Raise an Outdoors-Loving Family

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are in dirt,” said renowned conservationist John Muir. I am an outside mom. I’m not the play pretend or with your inside toys mom, but how I love to take my kids outdoors to explore and play. And when you’re passionate about something, it’s definitely easier to pass that love to your kids.  

Many of my fondest memories as a kid are of being outside—from wandering around our house and yard, to feeling on top of the world in my tree house my dad built, to exploring my best friend’s farm and pasture. I loved reading out in the grass and riding my bike in the fresh air. Enjoying the great outdoors came in a variety of ways. Now, as a parent, I just share what I enjoy and include my children, and you can, too! 

There are many benefits to being outside, too, like gaining physical strength, developing sensory skills, increasing attention spans and improving mental health and overall happiness. It also allows us to get the vitamin D our bodies need to stay healthy and promotes creativity and critical thinking. According to HealthyChildren.org, “Research shows that when children spent time in natural settings they had less anger and aggression. Impulse control also improves. This might be especially important when normal routines change for children.” The same site notes that outdoor play also benefits mental health, and that “stress and depression are lower for all people who spend time in nature.”

That old advice to get some fresh air and sunshine really is solid. “Outdoor light stimulates the pineal gland. This part of the brain is vital to keeping our immune system strong and making us feel happier,” reports SanfordHealth.org. “Spending time in nature is also associated with improving mood and happiness. A bonus is that children who identify with nature are more likely to become adults who appreciate nature and want to protect the environment.”

When you couple time outdoors with even moderate activity, the benefits abound. “Walking is a man’s best medicine,” said Hippocrates, and he’s not wrong. The benefits of walking alone include lowering stress and blood pressure, improving sleep, increasing energy levels, as well as saving money and discovering new places.

Joellyn Nauman, mother of four, can attest to the benefits of being outside with her kids. She says, “We are totally an outdoor loving family! It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do for their attitudes and mental health. Everyone seems happier and gets along better when playing outside. Don’t be afraid to let them get dirty! It will wash off, but the memories made will last forever. I actually keep a towel and water in my car for emergency cleanups. The kiddos always sleep better after getting all their energy out, too!”

I love her tip on being prepared to have spontaneous fun by keeping some towels in the car—and maybe add some sunscreen, bug spray, spare clothes and extra waters and snacks in case the fun occupies them for a while. Heidi Murray, mother of four, enthusiastically agrees: “Yes! Kids and clothes wash!”

Being out and about can entail a restful time of solitude, like reading in a hammock or playing in the sandbox in your backyard, but it also lends itself to socializing and community building as well. Meet up on the trail systems or at a playground, swim together at a community pool or lake and encourage neighborhood socialization by putting up a Little Free Library or setting a Turquoise Table in your front yard. (Check out TheTurquoiseTable.com for more information.)

Inviting others to join you makes for such an easy playdate or get-together. It takes the pressure off of hosting because, let’s be honest, sometimes you don’t want to clean the house for people to come over or have it destroyed by a bunch of other kids either. It’s so easy to meet at a local playground. When my kids were preschoolers, I would throw out an impromptu open invitation to the park I was already planning on going to and share a time frame. If anyone cared to join us, they could. Parks have come a long way since we were kids, so be sure to venture out to some new parks to keep it exciting for both you and your children. We loved Black Bob Park (aka Princess Park or Castle Park) and Frontier Park (Pirate Ship Park).

I am a better mom when we’re outside. I’m automatically happier, my kids are free to be wild and loud, they’re not making messes in my house, we often socialize with other people, and we’re getting fresh air and sunshine and possibly some exercise that gives us happy endorphins. We’re also either getting a break from our immediate family or focusing and playing together as a family. It also just breaks up the day, which can help shake a bad mood or get us ready for the next phase of our day. Incorporating outdoor time into your family routine can help set rhythms so everyone knows what to expect.

My kids are older now, and they roll their eyes sometimes when it’s sunny because they know I will insist that it’s too nice to be inside. I herd them out, though, because I know that it boosts everyone’s moods once they finally get outdoors, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I’m not opposed to using a “be outside timer” either. Many times, the kids will keep playing even after the timer goes off.

To help avoid these eye rolls, one tip is to keep outdoor play fresh. We had many strollers and baby carriers to start with, and then the toddlers all began riding Strider balance bikes. They moved on to regular bikes around 3 or 4 years of age. We had an infant bike seat as well as a bike trailer the littles rode in before they could ride on their own, too. I love toys that will get my kids outside and active like scooters, skateboards, RipStiks, EzyRollers, jump ropes, pogo sticks, chalk for drawing and hopscotch, stomp rockets—and all the balls! Footballs, basketballs, kickballs, baseballs and basketballs, volleyballs, tennis balls and street hockey balls. I even have a photo of my children happily playing with a bucket, sticks and rocks, so don’t assume you need a garage full of things to get them to play outdoors.

I think sharing the wonder of nature is imperative as we parent in this age of screens at every turn. Being intentional with our time away from screens is important to teach kids to enjoy outdoor activities, as well as respect outdoor spaces and our environment. Basically, I love being outside, and when Mommy is happy, everyone is happy, right? If you need a boost in encouraging your family to take the first step, try joining the “Go Outside 23 in 23” challenge by author, influencer and Kansas City native Gretchen Rubin. Just 23 minutes is time for a quick walk after school or dinner, staying after school to play on the playground or learning how to play a new game, like pickleball, as a family. Have fun with it and reward your family afterward for how many days you get your 23 minutes in a row. Remember, as Hans Christian Andersen said, “Just living isn’t enough … one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 12, Mason, 11, and Slade, 8, and says she’s solar powered. She purposely got a dog that would need to be walked, invested in a jogging stroller to motivate her toward fitness goals and loves to read a book out in the sun.