We live in a fast-paced society where so many people, myself included, are often looking for a “quick fix” or “hack”. Everyone wants to better various aspects of their lives, but we want to do it quickly. We don’t have time to read long books or do a lot of research. We want life-changing results and we want them now! What if I told you that I have a way to change your life, but it won’t be quick and it won’t be easy? Keep reading to learn how spending 1000 hours outside in 2023 changed my life and my trajectory in motherhood.
As a first time mom, I spent a lot of time looking for the perfect activities to occupy my baby, the perfect books and toys, and the most non-toxic baby products. There are so many amazing classes and opportunities for babies out there. “Mommy and me” classes and story-time at the library are popular, but I wasn’t excited about either of those options. And you shouldn’t feel guilty if they aren’t your thing either! Before becoming a mom, I loved spending time in nature – hiking, skiing, going for walks, picnics, but for some reason when I became a mom I forgot to prioritize outdoor time.
Becoming a mom was an answered praying and is such a blessing, but staying home all day with a baby or toddler leads to the question of “what are we going to do all day?” A few months before my son turned one, I found the 1000 Hours Outside movement. The whole premise encourages parents to spend more time outside with their children. More specifically, the goal is to spend 1000 hours outside in one year. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the average American child spends only a couple minutes in outdoor play every day and several hours in front of a screen daily.
As a mom who struggled, I want to remind you that you are not alone if you are struggling as a new mom (there is a lot to learn as a first time mom) and I encourage you to get outside! You don’t have to go to the perfect playground or the best nature center in the county… just step outside your home. If you have an infant, try baby-wearing or go for a stroller walk. Or set up a picnic blanket and let your baby do tummy time in the grass. If you have toddler, step outside and see what cool things your child can find in your backyard or local park.
Going outside won’t solve all of your problems but I can guarantee that the fresh air will make you feel better and help you clear your head. Every single time I come inside after spending time outdoors with my son I feel refreshed. I have never regret spending time in nature. Getting outside with my son every day has helped me be calmer, less stressed, and a more fun mom.
There are so many health benefits kids receive when playing in nature. In her book Balanced and Barefoot, Angela Hanscom says kids learn to take risks (letting kids take risks boosts their confidence), overcome fears, and regulate emotions. Additionally, outdoor play inspires creativity, improves the immune system, develops the senses, and strengthens motor skills. An added bonus is that Mother Nature already has the perfect sensory experiences for kids – sand, dirt, rocks, leaves, and sticks can all occupy kids for longer than you would think. You don’t need to buy anything with Mother Nature’s sensory experiences and there is no indoor mess to clean afterwards.
The 1000 Hours Outside Challenge
I think any time spent outside, especially with kids, is time well-spent. As my son has gotten older, the way we spend our time outside has evolved. We went from lots of stroller walks and baby-wearing to a lot more free-play, now that he is a toddler. If you are interested in the 1000 Hours Outside challenge, I have some tips and suggestions from my own experience. These tips apply to any unstructured, outdoor play:
- Let kids play without constantly hovering.
- Establish clear physical boundaries so the child doesn’t get lost.
- Point out potential hazards like poisonous plants and creatures.
- Let the child lead and see where the imagination takes them.
When aiming to spend 1000 hours outside in one year, you sometimes need to get creative. Not every hour spent outside will be a crazy, awesome adventure. We spent some hours in 2023 exploring beautiful state parks and national parks. Other hours we spent at home doing things like eating dinner on the deck, doing chores in our yard, and taking care of our chickens.
It is helpful to have a quantitative goal though. Whether you are shooting for 1000 hours or 500 hours, or somewhere in between, having a goal and tracking it will help you make progress towards your goal. It is impossible to achieve a goal if you are not tracking it. Regardless of how many hours you think you may hit in one year, I encourage you to quantify your goal. There were many days where I remember saying to my husband, Adam, that I did not want to go outside but the 1000 hour goal was what encouraged me to get out.
