Winter Signs of Winter
Look for signs of the new season.
Rediscover Nature with Green Hour™
Encouraging kids of all ages to spend time outside every day in nature discovering our beautiful world and the wonders of wildlife.
In these uncertain times, we need outdoor experiences more than ever. Each week we will provide two new activities and tips for recording your findings in your Nature Notebook. Each activity can be completed in 15 or 30 minutes segments, but it is best to spend a Green Hour™. Let’s get started!
View More Activities >
Winter Winter Nature Notebook
Make your time outdoors more meaningful too by keeping a Nature Notebook.
Zajęcia leśne dzieciwnature #wakacjewnaturze, które współprowadzę z ogromną radością z mchy_szyszki_i_paprocie💪🌱🌱🌳🌳🌳💙💚. Cudownie udało się uchwycić jeden z momentów przez reguckapaulina 👏💚. Dziękuję! #outdoor #wakacje #natura #miasto #las #naturedeficitdisorder #naturaurbana #czwartaprzyroda #edukacja #zachwyt #miasto #foresteducation #idziemynapole #bagnowciąga #przyroda #zielonagodzina #greenhour #naturekids #dzieciwnature #offline #ecologicaleducation #zoopolis
Hi 👋 Seeing there is 1000 of you lovely people here now, I thought I’d take a moment to introduce myself.
I’m Hannah, and this is my family. Husband of ten years Nick, 11nick22, Ezra, 6, Phoebe, 4, and baby Jemima, who is hiding in this picture. 👶
I write about the benefits of simplifying, switching off our screens and heading outside more often.
Why the name Our Year Outdoors?
In 2016 we set a goal to take our children outside for three hours every day for a year.
On the very first day of our project, we walked out the front door, buckled the kids into their car seats and drove to the beach. And as the sun rose over the ocean, we played in the waves together.
In the year that followed, we wandered through fields, climbed trees and played in the rain.
We built teepees and cubbies. Scattered seeds and watched them grow. Camped on a mountain, told stories by firelight, and counted the stars.
And we had a whole lot of fun.
Now I want to inspire you.
I want to help you find a deeper connection to this wonderful earth.
Not because I know a lot. When I started Our Year Outdoors, I was scared of bugs, didn’t like dirt and thought bush walks were kind of boring.
But because I’ve learnt that the simple act of spending more time outside, can make us healthier and happier.
And ultimately it can change our lives. 🌿☀️
And I’m so thankful you are following.
Now that I’ve introduced myself, I’d love to know a little about you.
Where are you reading this from, and did you grow up playing outside or is it something you are learning too?
📸 bonniemaherphotography
#vitaminn #getoutside #raiseawildchild #optoutside #nature #outdoorfamilies #childhoodunpluggerd #letthembelittle #everykidinapark #findyourpark #outfam #kidstoparks #natureplay #childrennatureplay #wildandfreechildren #parenthood #candidchildhood #nochildleftinside #naturewalk #outdoors #naturekids #parenting #greenhour #wildtime #outsidefamily #ouryearoutdoors
is it golden or green hour ... you choose
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#goldenhour #greenhour #fiftyshades #fiftychades_of_nature #powerofthought #naturephotography #naturebrilliance #naturebeauty #silence #silencespeaks #colorofnature #sunset #raw_allnature #visitdestillekempen #walkinginnature #walkingbelgium #hiddendspots #verborgenplekjes #tv_nature
#dutch_captures
#stolenmoments #open #woods #speaklife
Do you set aside time for the outdoors? Or do you just "wing it" and go out when you can?
This year we set up a specific time each day, 4-5pm, to just drop everything and go outside. It`s been doing amazing things for our moods and totally downplayed the dreaded 5:00 wiggles my kids always get (does anyone else`s kids just go completely nuts at 5pm?!?)
#Sponsored We`ve been getting inspiration from the #GreenHour project from LLBean and nationalwildlife Federation, with lots of fun ideas for outdoor activities. This week`s mission? To hunt for signs of wildlife! Check our stories to see what we found :).
#LLBeanPartner #BeanOutsider
LADYBUGS have arrived! P O M A R I U S always looks forward to ladybug time. It’s an amusing activity for all the little gardeners out there. #Greenhour #EnjoytheOregonRain
Ladybugs 500 Pack available in the Greenhouse
📷 julietyenglin for Pomarius, Inc.
