Ginny Yurich - 1000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time

There was a time, years actually, when I felt very lost as a parent. The needs of small children feel endless and they are endlessoften until we step outside.

Nature is the antidote to many modern parenting problems. Time outdoors gives us all reprieve from the expectations that loom over us and the plates we are spinning. It gives us a moment to catch our breath and remember to be present during the fleeting childhood years. Play in nature smooths out the rough edges of daily family life. Plus, it helps children to develop in a whole-self way: cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically. The benefits abound as we connect with our children and find joy out in the open air.

I started the 1000 Hours Outside movement as a blog in 2013. From a small grassroots idea, it has expanded across the globe and now includes a lifestyle brand, a top-rated podcast, and a top-ranked mobile app.

The premise here is simple, though the execution is harder. Our aim is to be intentional about nature time, to fill our year with hands-on living (1000 hours of it, to be exact), and to balance out an increasingly pervasive screen culture. The number of hours itself isnt so importantits the intentionality that counts. In generations past, a goal like this wasnt needed because play was woven through the landscape of childhood. But with changes in society, there is now a need to protect the time and space that kids need for optimal development and that we all need for a rich family life.

Where do I begin? is a question many parents and caregivers ask, and this book is an answer. The ideas here are a reminder that simple joys still hold the ability to create fulfillment. Written for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and kids themselves, these year-round ideas will help you balance out the virtual and the real.

I was thrilled to be able to reach out to the 1000 Hours Outside community around the world and ask for picturesand they came pouring in by the thousands. Sadly, theres space only for a fraction of them here.

If youre on a path of slowing down, of leaving some white space in your calendar, know that you are not alone. And know that with each touch of the earth, each daisy chain woven, and each bird observed, you are impacting our world for generations to come.

My family and I live in Michigan in the US.

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CHAPTER ONE

WINTER

Winter | Contents

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HOT CHOCOLATE HIKE

30 mins 3 hrs

When the temperatures drop, the winds are whipping, and its cozier to stay inside, a little treat can go a long way in helping us get out the door. Hot chocolate is easy to bring along, it keeps our insides warm, and there are a lot of ways to give your drink extra flair that will make winter hiking more memorable.

SUPPLIES

• Thermos
• Hot chocolate mix (store-bought or homemade)
• Warm water
• Mugs
• Hot chocolate toppings (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Ask an adult to help you fill your thermos with warm water and add your hot chocolate mix according to the packet instructions or your homemade recipe. Thermoses can be larger than a standard mug so be sure to get your ratios correct. If hot chocolate isnt your drink of choice, you could fill your thermos with a different drink or even some warming soup.

2. Make sure the thermos lid is on securely. Pack any fun, tasty toppings such as mini or jumbo marshmallows, freeze-dried strawberries, cream, crushed candy canes, chocolate syrup, pieces of candy bars, or cinnamon sticks.

3. Head out on your hike. Take care pouring your drink because it will be hot. Drink along the way (be careful not to spill!) or make a stop to enjoy your surroundings while you sip.

Hot chocolate tastes better outdoors!

EXTRA TIME

• Hot chocolate isnt just for hikes. Take it with you all season long when youre trying to increase your time outside. If youre going to be in a stationary location, you could set up a hot chocolate bar for serving friends, with containers of all your toppings.

TRY THIS!

Toppings like this marshmallow snowman look cool but help keep you warm.

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SALT DOUGH SHAPES

45 mins active time

One way to preserve your favorite little bits of nature is by using salt doughwhich has a simple recipe with common ingredients. Making salt dough is a great hands-on activity for working on large and fine motor skills as well as some real-life mathematics. Add in some paints and this could turn into a full day of creating!