When I was young, my daily life consisted of long walks, gardening, family soccer games, making mud pies, wading through creeks. We practically lived outside. My parents frequently took us on weekend camping trips. When we were teens, we struck out on longer, more strenuous trips, like hiking the Grand Canyon. It was a life of exploration. The great outdoors was our never-ending playground, always available for adventure.

My parents were—and still are—obviously passionate about being outside. In their spare time, they trained for marathons and entered couples’ tennis tournaments. This love of being active and outside was naturally passed down to my sisters and me, and now we’re sustaining that through our own families.

So, why is this important? Why should it be a priority to get your family outside daily?

I’m glad you asked!

Let’s look at the facts.

1. Mental Health and Intellectual Development

The American Academy of Pediatrics says outdoor play helps children improve concentration, and focus better in a classroom setting.

Playing outside= better academic performance

Free play, particularly outdoors, is also proven to reduce anxiety in children, whereas an overly structured and scheduled lifestyle can contribute to depression in kids. There are even studies showing that time outside reduces ADHD symptoms. 

Being in nature also promotes problem-solving skills and creativity. How can we build a dam? Or make a teepee? Where can we find worms for fishing? Can we move these rocks to create a path across the stream? Or, my favorite outdoor experiment as a kid: how many caterpillars can I stick on my sister’s shirt before she notices?

There was an interesting scientific study called the “forest-bathing” experiments. Sounds intriguing, no? Scientists sent half of the participants into the city and the other half into the woods for a day. Then they swap. On days people spent in forests, they had substantially lower blood pressure, lower pulse rates, and lower levels of cortisol (often called the “stress hormone”). 

In essence, time in nature gives kids a happy, healthy, more focused mind! It’s a powerful anti-depressant, and always available!

2. Strong Bodies

In addition to the mental benefits, getting outside strengthens our bodies. Sunshine improves vitamin D levels. Fresh air and dirt strengthen the immune system. Movement boosts cardiovascular health and builds muscles.

Did you know that natural light even improves eye development, and can improve already existing vision problems? Outside play can curb the growing rate of nearsightedness, which has become pervasive in China, other East Asian countries, as well as the US. Until now, there hasn’t been an effective intervention.

Children develop their fine and gross motor skills by getting outside, climbing trees, catching balls, rolling down hills, jumping rope, and catching bugs.

Plus more time outside helps battle the obesity epidemic in our country. We need kids to be active and moving, not plopped down, perpetually glued to their electronic devices. Obesity in children can increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can also affect a child’s self-esteem. Children who are overweight are at higher risk of battling weight problems as adults. Let’s get our kids off to a good start, not perpetuate a lifelong battle.

3. Spiritual Growth

When we develop a deep appreciation for the amazing world around us, it’s nearly impossible to be unhappy.

Gratitude drives out discontent.

“In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.”
David Steindl-Rast, Benedictine monk and author

Spend time outside observing every tiny miracle: moss on trees, butterflies, singing birds. Thank the Giver of all good gifts when you spot rebel flowers poking from cracked sidewalks, or sunshine streaming through the clouds. Don’t take these daily wonders for granted.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

The natural world is a sanctuary where God can minister through everything we encounter. All people everywhere, in every language, are able to comprehend God revealing Himself. Through nature, humans are constantly reminded of God’s existence. Surely, spending time outdoors is worthwhile. It prompts our thankfulness for God’s provision, creativity, power, and divine nature.

We’ve established WHY it’s so important to get your family outside. Part 2 will be discussing HOW to go about encouraging this lifestyle!