What Today’s Moms Are Saying About Kids & Outdoor Play

We encourage our kids to play outside. We know exploring our environment and developing a basic appreciation of nature is a fundamental part of being a kid. But some families have better access to a rooftop deck than a hiking trail, and some parents just don’t love the outdoors all that much themselves.

With that in mind, how can we encourage our kids to get outside, and what counts as quality outdoor time?

Working with the National Wildlife Federation and its “Be Out There” program, which encourages kids and families to spend time outdoors, The Motherhood surveyed more than 300 moms nationwide and hosted a number of virtual focus groups to gauge their feelings on the issue.

The analysis of the survey results, along with highly productive feedback from the focus groups, has shifted the National Wildlife Federation’s philosophy on what it really means to “Be Out There.” Moms don’t need to take their families on a hike down the Appalachian Trail. A simple walk through the neighborhood, pointing out shapes in the clouds and stopping to explore an anthill or two, is just one simple and accessible way to introduce kids to nature.

As we heard from a mom during one focus group: “Making it clear that nature can easily fit into your life will draw in people who feel overwhelmed that they have to plan a full day of outdoor activities.”

Another noted that outdoor time shouldn’t be complicated: “Go for a walk with your family. Fly a kite. It can change your whole outlook, and should be simple.”

You can click here to glance through an infographic that breaks down the survey results, or keep scrolling to see it in this post.