Scientific Proof That Will Motivate You to #OptOutside With Your Family

OutGrown Blog Scientific Proof That Will Motivate You to #OptOutside With Your Family
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Sara Wesche

Nov 22, 2019

Doctor's Orders, #OptOutside on Black Friday

Ask any Hike it Baby family and they will share the positive impact outdoor time has on their children and family as a whole.

“Our kids sleep better.” “Everyone is in a better mood.” “They gain confidence every time we hit the trail.” “It helped me overcome postpartum depression and form a better bond with my child.”

Until recently, the evidence on the benefits of the outdoors was mostly anecdotal. But, huzzah, science! The studies and reports about the positive impact of time in nature keep rolling in.

In evidence from more than 140 studies involving 290 million people, the University of East Anglia reports exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of Essex found that 9 out of 10 patients suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park.
A University of Illinois study suggests that residents in Chicago public housing who had trees and green space around their building reported knowing more people, having stronger feelings of unity with neighbors, being more concerned with helping and supporting each other, and having stronger feelings of belonging than tenants in buildings without trees.
A study in Mind found that 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced.

It’s Official, Going Outside is Good for You

It’s official - spending time in the outdoors is good for you. Really, really good for you. And we’re just talking about time outside of four walls. You don’t have to be bagging peaks, hiking epic trails, or spending months in the backcountry. Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on stress and anxiety. But, we’re Hike it Baby, so we’re here to encourage you to get your kids outside more often. You can start this Black Friday by choosing the outdoors over the indoors. Don’t worry, all of those great holiday deals will still be there on Cyber Monday.

What is #OptOutside?

#OptOutside began in 2015 when outdoor retailer REI chose to close on Black Friday. They gave their employees a paid day off and encouraged everyone to spend time outside instead of… well… shopping. This action has since turned into a movement and a widely popular social media hashtag. You can learn more about #OptOutside and the 2019 event here.

#OptOutside for Your Kids Sake

According to an article from Harvard University Medical, there are six, proven reasons children need outdoor play.

Sunshine.

We need sun exposure to make vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in many body processes, from bone development to our immune system.

Exercise.

Getting outside to play is one way to ensure children get the recommended one hour of daily activity. Additionally, active play, which takes place when kids are outdoors, is the ideal exercise for children.

Executive function.

Skills such as planning, prioritizing, troubleshooting, negotiation, multi-tasking, and even creativity are all developed through unstructured time, time with other children, and time where they must entertain themselves. Outdoor play gives children opportunities to practice these important life skills.

Taking risks.

Children learn just as much from failure as they do from success. Natural areas present a number of opportunities for risk-taking. (More about risky play here.) Yes, as parents it may give us anxiety watching our child climb a tree or navigate rocks to cross a creek. But practicing risk-taking gives children the confidence to keep trying even when they fail.

Socialization.

If children only interact with other children through very structured settings, they won’t develop everything they need to know about working together. Outdoor time with other children, where they are making up games, choosing which way to turn on a trail, or helping each other with gear, will develop their abilities to make friends, share, cooperate, and learn how to treat others.

Appreciation of nature.

“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

David Sobel

A cross-cultural research study by J.A. Palmer (1993) found that the single most important factor in developing personal concern for the environment was positive experiences in the outdoors during childhood. As David Sobel explains in his article “Beyond Ecophobia”, “Children are disconnected from the world outside their doors and connected with endangered animals and ecosystems through electronic media. Children are being exposed to frightening environmental issues at an early age, but are not first being given the opportunity to develop close personal connections with nature.” We are putting a lot of responsibility on the next generation to take care of our planet. If they never experience the benefits of nature they may never understand why it’s so important to save it.

Optoutside for the benefit of your children

Hike it Baby is working to make sure every child has access to nature. Help us in our mission to raise a generation that loves (and benefits from) the outdoors by considering a donation to Hike it Baby. Many Hike it Baby branches are also hosting #OptOutside hikes on November 29, 2019. Getting outside with kids is easier when you have a supportive, inclusive community of like-minded parents and caregivers to #optoutside with. Join Hike it Baby for free today and find a hike near you!

ABOUT HIKE IT BABY

Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental beneﬁts of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their ﬁrst steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, beneﬁt from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, Hike it Baby is a growing community of 270,000 families and over 400 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information, as well as outdoor engagement events, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

EDITORS NOTE:

We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you.

But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

Photos courtesy of Brandi Rondinelli and Deanna Curry.

