A new campaign has been launched by the Wild Network, supported by Norfolk Wildlife Trust calling for families to revolutionise their New Year’s resolutions by swapping some of their daily screen time for wild time.
NWT is one of a thousand member organisations in the Wild Network, and is urging people in Norfolk to get behind this new campaign. The Network, aims to reconnect kids with nature and outdoor play, echoing our own work.
With the average resolution lasting just nine days, the Wild Network has created five free and fun ‘Wild Time resolutions’ to keep your family’s mind and body healthy throughout the year.
Head of People and Wildlife at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, David North, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Wild Network, encouraging children back into nature and outdoor play. The ‘Wild Time’ resolutions are a fantastic pledge to spend more time outdoors, which as many of us know has so many benefits; it is fun, free and good for you.
“Resolutions can be positive, simple promises that you can stick to. Start by swapping thirty minutes of your children’s daily screen time for thirty minutes of wild time or coming up with ideas that you can do together every weekend.”
To help families stick to their promises, the Wild Network has developed a free Smartphone app. The ‘Wild Time’ app is packed with fun and easy suggestions of how to get your thirty minutes of wild time a day. Details on here:
http://projectwildthing.com/wildtime.
The Wild Network’s top five ‘wild time’ resolutions have been designed to help families reconnect with nature in the New Year. The list of free activities is based on the most commonly made (and broken) resolutions, using simple ideas that can be developed throughout the year.
The Wild Network’s list of New Year’s resolutions
1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY:
When making Project Wild Thing, David Bond spoke to hundreds of children about what they liked doing. Overwhelmingly they wanted to spend time outdoors with their family. Why not have a Smartphone or tablet computer amnesty once a week when you can turn them off, lock them away and take the ‘wild-time’ pledge to spend more time outdoors?
2. SAVE MONEY:
Time outdoors is fun, free and good for you. Going to the park costs nothing and is guaranteed to make you feel a lot better than spending the afternoon in front of the telly. .
3. EXERCISE MORE:
Why go to the gym when there’s a perfectly good park down the road? Kids who play outdoors are fitter, calmer and happier than those stuck indoors. You could join a local green gym and work out whilst saving the environment!
4. READ MORE BOOKS:
This is the most commonly made New Year’s resolution. Make your reading more interesting by taking your books outside!
5. BE MORE CURIOUS:
Look up and rediscover the nature around you. Why not write a nature journal as a family, keeping a diary of what you see and do during the year; keep a memory tin of the best things you discover along the way.
Photo by Emma Bradshaw