P O M A R I U S
#PomariusNursery
#PlantswithCharacter
#IPlantPomarius
#BeneficialInsects
#Ladybugs🐞
#PomariusGreenhouse
Due to the challenges of the pandemic, kids are spending a lot more time online and too little time outside. To provide fun and easy ways for kids to go from screen time to green time, we’ve forged a new partnership with the nationalwildlife Federation. The program, called “The Green Hour,” includes seasonal activities designed to encourage kids to spend more time outdoors. We will be sharing these activities every week, so stay tuned! #GreenHour
When my son was three, my husband gave him a knife. There’s a new post on the blog about that, and why I give my children the freedom to take risks and do adventurous things. Link in profile 🧗♂️
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#vitaminn #optoutside #nature #getoutside #raiseawildchild #outdoorfamilies #ouryearoutdoors #childhoodunplugged #adventure #wildandfreechildren #outdoors #explore #candidchildhood #parenting #letthembelittle #naturewalk #nochildleftinside #nomattertheweather #outside365challenge #outsidefamily #outsidefam #outside365 #greenhour #parenthood #getoutandplay #playoutside #toddlerlife #outdoorfamily #naturekids #naturechild
Experts recommend children spend 2-3 hours outside each day.
How do we make sure that happens for our kids?
For one thing, we plan it. Every Sunday I sit down with a cup and write out our week. On to my planner goes any events or appointment we have on, what meals and snacks I’m planning snd also our outdoor adventures.
One afternoon it might be meeting a friend at the beach, Saturday might be a morning in the garden with Dad.
Generally I let the kids choose one local outdoor place they love each week and we make an effort to go there.
If you’re interested, there are some other things we do that help, which I’ve written about on the blog. Link in profile.
But I’m curious, are you a planner? Do you like to be organised with kids and have a plan each day? Or are you more spontaneous?
#vitaminn #getoutside #raiseawildchild #optoutside #nature #outdoorfamilies #childhoodunpluggerd #letthembelittle #everykidinapark #findyourpark #outfam #kidstoparks #natureplay #childrennatureplay #wildandfreechildren #parenthood #candidchildhood #nochildleftinside #naturewalk #outdoors #naturekids #parenting #greenhour #wildtime #outsidefamily #ouryearoutdoors
On holidays getting outside is easy. You’re in a new place, and you’re not working, so you can fill your days with trips to the beach, at a local park or in the snow.
Weekends are good too—for bike rides, picnics or ocean swims.
But if we want our kids to have all the benefits of outdoor play in the early years, it’s best done daily.
And the everyday play looks different.
It has to be done, after work and preschool, while mum’s folding washing and Dad’s cooking tea, when the weather’s not perfect.
For us, it’s one of us taking the kids around the corner to the same empty oval to kick a ball.
It’s dress-ups in the backyard, climbing the magnolia tree, riding their bikes around the house, mud play in the garden.
Sometimes they don’t want to go out, ‘it’s boring’ they tell me.
But I tell them it’s important, and they have to go out and find something to do.
And they always do.
Do you manage to get outside and play each day?
I’m pretty sure a bit of boredom is good for kids, do you agree?
#vitaminn #health #getoutside #raiseawildchild #optoutside #nature #outdoorfamilies #childhoodunpluggerd #letthembelittle #everykidinapark #findyourpark #outfam #minimalism #minimalismwithkids #minimalismwithfamily #childrennatureplay #wildandfreechildren #parenthood #candidchildhood #nochildleftinside #naturewalk #outdoors #naturekids #parenting #greenhour #wildtime #outsidefamily #ouryearoutdoors
Yesterday we did a 6.5km walk at Cradle Mountain with these two and their cousins.
We haven’t done many long bush walks before and have kept our outdoor adventures to open-ended things like beaches, parks and bush play.
But they did amazing.
They loved spotting wombats, running along the track and playing on the pebbly banks of Dove Lake.
The walk, including stops, took over two hours, but they didn’t complain once.
I left completely inspired to book in some more walking adventures, even if they’ll soon involve a baby in a carrier.
Now I’m daydreaming about doing a short overnight hike with the kids.
Have you done longer walks with your kids?
