With summer winding down and school routines starting back up, a lot of us start to wonder: are my kids getting enough time outside?
When the days are long and the popsicles are cold, outside time just happens. But once schedules tighten, evenings get darker, and homework creeps in, it takes a little more intention.
So how much time is enough?
The short answer
Experts often recommend at least 1–3 hours per day of outdoor play for kids.
That might sound like a lot if your days are already jam-packed, but remember: it doesn’t have to be in one chunk. Ten minutes before dinner, twenty minutes after school, half an hour on the weekend - every bit counts.
Do you need an outdoor program?
Nope.
Outdoor schools and forest schools are wonderful, but you don’t need to enroll in one to give your child the gift of nature.
You don’t need a curriculum, a forest, or an expert guide. You just need to… open the door. Let your child toddle in the grass, dig in the dirt, poke at bugs, or climb a tree.
The world outside is already a classroom.
Babies in the cold?
If you’ve ever read about Denmark, you might have seen parents leaving their babies bundled up, napping outside (even in freezing temperatures)!
Sounds shocking if you’re used to sound machines and blackout blinds, but the practice is rooted in the belief that fresh air helps babies sleep better and strengthens their immune systems.
You don’t need to recreate a Scandinavian winter nap to benefit, but it’s a reminder: babies (and kids) don’t need perfect conditions to be outside. A little chill, a drizzle of rain, even snow - (very) fresh air is still good air.
The 1000 Hours Outside challenge
If you’ve stumbled upon the 1000 Hours Outside movement on Instagram, you’ll know families everywhere are tracking their outdoor time like it’s a game.
The goal?
Match screen time with green time by aiming for roughly 1,000 hours outside per year.
That breaks down to about 2-3 hours a day - and while the number isn’t a rule, the point is clear: the more time kids spend outside, the better. The founders have even created a handy chart to help you plan how to spend 1000 hours outside if you live somewhere with harsh winters.
And yes, more time outside often means more little scrapes, dry patches, or bug-bitten skin. That’s why we love keeping our Organic Diaper Balm in the bag - it doubles as a soothing salve for minor skin irritations (not just diaper rash).
The power of unstructured play
Here’s the real magic: kids don’t need a playground, a team sport, or a Pinterest-worthy backyard setup to benefit. What they need is unstructured outdoor play.
At first, your kids might struggle with this. They might say they’re bored. That’s okay, actually, that’s great. Boredom is where creativity begins.
Give them a stick, a cardboard box and a piece of string (or nothing at all.) Tell them you’re excited to see what they come up with. And then step back. Over time, you’ll see them finding it easier and easier to invent games, build worlds, and entertain themselves for hours.
Petites pensées
The answer to “how much outside time do kids need?” is both simple and freeing: more than yesterday, more than last week, more than they’d get if we kept them indoors.
Don’t stress about hitting the perfect number. Just open the door, let them be bored, and trust that nature (and your child’s creativity) will do the rest.
TL;DR: How much outside time do kids need?
-
Aim for 1-3 hours a day, but don’t stress - it adds up in small chunks.
-
You don’t need a forest school or a program. Just open the door.
-
Fresh air works in all weather (yep, even cold or rainy).
-
The 1000 Hours Outside movement suggests 2-3 hours/day.
-
The real key? Unstructured play. Boredom = creativity.
-
Bonus tip: fresh air sometimes means scraped knees and dry cheeks. Our organic diaper balm doubles as a soothing salve for minor skin irritations, perfect for your “outdoor kit.”