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Voting is one of the most fundamental actions of a democratic system. In 2016 only 46% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 turned out to vote. It's important that we teach our kids from a young age how voting works and why it's important to their community. Most children learn about voting from watching their parents participate in the process. Here are three easy ways to teach your kids the importance of voting. Hold a Mock Election There are a few ways to you can simply and easily show your kids how the voting process works. Hold your own election and vote on what's for dinner or the family movie for the night and have a conversation around it. Another option, create a stuffy election like Portland Hike it Baby member Kaleigh did with her 6-year-old son. She walks you through the stuffy election they held in the video below. [embed]https://youtu.be/Z4Ak_hkSvnc[/embed] Read a Book About Voting There are a number of books available to teach your children about voting and the election process. Two big favorites in the Hike it Baby community are Grace For President and Grace goes to Washington. Both offer a simple narrative of the election process through a short story and pictures. If you're looking for more in-depth information for young elementary-aged children, What's the Big Deal About Elections, is filled with facts about the history of elections, voting booths, campaigns, national and local elections, and more. (Be sure to shop at Amazon Smile to support Hike it Baby with your purchase.) Check with your local library. With the upcoming national election, they will likely have books on display about voting, democracy, and elections. Involve Your Kids When You Vote In the future, when COVID-19 isn't an issue (hopefully), you can take your child to the polls with you to vote. Especially if you can vote in an off-peak time or live in an area where your polls are less busy, taking your child or children is a great way to show them first hand how voting works. If you are voting absentee ballot, show your child the ballot, what's on the ballot such as those running for elected positions and proposals, and talk about how the process works. You can also talk about the duties and activities of our elected officials and how they directly affect the local community. According to Parents Together Action, the top 5 reasons to vote with your kids are: Kids learn by doing It helps your kids feel powerful You are sharing a sense of history and an understanding of how many have fought for the right to vote To inspire others with your actions And of course, the free "I Voted" stickers! What kid doesn't love a sticker? Check out this article for more resources and tips to make your plan to vote as a busy parent. Find your local Hike it Baby branch to create a connection with like-minded parents and caregivers and stay up-to-date on current virtual events as well as future in-person hikes when we can once again join each other on the trail. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photo courtesy of Monique Vargas. Video courtesy of Kaleigh Boysen. Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

Kids to Parks Day 2020 is Bringing Parks to Kids - Here is How to Celebrate

Kids to Parks Day, always held on the third Saturday of May, is a day of outdoor exploration at our national, state, and local parks and outdoor land areas. Organized by the National Park Trust, the mission of Kids to Parks Day is to foster future outdoor enthusiasts and help with developing the next generation of park stewards by engaging kids in memorable outdoor experiences. Many parks across the country host nature walks, activities, events, and more to get kids and families involved in their parks. We even have a tree growing in our yard from last year’s event here in Grand Rapids, MI - thank you Kent County Parks! Kids to Parks Day is Parks to Kids Day for 2020 Because of the need for social distancing and other health and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10th anniversary of Kids to Parks Day is coming to you virtually this year on May 16th. Here’s how you can get involved and support our parks and public outdoor spaces. Virtual Activities Grab one of the at-home activities and distance learning opportunities to help bring the outdoors and parks to you. Play backyard bingo, think like a paleontologist, design a nature collage, learn about the parts of a flower, and more! Share your activities on social media with the hashtags #CompleteOurParks #KidstoParks #BuddyBison and tag @nationalparktrust. Download the ParkPassport App National Park Trust and Blue Star Families have created the ParkPassport mobile app with the goal of allowing families and individuals to find parks, get outside, and discover the power the outdoors has on quality of life. Create an account, find local, regional, state, and national parks, earn badges for parks visited and outdoor recreational activities completed, and connect with other park enthusiasts and families across the country. Check out the Virtual Visits Finder to virtually visit federal and state parks and find additional resources. Collect badges for completing your virtual visits. Download here for Android Download here for Apple Check Local Resources Visit your local parks department to see if they are doing any virtual events for Kids to Parks Day. In lieu of in-person events, some park departments and organizations may be doing curbside pick-up native plant sales, virtual park tours, or have additional online activities. Some areas have rescheduled their events for later in the summer. Donate or Volunteer If you have the means, you can donate to the National Park Trust which works to protect and preserve the National Parks. Or, donate directly to your park of choice or a land conservancy in your area. Once it is safe in your area to do so, donate your time to your local parks services. There are many ways volunteers help improve parks and trails, both outdoors and working behind the scenes. Check with your local parks department on how you and your family can get involved. Kids to Parks Day and Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a proud partner of Kids to Parks Day and many of our Branches are hosting virtual events and activities to celebrate Kids to Parks Day. Find your local Hike it Baby branch to create a connection with like-minded parents and caregivers and stay up-to-date on current virtual events as well as future in-person hikes when we can once again join each other on the trail. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Ashley D Scheider and the National Park Trust mobile app. Editors Note: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We do not make this ask lightly, but if you are able to afford it, make a donation, and become a Hike it Baby member. A membership also makes a great gift for that new parent in your life. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. If you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.