Bringing Nature Inside

Utah can be a dreary place sometimes. After a taste of summery weather and sunshine, the rain can dampen the outdoor spirit. I like rain, but only when I don’t have to go out in it. Rain keeps me from going on hikes, because I can’t stand to get muddy. Campouts are never much fun when rain stops you from building a campfire. Rain forces most people inside, and people are already cooped up in their houses too much anyway. For an outdoor enthusiast like myself, rain is not my friend. Rain is only helpful to the weatherproofed fisherman (and growing plants, I suppose).

When rain forces you indoors for days or weeks at a time, you can still enjoy the outdoors in your home. It may take a little imagination and preparation, but the wonders of nature are easily observable from the comfort of even your couch. For example, you could start a succulent terrarium. Everybody has an old fish tank lying around somewhere, and if you don’t, consider using an old glass bowl or a wide vase. In addition to the container, all you have to procure are some pebbles, succulent-specific soil and succulent plants, such as aloe vera or even a cactus. There is plenty of free information on the Internet that can help you ensure that your terrarium is a success. The nice thing about succulents is that they require less attention and care than most other houseplants (you know, the plants that always die when you go on vacation). The time you put into succulents is well worth the beauty they lend to your home.

Another fun activity that brings the outdoors indoors is creating art out of natural materials, such as feathers or rocks or leaves. The next time it’s not raining and you’re on a hike, pick up some odds and ends to use in an art project. That way you’ll be ready for the next rainy day. Not only is it extremely fun to create art with nature, it can be very, well, artistic. If you can find a suitable frame, or build your own out of branches, your artwork could easily grace the walls of your home. Art like that is sure to be a conversation starter when you have guests over. By the way, adults usually have just as much fun with this activity as kids, so involve the whole family. In the case that you haven’t been able to stockpile natural materials, sometimes it is fun to simply draw or paint animals, trees, water and other nature scenes.

There are plenty of other activities that can help you connect with nature throughout the rain-soaked spring. Couch cushion forts, ghost stories, and roast marshmallows over a gas stove can almost replace real camping. Dressing your kids up like animals and shooting them with foam arrows can be as exciting as hunting. Turn your house into a forest by using cardboard and paper, pull your kiddie pool in from the garage and fill it up with paper fish, and go fishing with a pole made from a stick, yarn, and clothespin. The possibilities are endless, as long as you have an imagination and a love for the outdoors.