Purpose of 1000 Hours Outdoors

The purpose of 1000 Hours Outdoors is to have children experience nature and focus of the outdoor classroom by spending 1000 hours outdoors in one calendar year. They offer ideas how to make the outdoors fun and educational using simple activities. It has made me more intentional to get outdoors, enjoy nature and expose my kids to all the beauty and wonder in the great outdoors!

Personally I love nature and the outdoors and I hope to plant that seed in my kids. But it wasn’t always like that for me. I grew up in the hot Arizona suburbs and was exposed to the outdoors sparingly so I’m doing my best to give my children access to nature.

We live so close to the beach that we try to make daily trips and weekend family time is usually a hike, swim or bike path activity. I try not to react when my kids play with cockroaches, spiders, geckos, or crabs (but inside I’m screaming). Or over react when my son jumps off of a 6 foot high tree or my daughter rolls in a puddle. It’s part of childhood and I want them to experience it, safely of course.

Magical Reset

I don’t know about you but every time I take my kids to the beach, park or just to our backyard there is a change in them. It’s like a magical reset in them—and for me too. And to be honest, I live for those resets!

There are so many benefits to being outside—sunlight, fresh air, exposure to negative ions, nature lessons, meeting new people, seeing/experiencing new things and so many more. It’s no surprise to me how my kids’ moods and mine too, improve when we go outside.

Balance Nature & Screentime

The goal of 1000 hours outdoors can seem unrealistic and maybe for your situation it may not happen this year. But don’t let the huge goal number stop you from heading outside.

Let’s be real, some days mothering feels so isolating and tiring and screen time is the only way to regain strength and peace. I’ve been there many, many days. (And I’m slowly giving myself grace to use screen time without feeling guilty or like I’m a terrible mom…do you have guilt with screen time?)

Which is another reason why I appreciate the 1000 Hour Outside movement. The intention is to allow kids to be kids by playing outdoors, while also validating the struggle of motherhood—to balance nature and screentime.

Ideas for 1000 Hours Outdoor Activities

Typically when my kids and I head outdoors, I don’t have an activity planned and just allow my kids’ imaginations take the lead. Sometimes though, I do have something simple planned. Here are some of the activities we enjoy doing.

What do your kids love to do outside? Please share all your recommendations!

Outdoor Hour Tracker

If you’re ready to join the 1000 Hours Outdoors challenge, I created a simple tracker sheet so you can document your progress! It is in 100 hour increments so its a little easier to notice progress Find the PDF link below!

Outdoor Adventure Supplies

I wanted to share some of my kid’s favorite outdoor activities/supplies and others that seem like so much fun. Shop direct links here or at the bottom of the post.

1. Kid’s Instant Print Camera // My littles have recently shown an interest in taking photos. This kid’s camera is durable and prints photos! Perfect for nature walks and sparking their creativity!

2. Wooden Magnifying Glass // We have one and my two kids really enjoy looking through the glass! Need to add a second one so they don’t argue over the one we have haha.

3. Osprey Hiking Baby Carrier // This carrier has been used so much in our home. It’s comfortable for both child and parent. It has lots of storage, a shade, mirror and even feet stirrups. So basically the kid is riding like royalty haha.

4. Sea Turtle Kite // It has been so windy on Kauai, I think it’s the perfect time to get a family kite.

5. Bug/Butterfly Net // My kids are super interested in bugs. A net would be a great way to get some energy out while searching for bugs!

6. Bug Viewing Jar // With a magnifying lid, this jar allows kids to appreciate the small details of bugs before returning them into nature.

7. Rain Boots // My kids love jumping in puddles. Sometimes they do it barefoot but other times rain boots are the way to go! I like these and these too!!

8. Natural Basket // We own a few of these and they are the perfect size for small hands. My kids take them to the beach to pick up trash or treasures. They can be used year round for storage and holiday baskets!

9. Micro Scooter // My son is obsessed with his scooter. It’s a perfect introductory scooter since it’s steered by body weight rather than turning the handle. My 1.5 year old daughter is already learning how to ride too!

10. Giant Bubbles Wand // This kit is so fun! I feel like bubbles are fun regardless of age!! These get so huge, it’s amazing!!

11. Arts and Craft Kit // Arts and crafts are one of my go-to ways to simulate my kids’ creativity. I love that this kit has everything you’d need so you can take it to the park and have craft literally anywhere!

12. Saucer Tree Swing // I’ve seen these in yards while driving and think they look so so fun! I know my kids would be obsessed with it.

Get Outside

Maybe you don’t feel convinced to commit to 1000 hours outside but hopefully you feel inspired to get outside and make some beautiful memories with your kids in nature. Happy exploring the beautiful outdoors! Love, Melissa

P.S. Have you been following along our Nourish and Flourish 30 Day Challenge? Having one item a day that I’m focusing on has been really beneficial to me.

