In the age of Netflix, iPads and the Nintendo Switch, getting kids to unplug and play outside might seem like more of a challenge than ever before.

One way to get kids to venture outdoors is by offering them books that are inspired by nature. Here are a few picks that will hopefully encourage outdoor play in your backyard this summer.

Today's kids have access to more information than we ever dreamed of at their age.

And we're not saying that's a terrible thing. The same system that lets your kids play Mario Kart and binge watch 10 straight episodes of SpongeBob also gives them unlimited access to arts, other cultures and unlimited educational resources.

The problem is that kids are spending too much time staring at screens, and not enough time outdoors. And while parents have been telling kids to go outside and get fresh air for generations, today's kids are glued to screens at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.

And new research is showing that too much screen time can impact social development and affect learning.

That's why it's more important than ever to get kids outside, whether they're on your backyard swing-set, spending time practicing at the basketball hoop or off exploring your neighborhood.

Today, we'll look at ways to get your kids offline and outdoors, even if it's just for a few hours.

There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

The same is true about talking to your kids about the environment: It might be something that you wanted to bring up years ago, but it’s not too late to start. If they’re kids who value outdoor play, they might even be inclined to listen.

Here are a few ways to get started.

Over the past year, we’ve written more than a few blog posts about the physical benefits of outdoor play. But what about the emotional/spiritual rewards that come from playing outside?

Professional athletes talk about the lessons they learn on the field, whether they involve teamwork, responsibility or courage.

“While striving to win, children learn about teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship, all of which can contribute to their development as solid citizens,” wrote Stephen D. Keener, president of Little League International, in a New York Times op-ed.

“In organized team sports, children work together to accomplish a task and learn from their mistakes. These lessons directly translate into the classroom and beyond.”

Let’s look at some of the life lessons your children can pick-up on the playing field.