On Long Island, most of the deciduous trees have released their hold on their old leaves, leaving home owners with the annual question of how to get rid of them. For parents of children ages 4 and up, this is a great opportunity to put the kids to work.

1. Raking leaves is great exercise. It builds muscles and gets the heart rate up for an extended period of time.

2. Raking leaves is a great way to teach children about taking care of their property. When they grow up and buy their own property, doing it themselves will come naturally.

3. Raking leaves is a great way to teach the kids how to earn an honest dollar. Come up with an amount per pail that you can all agree on. Have them “bill” you at the end of the raking session.

4. Giving kids chores frees you to do other things. When you don’t have to do it all, it gives you time to do something special with them, or for them. Make dinner and then reward them with a special dessert.

5. Keeping kids outside keeps them out of trouble. Once outdoors, kids don’t tend to nitpick, fight, and tattle like they do when cooped up in the house.

6. Raking leaves can be great fun. Kids can make a pile, jump in it, bury themselves in it, and make “roads”. Kids who learn that work can be fun make happy and productive adults who love what they do for a living.

7. Working outdoors is emotionally healthy. The increased melatonin levels from being in the sunshine helps people to sleep well and to keep their moods positive.

8. Working outdoors is spiritually healthy. Being one with nature is conducive to thinking and praying.

9. The more hands, the quicker the work gets done. This can also be a great opportunity to teach about teamwork.

10. This can be a great opportunity to help out an older neighbor or someone who is not physically able to do it themselves. They can either volunteer to help, or charge a fee that is agreeable to both.

If you have kids, and you have leaves, put them together and both will disappear for a while.

You may also be interested in this article from Examiner.com:

Gardening gets children outdoors for holistic benefits