My kids love their screen time. They also love playing with legos and building things. But if I'm honest, they don't love playing outside unless they are swimming or playing a sport. But when it comes to just "outdoor play" - they really have no interest.
I was scrolling some mom boards, as I do, and came across the 1,000 hour outdoor challenge - and then looked it up. It's a podcast and website that is intent on getting kids (and families) outside to play as much or MORE than they are on screens. I also had the pleasure of talking with a local Fort Mill mom who's been doing this for 2 years already, Rachel Dorr, who was a WEALTH knowledge. Yes, you can absolutely listen to the podcasts or read the blog, but I thought we could skip to the good part (queue music).
"Outside time doesn't need to be fancy or expensive," Dorr - a mom of 2 boys and former science educator shared with me. "Playing in the backyard, or even spreading out a blanket and reading a book all counts!" In her experience, just being in nature is a magical experience. In fact, one major difference she shared with me in her oldest is his attentiveness to the world around him since they started spending more time outside. "He just notices more." The other major benefit she noticed in her own kids is that, particularly her younger son who started this at 2 years, core strength, balance and overall fitness has improved 100x over.
Here are a few tips she's shared with me for those who are looking to start this in 2022:
- Start small: maybe your goal is not 1,000 hours - but just matching your outdoor time to your screentime.
- Be realistic: maybe you've never hiked before - don't go climb crowders with your kids; start with a hike at Big Rock Nature Preserve.
- Set expectations: if you are realistic with your kids about the experience, you're less likely to get pushback.
- Participate: show your kids you enjoy nature and they will follow suit
- Create some "field trips": maybe plan one major outdoor activity for the family a week as a special field trip. Maybe one a quarter. Just make something special so there's a goal.
- Bring food: a hungry child will whine no matter what you do!
- Expect to get dirty: Don't dress kiddos in their Sunday Best to go for a hike unless you are OK with them ruining their clothing. Rachel always carries clean undies for each kid, a towel and a laundry hamper for the dirty stuff. You never know when the urge will strike to jump in mud or play in a creek!
- Have a plan but also allow for unplanned time outside
- Don't get bogged down in the details: outdoor sports can absolutely count towards outdoor time; camping in a tent can count as outdoor time; sitting on the porch or reading on a blanket can count. Do what works for you
- Check out Rachel's guest spot on this podcast!
OK, so if we're doing this, I realized that I needed a list of fun things to do outside - and figured so do you! And here it is ~ 35 great ways to get outside with your family year-round within close proximity to Charlotte.
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