It’s never too early to get your kids into nature. Introduce them to nature right in your own backyard or nearby park. Studies show that time spent outdoors in nature has a positive impact on a child’s physical, emotional and mental development. Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation has many ways to encourage safe exploration of the natural world.
- Take your child to the beach. Little Island Park is a great place to introduce your child to the many wonders found in the water. Younger children may simply enjoy feeling the textures of the sand, building castles, and touching the many shells that wash up on the beach. Older kids might be more interested in learning about the different species of fish that are caught from the pier. And all kids – big and little – will love our playground.
- Explore the smells around you. Visit the Reba S. McClanan Fragrance Garden at Red Wing Park. This park was designed specifically to tease the senses, and has plants of varying heights that make it easy for little ones to participate. Once they get weary of that activity, head to the other end of the park and explore the trail through the woods. It’s a little under a mile long….the perfect length for kids.
- Get a bit more hands on. Get the family together to make Virginia Beach clean and beautiful throughout the year with the Adopt-a-Programs. Areas available for adoption include beaches, school grounds, parks, trails, waterways and highways. This 2-year adoption requires 6 cleanups a year.
- Teens may like to participate in Project Green Teens. Want to make a positive impact on our environment? This group of environmentally responsible teens finds projects that make a difference in our parks, neighborhoods, and schools. Meetings are held monthly with projects identified by the team. Previous projects have included cleanups, participating in dolphin counts, and conducting dumpster dives.
- Or get really wild through Parks & Recreation’s Outreach Programs. In addition to providing wonderful outdoor classes and activities, Parks and Recreation's Outdoor Programs Team also offers a haven for many injured animals that cannot safely be returned to the wild. Staff members use these animals to educate the community about the importance of environmental stewardship through outreach programs. The animals also help introduce youth to many local wildlife species. Learn how our experienced educators can bring a program to your group by contacting Katie Whanger at (757) 385-0426, or email outdoors@vbgov.com.