L.L.Bean and the National Wildlife Federation created a program for kids called “The Green Hour” featuring seasonal activities they can do to spend more time outside.
With COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, parents and kids are experiencing higher levels of stress according to research from the American Psychological Association. And between remote learning and more unstructured leisure time, kids are spending more time online, the survey shows.
“Our purpose is to inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of being outside,” said Shawn Gorman, executive chairman and great-grandson of L.L.Bean. “The stresses of the pandemic make outdoor time even more important. Our partnership with the National Wildlife Federation is intended to provide parents with some relief and kids with some fun ways to play outside.”
The activities under The Green Hour program include playing bird bingo, going on a leaf patrol, becoming a wildlife detective, and identifying animal tracks. Kids are encouraged to keep a Nature Notebook to guide their discoveries and document their knowledge of the natural world.
Research from the National Wildlife Federation shows that getting outside and connecting with nature on a regular basis has important emotional, mental and physical health benefits, especially for kids. Recent studies show outdoor time enhances their imagination and attention span, decreases aggression and boosts learning performance. And kids who spend time playing outside tend to be better lifelong stewards of the environment.
To learn more about the program go here or www.thegreenhour.org.
