OutGrown Blog

This blog was written in partnership with our friends at Turtle Fur. Every May in the U.S. we celebrate Mother’s Day—at OutGrown we aim to celebrate and support those mamas all year long! Our Turn the Blues Green program focuses on combating the perinatal depression and baby blues that new parents often face. We provide the resources new parents need to feel safe, comfortable and able to get outside with their babies and find a supportive community. The benefits of spending time outdoors for new mamas and babies The outdoors provides elements we need to regulate hormones, ease stress and improve our sleep/wake cycles. Spending time in nature helps to: Increase serotonin Reduce cortisol Improve cognition Ease depression Boost immune function Improve sleep When new moms reap the benefits of spending time outdoors, so do their babies—and by going out together begin to bridge the ever-growing baby-nature gap recent generations have experienced. How to support yourself or other new mamas to combat the baby blues The “baby blues”—which can affect up to 85% of new parents—is difficult to go through and can be hard to distinguish from perinatal depression (formerly known as post-partum depression), which is a condition that often requires medical treatment and intervention. A trusted healthcare provider should always be in the loop when you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of depression after the birth of a child. There are also resources like the free, confidential National Maternal Mental Health hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). What else can you do to help yourself when experiencing depression after birth? Find simple ways to spend time outdoors every day, like taking extra time when checking the mailbox, stopping to feel the sun on your face as you walk into the store, or choosing to meet friends/family/colleagues at a park instead of inside. Look up other supportive communities (like Hike it Baby) in your area and commit to joining at least once per week. Research and ask other parents about their experiences and what gear or resources helped them the most in their post-birth journey. Reward and treat yourself when you accomplish goals. Get inspired. Be inspiring. Sometimes it helps to simply know that you aren’t alone in your experience with depression and the baby blues. By sharing our stories, we can help decrease the stigma associated with mental health and help others get through difficult times. Stories like Dawn’s and Angela’s can help others know there are ways to overcome difficulties after giving birth. Looking for new gear to get outside with your little ones this summer? Check out Turtle Fur’s new summer collection for adults and kids! Photo credit: Laura Castro _ Burg Life Photography Here's a little more about OutGrown: We're a national, 501c3 nonprofit with over a decade of experience helping families get outside with their babies and young children. We believe it is critical to include and center families from birth because it is a crucial developmental time for both the infant and the parent, where we can create a life-long, multi-generational impact. We know that we protect what we love and we're helping families build a loving connection with the outdoors so they can value and protect it for generations to come. As a community-driven organization, we have been working with indigenous, Latine, BIPOC, immigrant & refugee, and rural families to co-design multilingual and culturally relevant solutions in our programming. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteers. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org  EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. 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.  

Overview: OutGrown and Burley have partnered to create the "My Biking Workbook," a fun and interactive resource that encourages families to explore the outdoors through biking. This workbook is packed with activities that promote safety, sensory engagement, and adventure. It includes sections like the Biking Sensory Ride, Safety Dance, Scavenger Hunt, and Design Your Own Bike Helmet. The workbook aims to help kids develop a love for biking and nature, making outdoor adventures educational and enjoyable. Key Features: Sensory Ride: Engage kids’ senses during bike rides. Safety Dance: Practice hand signals and learn bike safety. Scavenger Hunt: Enjoy a nature-based BINGO game during bike rides. Bike Helmet Design: Encourage creativity and safety. Adventure Snacks: Learn about healthy snacks for outdoor activities. Life in Motion: Explore how animals and people move in nature.

