One of the greatest skills I think you can give your children is the ability to explore the world around them. That means letting them play outside as well as encouraging them to experiment with science.

Experiments are a lot more fun way to learn science than what most schools teach too. Great for showing your children that science can be fun, not just equations and numbers.

I’m always on the lookout for great science books for my kids. I just came across The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists on Amazon, and it looks like loads of fun. Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less looks good too, and even comes in a Kindle edition if you prefer.

While not every science experiment is great for the environment many can be, and an understanding of science is a real benefit to children as they grow up. It will help them to understand more of the concerns about what we’ve done to our environment and to understand when you disagree with the naysayers.

Don’t forget that you can include science even in your nature walks. Pick up fallen leaves and talk about their parts and what they do for the trees. Discuss the different kinds of rocks you find. Talk about how the different animals you spot live.

Make science fun and interesting and you’ll give your children a lifelong benefit. They don’t have to become scientists, but a basic understanding of the principles is a good thing.