Getting kids engaged in nature may be harder than ever these days.

With just a press of a button, a kid can be immediately entertained for hours and never feel the sunshine. It is rare to see children building forts in the woods or playing tag outside.

As a parent, it is easy to fall into the trap of instant gratification and free babysitting with digital devices. With a little bit of patience and exposure though, you can get kids outside, whether it is fishing, hiking or hunting.

Keeping things simple for kids is one of the most important rules for taking them outdoors.

If you want to fish with children, don’t take them fly fishing. Instead, get some bait and find the most willing fish, no matter the size, to catch.

If the fish aren’t willing, then it’s time to make a splash.

Skipping rocks is a simple, satisfying activity for anyone of any age. Teach a child how to skip a rock and they will never be bored when water is around.

When hiking, realize that a good hike for a kid may be 100 yards to a creek. Yes, there may be a great waterfall a mile away, but at the creek there are rocks, bugs and crayfish you can chase all day.

Also, when hiking, be ready to change plans on a moment’s notice when a child’s interest peaks. While you may normally walk by a downed tree without a thought, a kid could play on it for a half hour and have more fun than Mario and Luigi at a plumbers’ convention.

If you want to show kids where food comes from, take them hunting.

Unfortunately, the outdoor world has focused too much on size and antlers. Ask any hunter where their passion sprung, and it probably involves small game such as squirrels.

All around our area are public lands where, in season, you can go for a short walk and harvest a few squirrels. Small game hunting is exciting for kids because you don’t have to be silent and you can move without getting scolded.

Dove hunts are also a great introduction to hunting, and allow children to see the camaraderie and friendships that are formed in the outdoors.

I am by no means against kids using technology. In our increasingly digital world, the skills they learn playing games will definitely help them communicate in the future in our interconnected planet.

Life needs balance though — and a child, boy or girl, should know how to handle a pocket knife with as much ease as playing Candy Crush.

Playing a game on an iPad is as easy as pressing a button. Getting a kid to enjoy the outdoors is as easy as opening the back door.

Spending time in nature is a great investment of time, and I cherish the lessons I learned from my father, uncles and mentors who took me outside, kept things simple and taught me to appreciate the beauty of nature.