The 1000 Hours Outside Challenge: Why and How to Get Your Kids Outdoors

In a world filled with screens, structured schedules, and indoor distractions, the 1000 Hours Outside challenge has emerged as a movement to encourage families to prioritize outdoor time. The idea is simple: aim to spend 1000 hours outside in a year—roughly 2.7 hours per day—giving kids the space to explore, learn, and grow in nature. But why is this important, and how can you make it work for your family?

Why 1000 Hours Outside?

Spending time outdoors has countless benefits for children, including:

• Physical Health: Outdoor play encourages movement, improving strength, coordination, and overall fitness.
• Mental Well-Being: Nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while boosting mood and focus.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving: Unstructured outdoor play fosters imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Independence & Resilience: Navigating outdoor spaces helps children develop confidence and adaptability.
• Connection to Nature: Spending time outside fosters an appreciation for the environment and a sense of stewardship.

How to Implement 1000 Hours Outside

Making outdoor time a priority doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some ways to incorporate more nature time into your routine:

• Start Small: Begin with an extra 15–30 minutes outside daily and build from there.
• Make It a Habit: Incorporate outdoor time into your daily schedule, such as morning walks, outdoor meals, or nature play before bed.
• Utilize All Weather: With proper clothing, kids can enjoy the outdoors year-round—rain, snow, or sunshine.
• Prioritize Unstructured Play: Allow kids to explore freely rather than turning outdoor time into structured lessons.
• Invite Friends & Family: Make it social by inviting other families for nature playdates, hikes, or park visits.

Tracking Your Hours (Loosely or Precisely)

You don’t have to track every second, but keeping a rough estimate can help stay motivated. Here are some ways to track your progress:

• Paper Tracker: Print a chart or coloring page where kids can mark off hours spent outside.
• Digital Apps: Use a note-taking app or tracker like the 1000 Hours Outside app to log time.
• Journaling: Keep a simple nature journal, writing down observations and activities.
• Goal-Based Tracking: Set weekly or monthly goals rather than focusing on the full 1000 hours at once.

Outdoor Activities to Reach 1000 Hours

Not sure how to fill the time? Try these engaging outdoor activities:

• Everyday Play: Swing sets, climbing trees, jumping in puddles, or playing in the dirt. Sometimes rainboots like these rainboots for toddlers or these rainboots for kids can be helpful.
• Nature Walks & Hikes: Explore local trails, forests, or even your own neighborhood.
• Gardening: Involve kids in planting, watering, and harvesting. We love this small gardening kit for kids.
• Outdoor Crafts & DIY Projects: Build fairy houses, make nature art, or try simple woodworking.
• Sports & Movement: Biking, soccer, running, or even yoga in the park.
• Camping & Backyard Adventures: Spend a night under the stars or have an outdoor picnic.
• Water Play: Lakes, rivers, creeks, sprinklers, or even simple buckets of water provide hours of entertainment.
• Winter Fun: Sledding, building snow forts, or tracking animal prints in the snow. Costco often has sleds like these sleds just before winter and we’ve always been fans.

Final Thoughts

The 1000 Hours Outside challenge is not about perfection—it’s about making outdoor time a priority in a way that fits your family’s lifestyle. Whether you hit 1000 hours or not, the goal is to be intentional about getting outside, enjoying nature, and creating lifelong memories with your children. So grab your coats, sunscreen, or rain boots, and step outside—your next adventure is waiting!

Don’t forget to allow your kids to be bored outside, too! You can learn more about the importance of boredom for kids in our article here.