This blog was written in partnership with our friends at Turtle Fur. Every season has its challenges when it comes to finding the motivation to get outdoors. It could be too hot or too cold; too wet or too dry; too dark, windy, smoggy or muddy. We feel stuck indoors and our physical, mental and emotional well-being can take a hit because of it. “Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.” American Psychological Association. That’s why it’s so important to try to spend at least 10 meaningful minutes outside each day. The health benefits of spending time outside Getting a breath of fresh air can do more than improve our lungs—there are many proven benefits for the whole family to spending time outside. Benefit: Increased serotonin Exposing the body to sunshine naturally increases serotonin levels—those "happy" boosters we produce that impact things like our memory, stress, digestion and sleep.   Benefit: Increased Vitamin D Sun exposure is also a great way to naturally absorb vitamin D. We need vitamin D for healthy bone growth but also to help control cancer cell development, infections and inflammation in our bodies.   Benefit: Reduced cortisol levels
 Cortisol is the hormone that helps give us the energy we produce to wake up in the morning and also helps us fall asleep and rest as levels lower in our body. When we have high levels of cortisol we can suffer from things like anxiety, weight gain and heart disease.   Benefit: Burned calories
 Exercise outdoors has the added benefits of natural inclines, wind resistance and varying terrain—all of which add to more calories being burnt from something as simple as a stroll around the block.   Benefit: Improved memory, focus and attention Studies show that nature directly contributes to enhanced brain development in children who spend quality time outdoors. Nature itself helps to decrease the heart rate and blood pressure, regulate body temperature and helps with cognitive skills, memory and attention.   Benefit: Decreased risk of heart disease The combination of increased vitamin D, reduced cortisol and easing physical tension in our bodies from time spent outdoors contributes to a decreased risk of developing heart disease.   Benefit: Improved sleep Falling asleep can be difficult when your body isn't in the right rhythm or is too wound up to get restful sleep. Spending time outdoors helps our brains sync with a sleep/wake cycle and fall into a more healthy pattern of day/night energy.   Benefit: Eased depression symptoms
 Spending more time outdoors increases the likelihood of feeling connected to nature—and can therefore lead to feeling less isolated and depressed.   Benefit: Boosted immune function
 It's not just a breath of fresh air that helps us feel better as we escape from indoor germs and bacteria—sunlight may activate T cells in our immune system to fight infections and some plants release immune-boosting phytoncides into the air.   Benefit: Increased happiness and peacefulness When we soak up natural sunlight, breathe fresh air and appreciate the beauty of nature on a consistent basis, we increase our ability to feel true happiness and peace. We feel more connected, less confined and at ease from all the benefits of spending meaningful time outdoors regularly. Make it a habit to get outdoors every day Try to make it a habit to spend time in nature every day by starting small and finding others to motivate you and your family. Take a little extra time as you do your daily activities outside—like when you are walking into work, school or running errands. Find accountability buddies or communities with like-minded goals and inspire others while you achieve yours! Soon, it will become "natural" to spend more time in nature and you will reap the benefits of improved mental, physical and emotional well-being. Want to view more studies and learn more? We think this article is a great resource. Looking for a fun way to support our Hike it Baby program? Check out the Totally Tubular Comfort Shell from our partner, Turtle Fur! About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together.

Downloadable PDF with resources for promoting and joining the Spring Sensory Celebration.

Updated for 2025: Spring Sensory Celebration As we step into a new season, we’re refreshing this post with new insights and activities for our Spring Sensory Celebration! This annual initiative encourages families to slow down and experience nature with all five senses. Whether you’re a longtime follower of OutGrown or discovering us for the first time, we hope these ideas inspire fresh ways to explore the outdoors with your little ones. While wandering through nature, we take in our surroundings using our senses. We smell flowers, touch tree bark, listen to bird calls, see details (like an ant trail on a tree), and even taste some of the natural objects we come across (think berries or edible flowers). And, while investigating nature in this way comes naturally to most children, sometimes we forget to allow children the time and space they need to do it. As part of OutGrown’s Spring Sensory Celebration, we’re sharing simple, engaging ways to activate each of the five senses outdoors with young children. Photo Credit: Michelle Pearl Gee Exploring Nature by Touch Touch is one of our most immediate ways of experiencing the world. Every moment outside offers a chance to notice new textures and sensations, from the sun's warmth to the rough bark of a tree under our fingertips. Though we take almost all of our touch sensations for granted and do not think much about them, one minute outside can feel like this: You touch the doorknob to let yourself outside and immediately feel the warm air and a slight breeze on your skin. You step outside, and your bare feet feel the warm cement ground. You walk toward your front yard and brush your arm up against a bush. You touch some flowers right before your feet touch the cooler grass. You take a moment to relish the feeling of the grass before you sit down and feel the soft ground under your body and maybe a slight itchy feeling on your legs. We often take these sensations for granted, but when we slow down and focus, we can turn everyday outdoor moments into a mindful, sensory-rich experience. But, if we slow down outside, practice a little mindfulness, and think about each feeling as it touches our body, it can shift any outdoor experiences greatly. Five ways to slow down and experience the sense of touch in nature: Create a touch box. A touch box is a fun, hands-on guessing game that helps kids explore nature through feel alone. Gather natural objects, such as pinecones, feathers, and smooth stones, place them in a box, and have kids guess each item by touch. You gather some simple natural items and put them inside a box. Don’t let your children see what is in the box and have them guess what nature item it is based on touch alone. You can put one item in at a time (good for younger children) or all at once to make it more challenging. Walk barefoot in nature. Our feet are packed with nerve endings, making them perfect for sensory exploration. Walk barefoot on grass, sand, or dirt, noticing how each surface feels differently. When you intentionally think about each sensation your feet feel, the whole experience of walking barefoot shifts just a bit. Find different textures in nature. Try a texture scavenger hunt! Challenge kids to find something rough, smooth, soft, bumpy, cool, or warm. You can also just have the ideas in your head and have the kids search for one at a time while you meander your favorite trail. Some examples of easy-to-find nature textures are rough, smooth, cold, warm, wet, dry, hard, soft, etc. Hug a tree. Tree-hugging isn’t just for fun; it’s a great way to explore texture and size. Notice whether the bark is rough or smooth, warm or cool, thick or thin.. Are you able to wrap your hands all the way around? Is the bark rough or smooth? Count the skin sensations. Pause for a minute and count all the sensations on your skin, the breeze, the sun, and the feeling of the ground beneath you. You’ll be amazed at how much you notice when you focus! The wind on your skin, the sun's warmth, the feeling of the ground under your body, the fly that landed on your leg, and so much more. It is hard to focus on only the sense of touch, but how many different things our skin can feel in just one minute is fantastic. Ready to explore more? Join our Spring Sensory Celebration! Share your sensory nature experiences with us using #SpringSensory, and check out our other posts on hearing, taste, smell, and sight for more ways to engage with nature.   About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together.

