Are your kids' hands way too clean?

Want them to spend more time outside and less in front of a screen?

Encourage them to play in the dirt! Once they start digging and building, they'll be hooked on the great outdoors.

To learn more about getting your hands dirty with your kids, I interview Jennifer Ward for this episode of the Parenting Adventures podcast.
More About This Show
The Parenting Adventures podcast is a show from My Kids' Adventures.

It's for parents (and grandparents) who are looking for creative things to do with their kids.

The show format is on-demand talk radio (also known as podcasting).

In this episode, I interview Jennifer Ward, a prolific author of children's fiction books (such as There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Fish). Her parenting books include I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature and It's a Jungle Out There! 52 Nature Adventures for City Kids.

Jennifer shares why it's important to get your kids out in nature.

You'll discover ways to have fun outside in the dirt with your kids.

Share your feedback, read the show notes and get the links mentioned in this episode below!


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Here are some of the things you'll discover in this show:
Fun With Dirt
How Jennifer went from writing children's books to parenting books focused on the outdoors

Jennifer's first children's book, published about 16 years ago, was called Way Out in the Desert. It's a counting book that takes place in the Sonoran Desert, so it had a nature theme. All of her picture books, fiction or non-fiction, had an element of science or nature integrated into them.



About eight or nine books into Jennifer's career, her agent suggested she tackle writing a book for adults. As she got into it, Jennifer discovered the book would serve children better than it would solely adults. It evolved into a parenting book with open-ended, hands-on sensory activities for children, called I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Connect You and Your Kids to the Wonders of Nature.

Listen to the show to discover where Jennifer got the ideas for the activities in the book.

Why outdoor exploration is important

Everyone knows kids need to unplug and get outdoors, Jennifer says. Nature provides mental and physical benefits—you get fresh air and exercise, and it de-stresses you.

The average child spends more than 7 hours a day plugged into technology, whether it's a cell phone, computer or mobile device. When children become too plugged in, they're sedentary and they're not engaging all of their senses.



It's a challenge to get kids outside sometimes, but it's important to find a balance between technology and nature.

Listen to the show to learn how to make a bike ride even more fun.

Why dirt is exciting and what can be done with it

Scientific studies have proven that dirt makes us happy. Jennifer explains that a bacteria found in dirt activates neurons in our brains and those neurons produce serotonin, which is a natural antidepressant. Exposing kids to dirt helps their immune system.

Jennifer shares a few of the simple activities families can do to play in dirt. Dig in the dirt with spoons and forks, build a fort, use water to make a pond, set up imaginary villages with plastic toys, paint with mud and more.



These are all activities where your child gets fresh air and that engage the senses.

More intricate adventures include going on a scavenger hunt, researching dirt, gardening and looking for wildlife.

Listen to the show to find out why it's okay to let your kids get dirty.

How parents can turn a visit to the park into an adventure

One activity in It's a Jungle Out There talks about exploring parks. Jennifer recommends that you go on a treasure hunt and compare the wildlife you would find in a city park versus what you'd find in your backyard or on your porch. For example,