by Josée Bergeron, Mother and Author • Backwoods Mama
We hear a lot about how good it is for children to get outside, and it’s true. Time outdoors helps kids thrive. They are often more active outside, moving their bodies in ways that help develop gross and fine motor skills. Playing outdoors also supports healthy child development by improving creativity, problem-solving skills, social skills, emotional regulation, and even academic abilities. But the benefits of being outdoors do not stop with our children. Going outside can support parents and caregivers too, boosting our own well-being while also strengthening connection and bonding with our children and with the beautiful land that sustains and surrounds us here in the Okanagan Valley.
Of course, knowing that outside time is good for our family is not always enough to get us out the door. I know this firsthand. The reality for many parents and caregivers is that life is full. Schedules are busy, and screens can feel impossible to compete with. Families feel time-starved and exhausted by the demands of daily life, so the draw of convenience—staying indoors—is really tempting. Even when we want our children to spend more time outside, there is the question of where to go, what to do, and what to wear for the weather. There is worry about ticks in the spring and air quality in the summer. And if you do not feel particularly ‘outdoorsy,’ you may not feel all that confident heading into the forest with your kids in tow. If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Many parents and caregivers want their children outside more and would love to join them, but struggle to make it happen in everyday life. I am no stranger to this struggle. With five children ranging from toddler to teen, and all the movement that comes with family life, it can be a challenge to get outside, even when I know it helps all of us feel happier, healthier, and more connected. In fact, this very struggle is what led me to write Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family.
The good news is that getting outside as a family does not have to be complicated.
You do not have to go far from home. Nearby nature—the natural world just beyond your front door—is enough for your family to experience the benefits of being outdoors. That could be nature in your own backyard, a local park, a sidewalk lined with trees, or a quiet suburban trail. Nature is everywhere and around us all the time. You do not have to go far to find it.
You do not need hours of free time. Moments of noticing nearby nature together make a bigger difference than you might think. Simply slowing down to smell a flower, listen to a chickadee trill from a tree, or jump in a puddle matters a great deal, and these moments can happen in the in-between parts of family life. They do not have to take hours a day or even be planned excursions. In fact, regular moments of noticing nature throughout the day can make a bigger difference than a one-off excursion into the forest once a month.
You do not need to be an ‘outdoorsy’ family. The outdoors is for every family—truly. You do not need to take your family backcountry hiking, rock climbing, or canoeing to feel healthier, calmer, and more connected. Nature holds space for all ages, interests, and abilities, and it offers no judgment. That could look like a walk along the shores of Okanagan Lake, visiting a flower garden, or even a trip to a local farm.
You do not need expensive outdoor gear. If you and your child are dressed for the weather, it does not matter what brand of clothing you are wearing. That could mean hand-me-down rubber boots and a thrifted rainsuit for your toddler. In fact, one of the best ways to find great outdoor gear is at local thrift stores or through online marketplaces.
But what if just getting out the door is the challenge? Again, you are not alone. If your child does not seem interested in nature or going outside, or if you do not feel very connected to it yourself, take heart. There is one more idea from the research that I want to share with you. It is something researchers call nature connection. It describes the way we relate to the natural world. Think of it like a relationship with a friend or loved one. Feeling connected to the natural world is possible for everyone. Like any healthy relationship, time and effort are important, but starting with small, manageable steps is key.
Sometimes that might look like walking or biking to school and pausing to notice the birds overhead, the blossoms opening, or the clouds moving across the sky. It might mean sitting on the front steps together with a snack after school. It could be a short walk after supper around the neighbourhood, or a visit to a park you have never explored before. It can even begin by sitting quietly under a favourite tree and listening.
Sometimes connection grows when we help our children notice the small and easily overlooked things: earthworms after a rainstorm, snails in the garden, crows calling to one another, or the changing shape of the moon.
Sometimes it is as simple as paying attention to the seasons together. In spring, you might look for the yellow blooms of arrowleaf balsamroot on the hillsides. In summer, you might wade into Okanagan Lake or eat popsicles in the shade. In fall, you might visit an orchard and notice the cooler air and changing leaves. In winter, you might step outside to catch snowflakes or simply feel the cold air on your cheeks.
These moments help children build familiarity with the natural world. They help us as parents and caregivers slow down. They create room for conversation, curiosity, and connection. They help us find our way back to one another and back to nature. For families who feel stretched thin, nearby nature offers something gentle and possible. It reminds us that connection does not always require more planning, more gear, or more hours in the day. Sometimes it begins with simply opening the door, stepping outside together, and noticing what has been there all along.
Josée Bergeron is Red River Métis and lives in Kelowna, BC. She is a mother of five, author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family, and encourages families to get outside and connect with nearby nature. Find free printable resources at backwoodsmama.com.