How did it go? Or are long walks something you’ve put in the too hard basket like I had?
#cradlemountain #bushwalking #hikingwithkids #vitaminn #getoutside #raiseawildchild #optoutside #nature #outdoorfamilies #childhoodunpluggerd #letthembelittle #everykidinapark #findyourpark #outfam #kidstoparks #natureplay #childrennatureplay #wildandfreechildren #parenthood #candidchildhood #nochildleftinside #naturewalk #outdoors #naturekids #parenting #greenhour #wildtime #outsidefamily #ouryearoutdoors
Why am I here? Why am I still working on this blog after 12 years? Whenever I wonder, nature greets me with views like this.
Not long ago, California State Parks were closed which make me appreciate them even more now that we can go.
The protection of this particular park is in question. Visit calparks for more of this story.
On the day my son and I visited a few weeks ago, San Onofre State Beach was just the nature and ocean experience we needed.
We couldn`t remember which trail we`d hiked before. Was it 5 and 6 or 4 and 5? Hmmm . . .
We didn`t want to wait to drive to Trail 6 to figure it out. So we hit Trail 4. Turns out we`d never been on this trail before!
So now you can read about how to do Trail 4. Or how to do Trail 6. I have two San-O posts on my blog now.
We didn`t even go in the water. Just hiked down the hill and explored the beach and listened to the waves. We even spotted a dolphin!
#parksmakelifebetter #playmatters #playideas #naturewalks #naturewithkids #VitaminN #optoutside #greenhour #nearbynature #ispynatureoc #orangecounty #whereorangecounty #ockids #ocmoms #oclife #ocmomblogger #ocexplore #sanonofre #californiastateparks #sanonofrestatebeach #mycastatepark
Can you guess the plant? 🌱
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#heidelberg #germany #altstadt #mycity #macrophotography #homesweethome #heidelpics #shadesofgreen #plants #greenhour #makrofotografie #heimatheidelberg #heidelbergliebe #aboutheidelberg #rheinneckarcreatives #wonderlustheidelberg #streetphotography #streetscenes #germanalphas #germanysworld #bwjetzt #badenwürttemberg #deutschlandkarte #sigma_deutschland #sigmafoto #europestyle_germany
sigma_deutschland
germanalphas
sonyalphasclub
sonyalpha
wonderlustheidelberg
aboutheidelberg
rheinneckarcreatives
bwjetzt
naturebawu
deutschlandkarte
alluring_deutschland
Exploring the wonder that is lichen - the symbiosis of algae and fungus 🌿🍄🍁
#exploringnaturewithchildren #enwc #1000hoursoutside #natureplay #naturestudy #naturestudies #wildworld #getoutside #optoutside #greenhour #wildandfreechildren #wildandfree #homeschooling #natureschooling #unschooling #homeschoolpreschool #minnesotalife #minnesotakids #exploreminnesota
"Sunsets good for soul"
In these days more than ever we find it very essential to embrace whatever makes you feel good! Stay in the positive side ..look for all the beauty around.... enjoy the moment ...we all await for better days...spread love..Be SAFE.
#naturekids #lovelysunset #backyard #rayofhope #family #kids #landscapephotography #beautifulearth #natureseekers #greenhour #momoftwo #instakids #cute #babies
And all of a sudden it’s cold! But the sun is shinning, so we can still play with mud, meet friends at the park and take walks by the sea. There are only a few apples left on our trees now and the moon lingers in the sky each morning, while we stir our porridge. This weekend we are planning to light a fire in the backyard and eat baked potatoes and beans under the stars. And I’m already dreaming of the first snowy trip to Cradle Mountain. What about you? What are your ideas for getting out in winter? Or maybe you live on the other side of the world and have a long summer stretching ahead of you. What outdoor adventures are you planning? 🍂
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#vitaminn #optoutside #nature #getoutside #raiseawildchild #outdoorfamilies #ouryearoutdoors #childhoodunplugged #adventure #wildandfreechildren #outdoors #explore #candidchildhood #parenting #letthembelittle #naturewalk #nochildleftinside #nomattertheweather #outside365challenge #outsidefamily #outsidefam #outside365 #greenhour #parenthood #getoutandplay #playoutside #toddlerlife #outdoorfamily #naturekids #naturechild
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