If you’re a parent who works from home like me, you might worry that you’ve let your kid watch Wall-E one too many times. We sure try to keep them occupied while we work—in my case, I try to get most of my work done at night, and when I have to work during the day I pretty much let my three-year-old make any mess she likes, within reason. But sometimes there’s that unexpected meeting, or that deadline that’s just so close—and boom, there’s the TV being used as a babysitter again.

Since June is Great Outdoors Month, let’s take a break from our keyboards and spreadsheets and take the little tykes outside for a while. Studies show that sticks and rocks are much brainier toys than any old electronic thing you can buy, and with kids spending more and more time on the Internet and playing electronic games, they’re losing out on the value of nature. So this month, why not let them explore it instead? Try…

Joining a scouts program or other outdoor group.

Pitching a tent in the backyard and camping.

Going camping at a local park.

Going fishing. (I don’t fish, but my husband teaches our daughter to throw the fish back.)

Grabbing a library book and using it to identify different plants, rocks and animal tracks.

Planting fruits and veggies to feast on.

Watch snails. This is one of our favorites. I have quite a few pictures of my daughter holding various incarnations of “Shelly.”

Search for unique rocks or arrow heads.

Explore a stream. Does your son know what a crawdad is? How about a minnow?

Braid jewelry out of dandelions.

Just let your child PICK dandelions! This certainly works for my daughter.

Go for family walks every night. Include the pets if you can and are able.

Go stargazing or cloud-watching.

Go for a night walk and listen to the sounds in your neighborhood. Owls sound quite cool on summer nights in our area.

Join a conservation program. Make your yard a “backyard habitat,” or join Frogwatch USA and help monitor frogs while you learn more about them.

Make and hang a bird feeder, house or bath.

Invest in a good tricycle or bicycle and helmet.

With a little planning and a lot of fun, you can create the kind of summer every kid dreams of—the kind with lots of sun, nature, and YOU in it!