3 Reasons Why Kids Should Get Their Hands Dirty

Never worry when your kids get their hands dirty--here are three reasons why

Never worry when your kids get their hands dirty--here are three reasons why

By Mikee Pascual and Human Nature

With the advent of the digital world, keeping up with the real is a challenge. We tend to catch up over messaging apps rather than seeing each other personally. More so, kids tend to watch Youtube tutorials rather than learning with you.

Kids tend to play games more in the comforts of our gadgets’ screens instead of exploring the great outdoors, chasing frogs on grass, tumbling on the streets, and getting their hands dirty out of too much fun in general. Gone are the good old days of dancing in the rain and getting the odd scratch or bruise to their knees from running freely outdoors.

You see, no matter how technology conveniently connects us to anything and everything in this world, disconnecting from it every once in awhile is perhaps the key to deeper connections and adventures that matter. And the best way to disconnect from it all is to let your child do it and relive the grandeur of your childhood days. With you, of course.

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn in books.” – John Lubbock

If those are not enough points to let your child’s hands get dirty, let us convince you more with these three reasons why they should.

Disconnecting keeps you more connected

You gain some and you lose some. One thing robs you; the other thing gives you gifts. When your kids take a break from their gadgets, they’ll notice that your neighbor has a new dog, they’ll notice the birds chirping the moment they step out of the room, they’ll notice the handwritten letter you left, and trust that they’ll notice what’s beyond that world: life.

When you disconnect from the other, you’ll surely be connected to another one. Give some (or more) time to put down anything that hinders you from living the life; you’ll be amazed to see the real connections beyond screens and work. Don’t worry about you and your little one picking up a little dirt from the roads, islands, and mountains. Dusts don’t last, but memories do.

Going on adventures that matter is the best teacher

A weekday businesswoman and weekend mountaineer I met the other day were surprised to know that some of the different tribes in our far-flung mountains have their own alphabet. “The elders have different wisdom,” she said while claiming the mountains as her classroom.

A hostel I once stayed in uses plastic bottles to contain garbage. When stuffed to the brim, these plastic bottles can turn into plastic solutions such as ‘eco bricks’ to build houses and other establishments.

“Titser,” a popular local network’s original TV series once aired on its episode the importance of exploring the great outdoors. The titser or teacher took the kids out to a quaint market to let them see and appreciate the vegetables for themselves. And guess what happened next? They remembered and learned beyond what the four corners of their classrooms can give.

Going on adventures that matter is the best teacher. It keeps us well-informed. It keeps us at one with nature. It gives face-to-face, not screen-to-face, encounters to the world. This is why Human Nature has decided to support the Kids Camp at the GK Enchanted Farm, organised by social tourism enterprise MAD (Make A Difference) Travel, in which you and your little one will be able to enjoy some fresh air, feed farm animals, pot herbs and vegetables to take home, make stuffed toys, bake cookies, cook peanut butter spread, paint together, and boodle fight!

After the camp, find time to exchange stories on what you and your little one have learned. You know, having too much fun makes kids drunk. They make sense more than we do most of the time. You’ll be surprised to hear words of wisdom from them at the most unexpected moments.

“I think that the best thing we can do for our children is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong, allow them to experience life on their own terms, allow them to take the subway... Let them be better people, let them believe more in themselves.” ― C. JoyBell C.

It’s okay to get hurt

It’s okay to jump in puddles. Their clean white shirts will get dirty (and you might get a bit worried), but no garment can wipe away the smile it brings. It’s okay to swim under the fiery sun—we have reef-friendly sunscreens for the kids to have fun and stay safe. It’s okay to count the stars while lying down on the farm—we have all-natural Bug Shield oils for your pair of leg and arm. It’s okay to get hurt. We all get better with pain and mistakes, and this is how we acquire wisdom. Go out and let your little children play; they deserve to thrive every day.

Kids Camp at the Farm happens every month at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan
Upcoming dates: January 14, February 11, March 11, April 15
Open to kids 3-12 years old (parents as well)!

Registration fee is Php 2,200/head including farm-fresh lunch, (2) snacks, Human Nature Bug Shield Oil, and all activities in the itinerary. Parents can either accompany their children or participate in separate activities at the Enchanted Farm.

Learn more at madtravel.org/kids-camp
For questions, email us at info@madtravel.org