I come from a long line of tree huggers. There are three generations pictured in this post. Above is my daughter, below my mother and I. I don’t know why “tree hugger” is such a derogatory term. I used to have a lot of trouble admitting that I was a tree hugger. I still don’t like the way it sounds — but I am proud of what it stands for. I love the natural world and I do my best to make eco-friendly choices more often than not. I fell in love with my husband when I found out his secret. Shh… don’t tell anyone — but he’s a tree hugger too 🙂
At left, my mom hugging a tree when she was a girl in Illinois. At right, me hugging a tree in Vancouver, BC.
My husband and I hugging a redwood in Northern California
My daughter and I hugging a tree
Get Outside & Connect Activity Week # 7: Hug a Tree
This weeks activity is to hug a tree. You’d be surprised how much kids love to do this. They have so much fun giggling running from tree to tree. This may be due to my own enthusiasm. Monkey see — monkey do!
Have you actually ever hugged a tree? If not, this is your golden opportunity. Don’t worry… I won’t tell anyone. Nor will I point and laugh. Give it a try, no one has to know if you don’t want them to. Take a picture if your up for it. Pictures of people hugging trees are always display worthy.
Go ahead… Try it. I promise you won’t be disappointed. You can choose any tree you want and hug it once, or choose a whole forest and go to town. Up to you.
Educational opportunities:
- Hugging and touching tree’s and their parts provides a rich sensory experience for children.
- Identify and talk about the different parts of a tree.
- Identify and talk about different types of trees that live in your area.
- Identify and talk about different creatures that live in and around trees.
Variation:
Carolyn over @ The Pleasantest Thing told me that they like to see how many hugs it takes to fit around a tree! What a great idea — thanks Carolyn!
Let me know if you have another variation and I’ll add it 🙂
I hope you have been getting outside everyday and connecting with what matters! See you outside!
Nell in Vancouver BC, Feb. 2010
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Megan says
atLove this post:) We will try to hug a tree tomorrow as long as we don’t freeze to it – it’s bitterly cold over now. Isn’t Vancouver gorgeous and full of amazing, huge trees?
nell says
atYou can always wait until it warms up in your neck of the woods Megan! Yes, Vancouver is full of amazing trees! I lived there for six years and loved the amazing dense temperate rain forests that surrounded it — even though it rained all the time 🙂
Matea says
atYou’re great! This makes me wanna go outside and hug a few myself. Pictures are beautiful! Nice family tradition! Keep going 🙂
nell says
atThanks Matea! Enjoy!
Carol says
atHere’s an idea, although some may think it goofy or too esoteric: see if you can sense the energy of the tree while you hug it. For me, trees emanate a sense of calming, peaceful, ancient energy, especially the really big trees.
Another thought: some scientists say that trees can actually recognize a person!