Updated for 2025: Spring Sensory Celebration This year, we’re reintroducing Exploring Nature with Your Senses: Hearing as part of our Spring Sensory Celebration! Throughout the season, we invite families to explore the outdoors using all five senses—starting with sound. Nature is full of melodies, rhythms, and whispers waiting to be heard. Whether it’s the chirp of a bird, the rustle of the wind, or the splash of raindrops, each sound deepens our connection to the world around us. So, let’s slow down, listen closely, and experience the wonders of nature through sound. Exploring Nature Through Hearing Listening to nature can ease the stresses of daily life and help us feel more connected to the outdoors. From the calls of birds to the rustling of wind on a blustery day, the buzzing of cicadas, or the rush of water after a rainstorm—nature is alive with sound. Even in urban settings, if you take a moment to pause, you’ll notice the subtle sounds of nature all around you. So, step outside with your children and explore the soundscape of the natural world together! While wandering through nature, we use our senses to take in our surroundings. We smell flowers, touch tree bark, listen to bird calls, see details (like an ant trail on a tree), and even taste some of the natural objects we encounter (think berries or edible flowers). While investigating nature in this way comes naturally to most children, sometimes we forget to allow them the time and space they need to do it. We share five different ways to explore each of the five senses with your children! So get outside as a family, slow down, and explore nature with your senses together! Photo Credit: Ashley Schneider Five ways to slow down and experience sounds in nature together: Find five sounds. Find a comfy spot, or at least a spot free of sharp rocks and pokey plants, and lie down. Close your eyes and put a fist in the air. Now listen carefully to the nature around you and put a finger up each time you hear a new nature sound. Once all five figures are raised, sit up, wait for everyone else to finish, and then share what you heard.   Listen to bird calls. Listen to the birds around you as you sit for a picnic or hike a favorite trail. If you want, spend time trying to match the bird calls to the bird, or try to count the number of different birds you hear. There is no wrong way to listen to the sounds of birds, even if it is just listening to them and nothing more.   Hear your footsteps. As you walk through nature, listen to the sounds of your footsteps. Do you hear the crackle of dried fall leaves, the snapping of twigs, the splashing of water, or the crunch of snow? There is a different sound for every season or ground cover—and the sounds even change depending on your footwear.   Listen like an animal. Find a quiet place in nature where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and pretend you are an animal listening for survival. Are you a prey animal (rabbit, squirrel, deer) listening for danger? Are you a predator animal (fox, wolf, owl) listening for movement? What do you hear? A human talking? A squirrel chattering? A dog barking? How would your animal react to those sounds? This is a great way to teach kids about how animals use sound in their daily lives. What’s That Sound? For this game, gather some common nature objects—sticks, dried leaves, rocks, sand, water, acorns, pinecones, etc. Please place them in a box or behind your back where your children can’t see them. Can they guess what made the sound? Have your kids close their eyes (or wear a blindfold), then make a noise with one of the objects: Tap two rocks together Crinkle fall leaves Shake a few acorns in your hand Rub two pinecones together This game helps kids develop active listening skills and increases their awareness of the sounds around them. Keep Exploring! Want to engage even more senses? Check out our other posts on exploring nature through smell, taste, touch, and sight!  📢 Join the Spring Sensory Celebration! We’d love to see how your family is exploring nature through sound. Share your outdoor sound adventures using #SpringSensory and tag @WeAreOutGrown! About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together