Last year we hit a wall with the screen-time struggle in our home. I’ll be the first to admit, when the pandemic hit we kinda threw all the rules out the window. But I quickly realized that while it was sometimes more convenient, it wasn’t the healthiest idea for any of us. A mom I followed on Instagram mentioned in a post that her family had started this challenge that broke her family out of their rut and helped them reconnect. She shared snapshots of her kids hiking, biking and exploring outdoors. And that was the spark that inpired our 1000 hours outside adventure!

You might be wondering what the 1000 hours outside challenge is. Well, it’s a challenge that invites you to spend at least 1,000 hours outside in the natural world over a one year period. It’s a great way to reconnect with your family and give kids a healthier, screen-free lesson in exploring all the wonders of the great outdoors.

1000 Hours Outside Challenge - Spending More Time Outdoors

What is the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge?

Ginny Yurich started the 1000 hours outside challenge back in October of 2016. She wanted to encourage people from all walks of life to challenge their personal comfort zone and experience the world differently than they ever had before. And she especially wanted children to get out from behind the screens and spend more time exploring the natural world.

Thousands of people have since joined the challenge. It’s become a movement on social media, with thousands sharing pics of them pending time outside hiking, biking, camping, going for walks and enjoying the natural beauty of the outdoors.

1000 Hours Outside Challenge - Benefits of Outdoors Exploring with Kids

Ginny believes that spending time outside should be a right for everyone, and she encourages people from all walks of life to explore the world around them with an open mind. The 1000 hours outside challenge is just one way for her to encourage more people to get outdoors and soak up the sunshine, fresh air and all the benefits of being in nature.

Benefits of Being in Nature

The benefits of spending time in nature are immense. Spending even as little as five minutes a day outside can help reduce stress, improve your mood and increase your energy levels.

– Promotes physical and mental health

– Lessens stress levels

– Increases quality of sleep

– Improves mood swings, anxiety and depression symptoms. Reduces fatigue, irritability and anger that can result from using screens for long periods of time. Helps with ADHD symptoms in children as well as adults who struggle with the disorder.

– Boosts creativity and cognitive function in children as well as adults with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy or other neurological conditions that affect learning abilities.

– Increases your mood by triggering serotonin production when the sun’s rays hit skin cells and release a chemical called melatonin into brain tissue to regulate sleep patterns and circadian rhythm

1000 Hours Outside Challenge - Kids Outdoor ActivitiesScreen Free Fun

Children need outdoor play time to stay active and healthy, and they’re probably going to love the idea of spending a whole year outside. You can use this challenge as an opportunity to spend more time with your kids or grandkids by playing games, learning about nature together, and making memories that will last forever.

Outdoor playtime is an essential part of childhood, and it’s important for kids to stay active. Encourage your children or grandkids to join the 1000 hours outside challenge with you so you can spend more time together playing in nature.

Outdoor Activities for Kids

  • go for a hike
  • bird watch
  • keep a nature journal
  • build a fort
  • go biking
  • plant flowers
  • plan a photo snapping scavenger hunt
  • read aloud outside
  • climb a tree
  •  go fishing
  • collect rocks, seeds, pinecones and leaves
  • hunt for bugs
  • splash in creeks and puddles
  • make flower crowns

Signing up for this challenge as a family means spending quality time together while having fun outdoors exploring new trails, camping out in the backyard or even just going for walks.

You can even plan out a special reward for yourself or your family when you’ve completed the challenge.

1000 Hours Outside Challenge - Benefits of Outdoor PlayBut I don’t Have the Time….

If you’re an adult and your goal is to complete this challenge by spending at least one hour outside every week day (2-3 on weekends) then make sure that you schedule it in advance so that nothing comes between you and a new adventure!

The benefits of spending time in nature are immense. Spending even as little as five minutes a day outside can help reduce stress, improve your mood and increase your energy levels.

If you’re considering doing the 1000 hours outside challenge on your own, but are not sure where to start then the 1000 Hours outside website will give you lots of ideas.

 

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1000 Hours Outside Challenge - how to spend more family time outdoors