Introducing 30 Minutes Outdoors

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I'm excited to introduce you to my website, 30 Minutes Outdoors! I hope that this will become a resource and go-to spot for both parents new to getting the family outdoors, as well as those who are seasoned outdoors enthusiasts.

So... what is the idea behind 30 Minutes Outdoors? What are my plans for this website? Who am I, and why am I doing this?

I am so glad you asked. ;)

You may have heard of 1000 Hours Outside. Perhaps you have managed to reach this number, or like me, have used many of their amazing coloring sheets to track outdoor hours, questioning whether the indoor section of the zoo can count as outdoor hours. Please know that I think this is an amazing goal! But I also know that the number 1000 can sound daunting and unachievable. That's why, with my family, we have decided to start a daily routine of at least 30 minutes outdoors each day. Some days, we may reach 2, 3, or even 8 hours outdoors. But on the days when it is difficult to get outdoors (we live in Wisconsin), I am aiming for just a manageable 30 minutes! And I hope you will too.

As a mother of 3 young boys, I understand that it is easy to get caught up with doing all the "best things" for our children. Signing them up for extracurriculars, such as swim lessons, music classes, sports leagues or dance lessons. And in between daycare, school, work, extra curriculars, birthday parties and family obligations we often overlook setting aside the time to just letting our kids play FREELY outdoors. Nothing structured. Just play.

However, it is so much more than play. Playing outdoors in nature is promoting both physical and emotional health. It is sparking the imagination and your child's creativity. It is teaching them to manage risks, to push themselves, and to problem solve.

The idea behind 30 Minutes Outdoors is to set at LEAST 30 minutes aside every day to let your kids get outdoors, and I would encourage you to get out there with them. Create new habits together or learn a new hobby.

And guess what? I am going to make getting outdoors for 30 minutes easier for you. Because let's be honest, with dinner in the oven, kids melting down, homework needing to be completed, laundry needing to be folded, it can be difficult to get outdoors even for 30 minutes. This is where my website comes in. I am working on creating lots of easy resources, tools, tips, and inspiration to help YOU get outside with your kids. From nature crafts, to scavenger hunts, outdoor activities to do as a family and what to pack.

You see, in addition to being a mother of 3 young boys (ages 6, 5, and 1.5years) I am also a summer day camp director. I love finding new activities, ideas, crafts to engage my boys and campers in the outdoors. I find it one of the most important jobs I have, to help children develop a love for the outdoors, to create stewards of the environment, and most importantly to provide children with a a classroom that isn't confined by walls. So let's get kids outdoors, and let's get outdoors with them.

Why did I choose 30 minutes? I chose 30 minutes simply because it seems achievable. If you are already someone who enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors, that's great, keep it up! I hope that the suggestions, activities, and resources I will share can help you incorporate the outdoors and nature into your life even more. However, if you are new to outdoor activities or don't have much time to spend outdoors with your family, let's start with 30 minutes. It's an achievable goal. If you feel the need or desire to spend more time outdoors, that's fantastic. But if not, then 30 minutes is still better than no time at all.

Please join me, in setting aside at least 30 minutes a day to get outdoors with your family.