"Respect for nature ties into respect for ourselves. We utilize nature as a learning tool," says Craig Merry, director of the Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center in Park City, Utah. Merry encourages families to go outdoors and explore. "Go on a nature walk and examine different flowers and plants. Look for animals or signs of animals, like their tracks. Listen for animal sounds. Watch birds fly. Study insects. And don't forget to discuss what you see and to enjoy each other."

The Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center offers adults and kids age 5 and older a heady taste of "friluftsliv" – living your life with nature and enjoying what comes naturally. Popular activities include river rafting (thrilled 5-year-olds wear helmets and paddle with their own oar), wildflower hikes, spelunking and animal tracking. But simple activities, such as a nature walks, also can be exciting. Tom Cammermeyer, owner of the Norwegian Center, encourages observation. He's often overheard saying, "Slow down and enjoy the journey."

Take your preschooler outside and show him an ant colony. "My son and I have been known to sit on the sidewalk watching carpenter ants excavating a tree or a spider wrapping up dinner," says Margherita Cappelli of Rhode Island.

Exploring the outdoors brings families closer together. "We go hiking with our four boys. It's good for us to get out away from the TV, computer, phone, etc.," says Carrie Smith of New Hampshire. "It's something great to do as a family."

Cynthia Liljeblad, a former special education teacher from California, says that even severely disturbed children seem to respond to a feather a leaf or a caterpillar. "I think they sense – better than we do – that nature is alive," she says. So turn off the television, step outside and enjoy your world.

In Your Own Backyard
Start by exploring your own neighborhood. Before leaving, arm yourself with a few supplies to make the journey memorable. You'll need a Bug Hotel to store interesting insects (which your preschooler will release later) and paper and crayons to make rubbings of unusual surfaces and textures. Your child can make a Nature Diary with the rubbings when you return home.

As you walk with your child, discuss different trees and flowers. Make rubbings of interesting leaves and tree bark. "My girls and I take walks and talk to the trees and about the trees – how they get water, clean the air, etc.," says Heather Winne of Indiana, mom to 3-year-old twins. Ask your preschooler which tree she likes best. Which flower? Why?

Keep your eyes open for wildlife. Even the most urban neighborhoods have insects in sidewalk cracks or under rocks. Turn over stones to find a preschooler favorite: potato bugs. Maybe you'll catch a centipede, ant or even a worm. "The first time that my daughter saw a worm she was frightened. I said, 'Oh look Sarah! Worms!' I wanted her to think they were cool – which they are. Now she loves to go out after the rain and look at worms," says Michelle Smith. Help your preschooler scoop up an interesting specimen or two and put them in the hotel. Explain habitats to your child and then add leaves and/or grass for your "guests" to eat.

Close your eyes and listen for animal sounds. Can you hear dogs bark? Bees buzzing? Look for birds. Make crayon rubbings of interesting things that you find, maybe feathers, pinecones or flower petals. "When we visit my grandma's house on a lake, we take buckets down to the lake and look for 'treasures.' These could be rocks, driftwood, a feather, or anything," says Smith. While on the lookout for "treasures," keep your eyes open for the perfect soon-to-be pet rock. Your child can decorate the rock when you return home. Don't forget to free your "guests" at the end of the day.

Immortalize your nature trip with a picture diary. "I lived in a subdivision, so the only nature we had was landscaping," says Kimberly Wright of Florida, mother of preschoolers, McKenna and Walker. "But we collected leaves and rocks and sticks and made rubbings out of them, and the kids thought it was like magic!" Take your child outside and make some magic of your own.

Bird-watching
Transform your couch potatoes into bird-watchers by attracting birds to your yard with a tempting snack.

Want to see more?

• Books are wonderful tools to help introduce nature to your child. Read some reviews of great nature books here.
• How Does Your Garden Grow?
• Thanksgiving Fun: Turn A Nature Walk into Art!
• Indoor Gardening: Bring the Fun Inside
• Springing Free: Outdoor Activities to Share with Your Toddler
• Talk about it!