – apps, games and channels about nature – are great substitutes if you’re living in the concrete jungle. As always, parental guidance is recommended.
About the Author
Luqman Butter
Luqman has been a pest control technician for over 20 years. He is passionate about solving people’s pest and wildlife control problems through innovative, eco-friendly and humane methods. Luqman currently works for Pestend Pest Control. He believes that pest control is a science and feels that his function in his community is very important since he helps people live in peace without causing unnecessary harm to animals.
