As moms, we constantly seek ways to enhance our families’ lives and our own mental and physical well-being in the process. With our to-do lists ever-growing and screen time battles ever-present, finding that good middle ground is a never-ending battle. Enter the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge: an empowering movement that inspires families to spend even more time in nature on designated outside activities for kids and parents alike.
If you’re ready to sprinkle a little bliss, health, and reconnection into your family’s life, then the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge could be just the balm you need. The benefits to kids are endless, but this program serves as a game-changer for moms and the rest of the family. Are you inspired? I highly recommend diving into the author Ginny Yurich’s uplifting work Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future, which will give you many practical tips, insights, adventure prompts, and encouragement for your journey.
What Is the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge?
The mission behind the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge is deceptively simple yet extraordinarily powerful: try to spend 1000 hours outside in the course of a year. That may mean hiking, winter activities such as sledding and snow painting, playing at a park, gardening, or just enjoying a picnic out in the backyard; the practice is about deliberately setting aside time for outdoor activities.
While 1000 hours may seem like a lot, once you consider a little less than 3 hours a day, it is really quite doable. And honestly, it can start with something as simple as one of these easy nature activities for kids. Many families find tracking time helpful by making progress visible and raising motivation. Hitting milestones can even be turned into a great family celebration! You can find beautiful, motivating printable trackers right here on the 1000 Hours Outside website.
Why 1000 hours? Studies show children in the United States get an average of 1200 screen time hours per year. This challenge helps us counterbalance that screen time with green time to raise healthier and happier kids and families.
Benefits for Moms
1. Lift Your Spirits
Motherhood, with constant demands on our time, can be utterly overwhelming. Being outside is a great remedy for other things that weigh us down: less stress, less anxiety, and greater overall mental health. A little time to sip a cup of coffee on your porch or join the kids for a nature walk gives you a sanity break and a sense of grounding. If you need encouragement to get out the door, check out my 8 tips for getting outside with a toddler.
2. Stay Fit
Being outside means being active. Activities like walking, hiking, running after your kids in the park, and gardening help with cardiovascular health and strength-building. This is especially important when finding time for exercise feels impossible; these types of toddler activities can become your workouts! Even outdoor adventures in winter count—don’t underestimate how much movement happens when you’re building a snowman or pulling a sled.
3. Self-Care Time
Nature is the best scenery for self-care. Sit quietly under a tree with a journal while your kids play, or stroll along peacefully with the baby stroller. Even short breaks can recharge you. If you’re navigating spring’s unpredictable weather, try some of these spring activities for outdoor kids to make it easier.
4. Relationship Building
Just being outside allows you and your kids to connect in ways that are all but impossible indoors. With fewer distractions present, your energies can sync through storytelling, summer exploits, or spur-of-the-moment playtime. You can even create a summer bucket list for families to keep the fun flowing all season long.
Benefits for Kids
1. Good for Physical Health
Outdoor games build kids’ strength, coordination, and stamina. To run, climb, and explore are simply natural ways for children to get rid of pent-up energy and stay active. Exposure to sunlight supports vitamin D production, which is vital for bone maintenance and immune function. Proper gear like a rain suit for your toddler or quality Bogs boots for snow and rain makes a huge difference in how long they want to stay out there!
2. Increased Creativity and Imagination
Outside: the ultimate playground! Rocks become buried treasure, trees become castles, and sticks become magic wands. Unstructured outdoor play fosters the growth of imagination and problem-solving in toddlers and older children while screens never could.
3. Emotional Resilience
Fresh air helps children regulate their emotions, relieve stress, and develop curiosity and wonder. Whether it’s a moment of peace watching clouds float by or balancing on a log, these experiences nurture confidence and calm.
4. Love-for-Learning
From counting acorns to identifying birds, the outdoors offers endless opportunities that stimulate hands-on learning. Frozen puddles, animal tracks in snow, and changing leaves spark questions. As I always say: there’s no such thing as bad weather—just better layers and the right mindset.
The Whole Family Benefits from the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge
Time Well Spent
Life gets busy, and it’s easy to feel like you’re always rushing. The 1000 Hours Outside Challenge slows us down for quality time together—without distractions, and with so much more meaning.
Less Screen Time
By spending less time on screens and more time in nature, focus improves, sleep deepens, and family bonds grow stronger. Kids might even start asking to go outside before turning on a show!
A Bit of Adventure
From camping in your backyard to setting up a scavenger hunt or finding a new trail, outdoor exploration is about making memories. If you need inspiration, try seasonal favorites like puddle jumping in spring or snow painting in winter from my spring activities for outdoor kids list.
Shared Goals
Teamwork and accountability thrive when you track your time outdoors. Whether you’re coloring in hours on a printable chart or setting mini goals, everyone can celebrate those milestones together.
1000 Hours Outside Challenge: How-to
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Start Small: Begin with 15–30 minute increments. Outdoor rhythms will grow as your confidence grows.
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Use a Free Tracker: Grab a printable tracker to make it fun and visual. Kids love filling in those boxes!
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Plan Ahead: Have a go-to list for each season. Easy nature activities for kids help you stay ready with low-prep ideas.
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Listen to the Podcast: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast features inspiring stories from outdoor families—perfect for folding laundry or on a walk.
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Bring the Book: Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future is a goldmine of wisdom and motivation.
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Gear Up: Good shoes, cozy layers, sunscreen, and bug spray help everyone enjoy the moment a little longer. Browse my favorite toddler boots for rain and snow if you’re gearing up for any season.
Get on Board
Joining the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. It’s an invitation to reclaim your time, reconnect as a family, and enjoy the simple magic of fresh air and togetherness.
As mothers, we set the rhythm of our homes. Let’s choose adventure and presence. Grab the tracker, pick a few easy nature activities for kids, and remember: every minute counts.
Adventure is calling, Mama—let’s go together. 🌿