If you’re here, you’ve probably heard of the 1000 hours outside challenge, and your first thought might be:
“That sounds super cool… and super impossible.”
Well, it sounds tough, but it’s far from impossible. And you don’t need to become Swiss Family Robinson to make it happen.
The 1000 hour outside challenge is really about one thing: spending more quality time with your family away from screens and getting out to see the world.
In this article I’m going to break it down so you can see just how doable it can be!
“More time outside” is something almost every family craves. But it rarely happens. That’s because if you don’t have specific goals set, you’re typically not going to see any change.
After make a concerted effort to get outside more, my family has noticed the following:
If I look back over the past couple months, almost all of the fondest memories are outside memories. Being outside more is building memories that will last forever with your kids.
Even if you can’t pull off 1000 hours, set the goal. I promise good things will happen!
To hit 1000 hours outside in one year, you need about:
That number can feel huge… until you realize something important:
Winter is difficult to spend 2.7 hours outside every day. But that’s ok cuz you’re going to have 8 hour outside days, too. Just plan ahead so you can stay on track. Here are some examples of days that should easily surpass the 2.7 hours:
Sometimes all you can pull off is a quick 15-20 minute walk in the winter. That’s okay, we just have to plan and adjust for that.
In winter, you might only get 30–60 minutes outside some days. The trick is to accept that…and plan to make up hours during easier seasons.
In my family, we divide it up by seasons. Our rough plan is as follows:
I know 4 hours feels like a lot, but once you get your activities planned, it’s very doable! Let me show you an example!
Here’s the real hack:
You don’t need epic hikes every day.
You just need activities that:
So below are easy, realistic season-by-season ideas that help your family stay outside longer.
Spring is when motivation comes back and the days start getting longer.
✅ Easy win: Make outdoor time the default after school/daycare, even if it’s just 30 minutes.
Summer is where families crush the 1000 hours outside goal without even trying—because outside is easier and days are long.
✅ Easy win: Commit to one “long outdoor day” each weekend.
Fall is sneaky-good for the 1000 hour outside challenge because it’s comfortable outside for long stretches.
Hopefully you’re starting to see how realistic the 1000 hour outside challenge can be!
Winter is where most families fall behind… and feel like they failed.
You didn’t fail. Winter is just hard.
The goal in winter isn’t huge hours.
The goal is consistency.
✅ Easy win: Don’t aim for long. Aim for often.
Every minutes counts. Don’t discount 15 minute activities. They’re worth it too! Remember, even if you don’t hit the 1000 hours outside, the fact that you’re getting outside more is a win!
If you want your family to actually complete the 1000 hours outside goal, focus on systems instead of motivation.
Here are a few that work:
For example, make it a part of your every day schedule. “After dinner, we go for a walk around the neighborhood block.” Make it something you just do. Every day.
Have a bin or hook area that’s always ready with:
You’re going to burn out fast if “outside time” means being the cruise director.
Look for activities kids can do while you:
Tracking is what turns a dream into a goal.
When kids can see progress, they get excited. Here’s how we track ours.
The coolest part of the 1000 hours outside challenge isn’t the number.
It’s what happens along the way:
I know this goal seems lofty, but the important thing is to consistently be working toward the goal, not actually hitting it. Because when you’re working toward it, you’re spending outside time together with the people that matter most. Hope this helps!
The 1000 hours outside challenge is a goal to spend 1,000 hours outdoors in one year, encouraging families to replace indoor and screen time with outdoor time.
To reach 1000 hours outside, you need about 2.7 hours per day on average. Most families make up extra time in summer and fall when outdoor time is easier.
Anything spent outdoors counts, including:
backyard play
walks
parks
sports
hikes
picnics
sledding
sitting outside while kids play
Starting late is fine. You can still track your hours and build the habit. Many families choose to set their own 12-month period instead of starting in January.
You can track time with a notebook, printable tracker, app, or a physical goal board. The best tracker is the one your family will actually use consistently. We use the wooden tracker you see below!
The kids love putting the pieces in. They’re favorite part is every time we get a tenth “one hour” piece in, they get to put a “ten hour” piece in! Get yours here
If you’re here, you’ve probably heard of the 1000 hours outside challenge, and your first thought might be: “That sounds super cool… and super impossible.”
If you’ve ever started the year saying, “We should hike more,” and then blinked and it’s suddenly summer… you’re not alone. That’s why I decided
