Finding Nature Time When Life Gets Busy
By Chelsea, Communications Manager
The backpacks are packed, the lunch kits are (hopefully) not already lost, and the school bell is ringing again. The lazy, hazy days of summer might be behind us, but that doesn’t mean your family has to say goodbye to nature until next June.
We get it. September comes in like a tidal wave of schedules. Between school drop-offs, hockey tryouts, and piano lessons, finding time to get outside can feel impossible. But here’s the thing: nature doesn’t have to be another item on your to-do list. With a little creativity, you can weave it into your week, even when life feels busier than the ice cream line at BDI on a summer night.
Get Outside!
1. Take Homework to the Park
Instead of struggling to keep everyone focused at the kitchen table, grab a blanket, a few snacks, and set up a “homework club” at Kildonan Park, St. Vital Park, or even your local neighbourhood greenspace. The fresh air helps brains work better, and you might even spot a squirrel doing some serious nut-stashing (a great reminder that procrastination isn’t just a human problem). We even ordered pizza to our picnic table once or twice when the weather was just too warm to head back inside.
2. Micro-Adventures Before Dinner
You don’t need a whole afternoon to get outside. A 20-minute walk on a nearby trail like Bois-des-Esprits, Harte Trail, or the Seine River Greenway can do wonders for shaking off school-day stress. Set a family “post-dinner golden hour” challenge: how many birds can you count before the sun dips, or how many cool-shaped leaves can you collect for the fridge art gallery?
3. Commute Differently (and Wildly)
If school or lessons are within biking or walking distance, turn the trip into a mini nature safari. Bring binoculars to spot birds on the way to class, or keep a running tally of neighbourhood rabbits. Bonus: less time sitting in traffic, more time laughing as someone inevitably yells, “watch out for the goose poop!” in the middle of the bike path.
4. Pack Breakfast or Snacks for Sunrise
September mornings are cool but magical… if you’re one of those rare families who actually gets up early enough to enjoy them. For the rest of us, the snooze button usually wins. But if you are early risers, pack some muffins and hot chocolate, head to The Forks, Crescent Drive Park, or Assiniboine Forest, and watch the sunrise before school. It feels like a mini vacation squeezed in before the day officially starts.
5. Bring Nature In When You Can’t Get Out
Some days, life wins. If volleyball, dance, and a forgotten school assignment leave no time for a nature outing, bring nature to you. Keep a bird feeder outside your window, start a “tiny windowsill prairie” with native plants, or listen to Manitoba nature soundscapes before bed. It’s not a hike, but it keeps your connection alive until the next trail adventure.
6. Become a Weekend Wanderer
Weekends are prime time for quick escapes. Try a brisk morning hike at Oak Hammock Marsh, picnic at La Barrière Park, or a shoreline stroll at Birds Hill or Spruce Woods Provincial Park. Head out to FortWhyte Alive to watch the geese gather at sunset or try the trails at Little Mountain Park for a change of scenery. Even a couple of hours can reset the whole family before the weekday chaos begins again.
7. Stargaze in Your PJ’s
Bedtime routines can still include a little wild wonder. Grab a blanket, head to your backyard or a nearby dark spot, and watch the stars come out. September skies are incredible, especially away from city lights. If you can, take a short evening drive to Birds Hill, Beaudry, or even Grand Beach to really see the Milky Way in all its glory. It’s five minutes of awe that sticks with kids (and grown-ups) way longer than another episode of Bluey.
Nature Isn’t Seasonal, It’s Essential
Conservation isn’t just about protecting nature for nature’s sake. It’s about remembering that we’re part of it, even when life gets hectic. Every little moment outside builds connection and appreciation for Manitoba’s incredible parks, trails, and wild spaces. And when families value nature, they help protect it for generations to come.
So yes, school’s back. Life is full again. But let’s make a promise: back to school doesn’t mean back indoors. Grab your toque, pack a thermos, and make nature part of your family’s story this fall, one homework session, golden-hour walk, or cocoa-sipping sunrise at a time.
Learn More:
- Learn more tips to get outside on our “How To” page
- Check out our Outdoor Education Program