Lake County forest district program preaches outdoor fun, nature for children
Kids got a chance to go outside and have some fun while learning about nature Thursday at Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.
The program, “Healthy-Happy Kids in Nature,” preaches getting children outside to play in nature.
They used pie tins and other containers to form snow sculptures, and decorated the snow formations with items found in nature, such as twigs, nuts and pine cones.
“Because there is so much technology these days, kids aren’t getting outdoors,” said Jan Ward, environmental educator with the Lake County Forest Preserve District.
Particularly in winter, it’s important for children to get outside for the fresh air, sunlight and to connect with nature by using natural items to play with, Ward said.
“Everything out there is a potential play item,” she said.
“It’s fun to be outdoors playing in the snow,” said Michelle Noll of Libertyville, who’s 2-year-old daughter, Autumn, participated in the program. “It’s been a rough week with below-zero temperatures, being stuck inside all the time.”
The program runs every second Thursday from September to May at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.
To find out more about programs offered by the Lake County Forest Preserve District, visit www.lcfpd.org