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Binoculars for Kids If you’re thinking about investing in binoculars for kids, it could be the perfect way to introduce them to the great outdoors.
The outdoors is the perfect place for kids. Curiosity and excitement abound, and an endless array of opportunities exist for youngsters to explore in Mother Nature. While it might be difficult to compete with the TV and an Xbox, finding and exposing the right parts of the outdoors is important for all kids – as well as adults – to find their niche. Here are a few ways to introduce them to the outdoors.
How to Build Interest in the Outdoors
Introducing the right activities is tantamount in kids’ enjoyment of Mother Nature. While an adult might enjoy waking up at 4am and driving an hour for an all-day sit in a deer stand, few children would enjoy that overall experience. With kids, remember to keep it short and do things that hold their attention.
Binoculars are the perfect tool for introducing anyone to the outdoors, especially kids who have little experience afield. Additionally, binoculars can be used in a variety of applications. For starters, binoculars are easy to use, safe for all ages, and difficult to break. Buying a kid their own set is a great way for them to take ownership in the overall experience. Plus, nobody said you couldn’t “borrow” their binoculars at times. Here are a few activities that kids are likely to enjoy with their new tool:
- Scouting for hunting season
- Scavenger hunt with binoculars
- “I Spy” with binoculars
- Bird watching
- Nature walk or short hike
- Camping in the backyard
Build Excitement
As obvious as it sounds, it can be difficult to remember that kids have less complex goals for their time outdoors. If nothing else, doing something fun with an adult they care about is likely enough for them to have a good time. Adding some level of excitement can not only ensure they have a good time but also increase the odds that they can’t wait to do that activity again.
Click the link to see the full story on Facebook of Travis & his son.
Plan ahead to take them on an outdoor adventure, and tell them days in advance. Then spend the next few days in preparation for the new adventure. While going on a walk around a local park can be all it takes, put it on their “calendar” and ask them to help plan the event and make decisions.
Stop in at their favorite ice cream shop on the way home. Make an event out of the overall experience. Again, they’re too young to independently determine which outdoor activities have the potential for being fun, which gives the adult the ability to frame any activity in a fun way. The goal should be to make them immediately feel excited when you ask them if they want to do something with you.
Keep Things Simple
One way to build excitement is to set goals and pursue those goals. The sense of success is exciting to adults and can also be exciting for kids. Don’t be too ambitious in your aspirations when you’re taking kids outdoors. Make your goals a challenge but likely to obtain.
For instance, if you plan to take a young person on a nature walk, don’t tell them the trip is a failure unless you find a 150-inch buck. Tell them instead that your goal is to find one squirrel, one robin, and one earthworm. The odds are high that your goals would be met and therefore for them to experience success. Success is what you make of it. Simple goals are more likely to be reached.
Picking the Right Binoculars for Kids
What kind of binoculars would make the most sense for kids? A heavy pair with a large 70mm objective lens wouldn’t work. Something compact and easy to handle would make the most sense. Consider a durable set that would survive any inevitable drop or ding. Also find some that are waterproof and can survive being accidently left outside in the rain or dropped in a creek.
Lastly, find a set that is easy to use. A lower-powered binocular with a wide field of view would be easier to find objects and also would have less shake. The perfect set would be somewhere around 8x42mm compact waterproof binoculars.
One of the great things about kids is that they’ll have as much fun as adults will let them have. While attention spans are reduced, excitement has the potential to explode. With the right gear and preparation, kids are likely to jump out of the car bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, just like the squirrels they’re sure to find.