A common question people have is “well, what do you do outside for all those hours?” The answer to that question is “whatever you or your child want to do”. Here are a couple ideas:
- walk in your neighborhood or local park
- hike with friends
- eat a meal outside
- do art outside
- ride bikes/scooters
- explore a new park
- play at a nature playgrounds
Some state parks offer ranger-led hikes. There are group hikes led by a park ranger who knows the park and is very familiar with the trails and that particular hike. I personally do not hike alone, or alone with kids, so this is a great way to be able to hike as part of a larger group.
Gear for Getting Outside
A few years ago I read There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk, which challenged how I view spending time outside when the weather is “bad”. To clarify, by “bad”, I just mean weather that I deem too uncomfortable in that moment, which lately has been anything under 40 degrees. The current version of me, who is pregnant and in her third trimester, is a lot wimpier about the weather than my usual non-pregnant self. Instead of waiting for a perfect, sunny, 60+ degree day to go outside, I have realized that my son is willing to go outside in literally almost any weather, as long as he is dressed appropriately. Over the last year, we have tried out various outdoor gear for our climate. If you live in an area that gets rain and snow, here are some items I recommend:
- waterproof boots that are rated for cold weather, that can ideally that can be used for both rain and snow (good brands include Jan & Jul or BOGS)
- wool socks
- wool base layer (for very cold winter days) – I bought my son a wool base layer from Simply Merino and have been impressed with the quality so far. There are also wool buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook where you can find used wool layers for cheaper than new ones.
- one piece rain suit – We have the CeLaVi One Piece Rain/Snow suit and a similar one-piece from Costco. CeLaVi is more expensive, but more durable. The one we found at Costco was inexpensive but a much thinner material (and not completely waterproof).
- warm coat (bonus if it is waterproof)
- fleece
- wool mittens/gloves
- water bottle
- snack/lunch container to bring food on-the-go
- thermos (to keep food warm on colder days)
I think it is reasonable to expect that you will spend more time outside in the spring, summer, and fall months than in the winter, if you live somewhere that doesn’t get extremely hot in the summer (Arizona and Texas are probably exceptions). Thanks to colder weather and less daylight in the winter, we definitely spent less time outside in the winter than the other seasons.
Although I am an introvert, I find it more enjoyable to spend time outside with my mama friends and their children. If you are looking to meet mom friends who also want to spend lots of time outside, I suggest seeking out relevant Facebook groups. On Facebook you can search for terms like “forest friends”, “free forest school”, “nature co-op” or “1000 hours outside [your state]” to find friends also seeking to spend lots of time outside. The Wild + Free website also has groups throughout the U.S. that meet on a regular basis.
Notably missing from my gear list above is “toys”. Sometimes as parents we tend to overcomplicate things, but I suggest keeping this simple. When I don’t bring toys on our outdoor adventures, my son usually finds ways to play with loose parts in nature (sticks, rocks, leaves, acorns, pinecones, etc.). On the rare occasions I do bring a toy with us, I find that my son is usually less creative since he ends up being more fixated on the toy than anything in nature. I have also seen kids bring their beloved stuffed animals outside to sandy or muddy areas and the stuffed animal leaves completely covered in sand/dirt/mud. Pinterest and the toy industry will have you believe that your child needs the perfect toy to have fun, but I think that in this instance, less is actually more.
Not only am I constantly surprised to see how much fun a 2 year old can have outside without any toys, I am also pleasantly surprised at how easily children are fascinated and filled with awe. There have been a few times when it was cold and I was a tired pregnant mama who would rather sit on the couch than go outside. After begrudgingly going outside, I realized how happy being outside makes my son and how much easier parenting outside seems to be. Clutter, chores, a messy kitchen and overflowing laundry are all out of sight when you go outside and they will all still be there once you return home
2023 was the first year we attempted the challenge and the first year we spent 1000 hours outside. I am excited to continue prioritizing outdoor time in the coming years, as our family grows.
If you are looking to learn more, there are lots of great resources available that discuss nature play and its’ benefits for children. Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom is my favorite book on the topic. I also highly recommend the 1000 Hours Outside podcast. A lot of authors and experts have been guests on the podcast and I have truly learned so much from the podcast.
What is your favorite way to spend time outside with your kiddos? Have you attempted, or are you interested in trying, the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge? Comment below and tell me your thoughts!