Shop the Post

•if you purchase from one of our links, we receive a small commission and it helps us, so thank you!

The post 1000 Hours Outdoors—An Annual Family Goal appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

1. My friend recently introduced me to a caffeine-free coffee blend, teeccino. You can make it in your Keurig so it fills the room with the coffee smell and you can still have that morning moment of peace before the day’s craziness starts. She had a hand held frother too and it was perfect touch to the delicious coffee! Shop coffee faves here!

2. Yesterday as I served my 4-year-old his lunch (rice, potatoes, veggies meatballs), he looked at the plate and exclaimed, “where are the greens on this plate?! No tomatoes, no carrots….” I burst out laughing. A moment I never want to forget.

3. One of my mom friends moved off island. I had recently met her but felt close and connected! Is it just me, or does it seem harder to make friends as adults?? (so then when I do meet someone where we just click, I’m extra grateful for them.)

4. Even though we’ve lived on Kauai permanently for 7 years (and seasonally since 2010), there are still beaches we haven’t visited and trails we haven’t done. That fills my adventurous heart with excitement. (Photos in this post are from the first time we went to a new beach).

5. My husband purchased a physical therapy practice March 2020, days before the COVID-19 pandemic caused our island to shut down. The sweat equity this past year has been a lot. But I saw a new side of my husband. A resilient, dedicated and passionate side I hadn’t seen before and I love him so much for it!

6. Crossing items off of my to-do list give me such a high.

7. I feel like I’m constantly cleaning and organizing! Does anyone else wish they could empty their home and start over haha?!? Wardrobe included haha….and unlimited budget, of course. 😉

8. I had terrible ab separation (like 4 fingers!!!) with my first pregnancy in 2016 and it didn’t close before I got pregnant again. This past month I’ve noticed some healing/ab closure and I’m so so happy about it!!

9. I honestly feel like I could eat Mexican food and pizza for the rest of my life and be totally happy about it.

10. In the past month I’ve been told twice I look like I’m 20! This used to get me so upset when I was 25, but now a decade later, one of the nicest things you can say to me haha!

11. I love wearing dresses! It’s a little harder these days, with 2 active kids, but they are still my favorite. Dresses are so comfortable and much less decision making goes into the outfit.

Spring Dresses Round-Up

Like I shared, I love wearing dresses. Writing about it made me realize I don’t wear them as much as I should. With an every fluctuating body (2 pregnancies in the last 4 years/nursing boobs/hormones), I haven’t updated my dresses in years, so I found some spring dresses that I’d love in my closet.

Shop spring dresses round-up here and here!

I was worried I wouldn’t have 11 things to share but it turns out there’s a lot going on in my head and heart. 🙂

Thanks for reading and learning more about me. What are some of your random thoughts or recent life experiences? Have a great day, my beautiful friend! -Melissa

ps. Also wanted to note, that if you purchase from our links we make a small commission.

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Rain season has started on our little island. After an entire day of enjoying the showers we decided to search for the last bit of the sunshine and enjoy a Kauai sunset and turtles.

Since Kauai began requiring visitors to complete a mandatory 14 day quarantine, less visitors have been vacationing here. As a result, our wildlife has flourished. Our friends saw 30 turtles come up to Poipu beach at sunset. This is unheard of since that beach is a tourist attraction and filled all the time! So we decided to go see if we could witness the magic of turtles at sunset. 

We enjoyed golden hour at the tide pools and wondered why we hadn’t headed south earlier! (Typically when it’s raining on the island, there is sunshine in Poipu….remember this for the next time you visit!!) After some time at the tide pools we headed to the beach. When we first arrived there was one cute turtle enjoying the sunset alone. By the time we left we counted 12 turtles on the shore. Turtles are such magical creatures, people of all ages enjoy watching them, making turtle watching a perfect family activity!! We found a beautiful Kauai sunset and turtles. It was the best way to end the day!

more Kauai sunset + turtle magic

cute + comfy

This Legoe jumpsuit is one of my favorites. It’s a maternity piece but I’m still constantly reaching for it (am I the only one still wearing maternity clothes 1+ years postpartum?!?!). It’s super comfortable and is easy to slip in and out of for beach days, river adventures, or hikes but is also cute to look put together enough for errands and play dates!! I love adding hats to my outfits. They are functional here in Kauai and add a fun change to my mom-iform. I borrowed the hat I’m wearing from my son, but I don’t think he minds sharing 🙂 One of the pros for being 5’3!

I hope the Kauai sunset and turtles brought you as much joy and peace as they did to me. Have a beautiful day, beautiful friends.

Melissa

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