1000 Hours Outdoor Challenge

What is the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge? In a nutshell, the goal is to get your family outside as much as possible in order to reap the benefits of unstructured nature play. The advantages include stress reduction, physical exercise, fresh air and fun! Less screen time and more outside time! The aim is to reach 1000 hours within one year but I’m not holding myself to that number. For me, it’s more about working outside play into our lives, whether an hour or five a day, and helping my kids build a relationship with the Earth that can be enjoyed during all of the seasons.

Going for it? Check out my Pro Tips below and sign up here to receive email encouragement throughout the year and download a kids tracker sheet. Also, check out Hannah's NH State Park posts for great spots to be outdoors year round!

Posts

Tips

Pro Tips

Tip 1
INVEST IN THE RIGHT GEAR

One of my kids HATES being cold. It ruins the fun for her, and she heads inside right away. Lately, cold hands and feet have been especially problematic. To me, cold feet aren’t a reason to stay inside, but she was miserable. So I did some research and bought these socks for her. She was much more comfortable and happier when we skied a few days later.

Please keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get good gear. There are so many used sites. You also can buy one new item and re-use it often. Those Darn Tough socks will be worn until threadbare. No need for five pairs when they’ll be used only once or twice a week at most.

Tip 2
PICK UP A NEW SPORT/ OUTDOOR ACTIVITY

I’ve not been shy about sharing the fact that I learned to ski at age 37. (I also learned to ride a bike at 23.) My daughter liked to ski, and I wanted to spend time with her, so I learned. The irony is that I now love it and sometimes have to force her to go with me! I used to dread the winter and now look forward to snow season because It’s a chance to get on the slopes. Our girls also learned to ice-skate last winter and are excited to get back onto the pond.

If you are dressed properly, and find a sport you enjoy, logging outdoor hours should be a breeze. For example, we easily banked 4 hours at the mountain the other day without thinking about it. There’s also no shame in warming up inside for a bit with a cup of hot cocoa (or lemonade in the summer!) and then getting back out there!

Tip 3
BE FLEXIBLE & HAVE FUN!

Be flexible. When we first began this challenge, I thought all of our hours had to involve hikes, sports and swims. But why limit ourselves? There were some days when my older daughter took a book outside and enjoyed herself that way. Other times, the girls played with chalk on the driveway or we took the dog around the block. If anything, this challenge is deriving joy and peace from simple pleasures. There’s no “right way” to enjoy this challenge.

And importantly, have fun! If something isn’t working for you, drop it. Find some activities you enjoy, spend time with your loved ones, breathe some fresh air and get some exercise. Let me know if you decide to give it a try!

Tips