Here's My Great Green Idea!

Outdoor play - specifically frequent opportunities for self-directed spontaneous outdoor play - is one of the best "activities" we can offer our children. Studies show it's the single most effective means of instilling a love of the natural world that will last a lifetime.

But who has time for it these days? Life is so over-scheduled, many kids hardly ever get outdoors. And once they're there, there's often no one to play with. It's time to take the playdate outside - and time to reclaim nature as a playground.

Our outdoor playgroup meets in public outdoor spaces in our community. Some of the sites are parks. Some are campuses. Some are in-between spaces, like the undeveloped parts of parks. Many of us can walk or bike to these sites.

There is some organizing involved and a bit of coordination. Email or a phone tree is essential. The site gets suggested two days in advance, with an eye to the weather forecast and the rhythm of major holidays. And we make sure everyone understands it's not a form of daycare. Each child or group of siblings has to be accompanied by their caretaker. Our other ground rules go beyond the scope of this description.