Let's Go Outside

March 2025

Article by Brittany Schimke | Photos by Jamie Blotske

1,000 hours outside a year? For most parents, this sounds like an impossible feat, but it’s the ultimate dream come true for kids. The idea of swapping hours on screens for adventures in the great outdoors has sparked a movement that’s giving childhood back to children and transforming family life. Welcome to the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge.

What Is the 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge?

The 1,000 Hours Outside challenge is more than a parenting trend; it’s a mission to reclaim childhood. Inspired by the works of Charlotte Mason, an early 20th-century educator who advocated for children spending 4-6 hours outdoors daily, Ginny Yurich, a mom determined to change the course of her family’s life, founded the challenge. Ginny realized the power of outdoor play after her own experiences with her kids, noticing that extended time in nature brought them joy, creativity, and better health.

Research shows that kids today average 4-7 hours of screen time daily but only 4-7 minutes of unstructured outdoor play. The 1,000 Hours Outside challenge flips this script, encouraging families to prioritize time in nature. Ginny explains that spending “4-6 hours outside at least three to four times a week” adds up to around 1,000 hours a year, which matches the time today’s kids currently spend on screens. By front-loading childhood with rich outdoor experiences, families can foster learning, creativity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Jessica Sparks, a Billings mom of three girls aged 10, 7, and 4, has embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. “Our first year, we hit 500 hours,” Jessica recalls. “Each year, we spend more time outside.” She admits it isn’t always easy; sometimes, the girls resist heading outdoors. “But within 15-20 minutes, they’re having the time of their life,” she shares. Her daughters eagerly fill out their trackers and beg to play outside as soon as school is over.

Outdoor play isn’t just fun; it’s transformative. Kids develop emotionally, physically, and socially when free to explore nature. Ginny remembers her family’s first big outdoor adventure: a four-hour stint in an open field with a creek, a blanket, and packed lunches. “The kids got lost in their imaginations and came alive,” she recalls. Over time, she noticed fewer doctor visits, happier days, and stronger sibling bonds.

Ashlee Bohlman, another Billings mom of three boys aged 7, 5, and 3, started the challenge several years ago with her family and her daycare, Natural Discoveries. Playing outdoors is central to her parenting philosophy, and she draws inspiration from books about nature’s importance in childhood. “Everyone’s special childhood memories are made outside,” Ashlee shares, and she’s determined to foster that for her kids and the kids she watches. Her favorite mantra? “You cannot bounce off the walls if there are no walls to bounce on,” by Erin Kenny, is a fitting reminder for her active boys. Billings is a treasure trove for families looking to embrace the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge. Here are some tips to get started:

START SMALL: Jessica advises, “Just start with an hour a day and get outside.” Begin with 2-3 hours of outdoor play a few times a week. Visit Pioneer Park for a picnic, walk the rims, explore Norm’s Island, or take a long walk around your neighborhood.
WEATHER-READY MINDSET: Don’t let Montana’s winters hold you back. Jessica swears by the motto of the challenges founder, “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes.” Bundle up and enjoy snowy adventures.
MAKE IT FUN: Bring a blanket, snacks, and a sense of adventure. Kids don’t need expensive toys to enjoy nature. Sticks, puddles, and logs are often the best entertainment.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: The important part of the challenge is actually making it a challenge. The goal to meet the challenge gives families the extra push to complete it. Whether it’s 1,000 hours or simply doubling your current outdoor time, having a vision helps. Use the free charts off 1000hoursoutside.com.
FIND YOUR TRIBE: Connect with other families to make outdoor play social and sustainable. Ginny found that scheduling regular meetups made the experience even more rewarding.

Originally printed in the March 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

Brittany Schimke

Brittany Schimke is a devoted wife, mother, and outdoor enthusiast who loves crafting, leatherwork, and agriculture. She enjoys wine by the fire or on her back porch, and her writing reflects her passion for the land and its beauty.

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