Our Family’s Journey with the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge: How We’re Tackling Cold Weather and Busy Schedules
Have you truly ever thought about how much time your kids actually spend outside each day? Between screen time, school, extracurricular activities, and all the daily must-do’s, it’s easy to forget how valuable outdoor time can be for our tiny humans. That’s exactly what the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge aims to highlight: the importance of getting outside and spending intentional time in nature.
Last year, our family took on the challenge for the first time. While we didn’t quite hit the 1000-hour mark, we came in at about 500 hours—not bad for a first try being a family of working parents in Michigan, where winter weather often makes outdoor time feel like an impossible task! This year, we’re back at it, but with a strategy that includes a breakdown for cold-weather climates and a more intentional plan to hit that elusive 1000-hour goal.
So, what is the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge, how did it all begin, and how is our family tackling it in the midst of busy schedules and the often brutal Michigan winters? Let’s dive in.
What is the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge?
The 1000 Hours Outside Challenge is a simple but powerful idea: spend 1000 hours outdoors in a year. That works out to about 2.75 hours per day—a much higher goal than most people think, especially in today’s tech-driven world. The challenge was created by Ginny Yurich, another michigan mom who realized the profound impact outdoor time was having on her own kids and decided to make it a goal for her family.
The idea behind the challenge is rooted in the belief that kids—like adults—need time to be free, explore, and connect with nature. The outdoor time can come in all shapes and forms, whether it’s hiking, biking, building snow forts, gardening, or just playing in the backyard. It’s not about being super active every minute but about enjoying time in nature and (probably more importantly) away from screens.
Ginny’s mission is simple: encourage families to spend more time outside, reconnect with the natural world, and step away from screens. The benefits of outdoor play are well-documented, including increased physical activity, better mental health, improved creativity, and the ability to focus better in school. With this in mind, Ginny created an online community to help families stay motivated and share their journey toward 1000 hours. 12/10 recommend the app and the facebook group!
Our Family’s Experience with the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge: The First Year
When we first heard about the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge, it sounded a little overwhelming—especially as working parents with young(ish) kids in Michigan, where winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing. But after doing some research and hearing other families’ experiences, we decided to give it a go. The goal felt achievable if we were intentional about how we structured our outdoor time. But y’all.. 1000 hours outside is WAY more than you think is.
We KILLED IT in the spring and summer, taking advantage of warmer weather to go on hikes, bike rides, go to the beach, and play outside in the backyard. We had picnics at the park, spent time at various michigan beaches, and visited local nature reserves. Some days we barely had to try to get our hours in—my kids were constantly asking to go outside! We had over 100 hours in just the month of July. The more time we spent outside, the more it became the norm, and the more my kids just defaulted to wanting to be outdoors.
But THE WINTER. As much as we love Michigan, winter can be brutal. Snowstorms, icy roads, and freezing temperatures made it hard to keep up the momentum. Add in the fact that we’re both working parents with busy schedules, and outdoor play started to feel like a distant memory. The struggle to balance work, home responsibilities, and outdoor time was real, and by the time end of the year rolled around, we’d only managed about 500 hours. While we didn’t hit the 1000-hour mark, we were proud of the progress we made. It was a solid start, and the challenge opened our eyes to the importance of spending time outside—and how much we could actually do with a little intention.
Why We’re Doing It Again: The Benefits of the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge
Even though we didn’t meet our goal last year, we saw real benefits of spending more time outdoors. The most obvious one was that our kids had more energy, and they were happier and more creative when they played outside. Y’all, they sleep SO hard on the days we spend more time outside. They built forts, collected leaves, watched the birds, and spent time observing nature in ways we hadn’t expected. Not to mention, we also benefited from spending time together as a family in nature. It was a great way to reconnect without the distractions of screens and electronics.
But it wasn’t just the kids who benefited. We, as parents, noticed that we felt less stressed when we took the time to get outdoors. Whether it was a brisk walk in the woods or just sitting on the patio in the sun, those moments in nature gave us a sense of calm and reminded us that there’s more to life than the hustle and bustle of everyday obligations.
How We’re Tackling 1000 Hours Outside in Michigan’s Cold Weather
This year, we’re approaching the challenge with a new plan that accounts for the realities of living in Michigan, where cold weather can keep us indoors for what feels like months on end. After last year’s experience, we realized that without a strategy for winter months, hitting 1000 hours would be nearly impossible. But with a little creativity and planning, we know we can reach our goal.
Here are a few strategies we’ve put in place for a cold-weather climate:
1. Layer Up and Embrace Winter Activities
It’s all about embracing the winter weather! Instead of shying away from the cold, we’ve made it a priority to get outside even when the temperatures drop. The kids are bundled up in winter gear—warm coats, mittens, hats, and boots—and we’ve rediscovered just how much fun winter activities can be.
2. Break It Down and Track Hours
To stay on track for 1000 hours, we’ve broken the hours down into more manageable chunks. For example, we aim for at least an hour a day in winter months, and make up the difference in the warmer months!
3. Utilize the Early Morning or Evening Hours
With our busy schedules, finding time during the day to go outside can be challenging. So, we’ve started using early mornings in the summer or evening hours in the winter to fit in outdoor time. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block before work or a family stroll after dinner, this has helped us add extra hours to our tally.
4. Get Creative with Indoor-to-Outdoor Play
Sometimes, especially during the really cold or rainy days, it’s hard to stay outside for hours. But we’ve found that indoor-to-outdoor play can still count toward our hours. For example, we might start a nature craft project indoors and then head outside to gather materials, or we’ll cook a meal and eat it outside, even in the winter. It’s about creating those intentional moments outside, no matter the temperature. Also… eating outside with little kids is an EASY way to rack up hours.
Final Thoughts: Why 1000 Hours Outside Matters to Our Family
The 1000 Hours Outside Challenge isn’t just about hitting a number—it’s about embracing the outdoors, spending quality time together, and disconnecting from the digital world. Our family has already felt the benefits of spending more time in nature, from happier, healthier kids to a closer, more connected family dynamic.
As we work toward 1000 hours this year, we’re excited to continue our journey—no matter the weather. We’re embracing the cold, getting creative with our time, and seeing how much we can truly enjoy the simple things in life, like the fresh air, the sound of leaves rustling, or the joy of building a snowman together.
If you’re considering taking on the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge, remember: it’s not about perfection. It’s about getting outside, experiencing nature, and making memories that will last a lifetime. We try and document a good chunk of our journey over on tiktok- we’d love to connect and follow along if
