Quiz: Is your family suffering from nature deficit disorder?

Scoring
Questions 1 to 6:
Give yourself 3 points for every a) answer, 2 points for every b) answer, 1 point for every c) answer, and 0 points for every d) answer.

Questions: 6 and 7:
Give yourself 2 points for each item that applies.

41 or more: Nature freaks
You and your kids get optimal exposure to the great outdoors. We don't need to give you any tips, except to remind you to listen to little ones' cues about hunger, tiredness and cold/overheating. Otherwise, maintain your family traditions (we're betting your love of the outdoors began in your own childhood). And have your child invite along a less-active cousin or friend.

25 to 40: Outdoorsy types
Your kids enjoy their fair bit of outdoor play. Many of the benefits of outdoor time, says Louv, come from its unstructured-ness. So if one of the things keeping you from going out more often is the ambitiousness of your plans, ease up. Don't plan a strict itinerary, like "must climb Cougar Hill, must collect three different types of mushroom spores for nature scrapbook." Just get out there and follow the path -- or your kids' direction.

10 to 24: Get out more
One of the challenges modern parents face is the pressure to do everything and be everywhere. Sidestepping this trap makes for happier, more active families. Here's an exercise from Last Child In The Woods. You, your spouse and each child should separately write lists of activities you love, and those you don't. See if there's an extracurricular activity you can bail on to make time for unstructured nature play. Does your kid love Saturday morning soccer, or does he go just because you signed him up? Perhaps he'd have more fun exploring the woods with his mom, dad and dog. As for you, you can get off the bleachers and onto the trail.

Less than 10: Get outside…stat!
Your family needs an emergency outdoors infusion. Kids need to experience the beauty and wonder of nature in person, not just via Animal Planet. No one expects you to hike up a mountain (especially if your childhood wasn't very outdoorsy), but please get active, before your kids lose interest. Pull your child along a trail in a sled (many nature areas have even-surfaced one-kilometre routes, as well as more challenging trails for experienced hikers), and bring a bag she can put wind-fallen pinecones, leaves and seeds into for craft activities at home. Motivate yourself with a prize -- new hiking shoes or a Lululemon hoodie if you hit the trails three times in a row. But don't be surprised if you have so much fun you don't need a bribe.

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