Outdoor Families

Good for Bodies

Children who spend more time outside..

• are more physically active
• have lower BMIs
• have better motor skills
• are less likely to develop myopia
• learn to balance risky play with safety

Good for Minds

Time in nature increases…

• attention & focus
• good mood
• empathy
• sense of belonging and connection

Free Play is Best!

Free play (or unstructured play) is child-led play where children are motivated by their own desires and curiosities. Free play is a fundamental necessity for children to thrive physically, emotionally, and mentally. It builds imagination, problem-solving abilities, and social skills. Getting outside is a great way to encourage free play.  Read more about the importance of unstructured play and how to encourage it with your kids here.

Picnic

Make a family meal special by enjoying it at a favorite park or outdoor area.

Mud Pies

Grab some dishes and spoons and head to a dirt pile.  Create mud pies by mixing dirt and water. The fun is endless!

Sit Spots

Spend a quiet minute or more in nature and tune into your senses.  Pick a spot to return to regularly and notice the changes over time.

Nature Art

Gather leaves, sticks, rocks, or any nature design and create designs in nature.

Fairy Houses

Use natural materials to create a fairy house or home for a toad.  Add fun details like a bed, walkway, or decorations.

Photographer

Let your child be a nature photographer while out at a park or on a hike. You’ll be amazing at how much they notice when they are taking photos.

Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of things to find, collect, or take pictures of on your next outing.

Trail Bear!

Add some motivation to your next hike by hiding gummy bears or other treats along the way for the kiddos to find.

Organizations that get kids outside