Adults & Families

In Last Child in the Woods - Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, author Richard Louv links the absence of nature in our wired children's lives with the rise in obesity, attention disorders and depression.

Teaching children about wildlife, especially if you can get outside in nature, also moves them closer to caring about wildlife and their habitats.

For their own well being and for that of our precious natural world, children need opportunities to learn about, personally interact with and experience nature.

With Your Child and In Your Backyard offer scores of great ideas, from attracting and counting butterflies to investigating a dead log. Read together about How to Live With Wildlife.

Fishing is a great way to get outdoors with your youngster and bring home dinner too! Take a Kid Fishing has locations and tips to get you and your child.  You live in south Florida? Learn about urban fishing opportunities in The City Fisher newsletter.  Kid's Fishing Clinics teach kids about Florida's marine ecosystems and marine life.  In addition they learn fundamental fishing skills such as casting and tying knots as well as conservation ethics. Most of the Kids Fishing Clinics culminate in an opportunity to fish.

Check out our Manatee and Sea Turtle Watch sites for exciting wildlife viewing and outdoor sporting opportunities.

The Wings Over Florida Junior Birder Program is a free awards program that encourages young birders to sharpen their skills by identifying as many birds as they can within the state and provides resources for teachers.

If your family enjoys a hunting heritage then another great way to spend time in the woods with a child is through FWC's Youth Hunting Program. One goal of the program is to give youth an initial, positive, safe and educational mentored hunting experience. You may also consider a hunter safety class with your child.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute offers MarineQuest, an annual event that gives students a close-up look at the fascinating world of marine science.

We also have you covered on rainy days with printable Coloring and Activity Books!

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