Project Nature

Kids need fresh air year-round—even when the weather is rainy and cold!

Keep reading for easy kid friendly activities in nearby nature even in bad winter weather:

• Bundle up and take a 15–20 minute neighborhood walk. Short counts.

• Visit a local park or trail after snowfall—quiet, magical, and uncrowded.

• Go on a winter scavenger hunt: animal tracks, pinecones, bare branches, icy puddles.

• Try a “weather walk”—talk about wind, clouds, breath fog, and temperature.

• Let kids play freely: climbing snowbanks, balancing on logs, throwing snow, splashing in slush.

• End with a warm-up ritual at home (hot soup, tea, or a bath). Routine matters.

Cold weather builds resilience. Nature calms nervous systems. Outdoor play supports sleep, mood, immunity, and family connection.

Not sure how to dress kids properly for winter weather?

➡️Excellent guidance here:
https://www.weareoutgrown.org/start-here-bio

You don’t need perfect conditions—just the right layers and the decision to go.

Your children will thank you later. 🌿👣

✨ Holiday Break = Nature Break! ✨

The holidays can get busy, stressful, and screen-heavy—but even a few minutes outside can help kids reset, move their bodies, and feel more connected. You don’t need a mountain trail to get the benefits of nature.

Here in the PNW, families and caregivers have so many easy ways to get outdoors this season!

Here are a few easy ideas you can try right in your neighborhood:

🍃 Rain Walk Bingo
Make a quick bingo card: moss, puddle, colorful leaf, bird call, cool rock. Kids love the hunt—rain makes it even better!

🏙️ Neighborhood Micro-Adventure
Set a “quest”: find the tallest tree on the block, count murals, look for cool textures, or follow the sound of running water.

🌧️ Embrace the PNW Weather
Rain is part of the fun. Layers, boots, and a warm drink afterward turn any soggy outing into a memory.

🪵 Pocket Park Play
Even the smallest park can become a nature classroom. Look for insects, practice balancing on logs, or try a 5-minute “sit spot.”

🎄 Light + Nature Walks
Combine holiday lights with outdoor time. Walk to see decorated porches, storefronts, or downtown trees—bonus points for spotting constellations on clear nights.

✨ Every moment outside helps kids thrive- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Let’s make nature part of our holiday rhythms, one simple adventure at a time.

🍂 City Adventures: Fall Edition 🍁

Are you raising kids in a city? CIty living doesn’t mean our kids can’t soak up the magic of Fall outdoors. 🍃

Urban parks, tree-lined sidewalks, and community gardens all offer a front-row seat to nature’s show — no long car ride required.

Let your kids crunch through leaves, collect acorns, spot migrating birds, or just feel the chill of the season on their cheeks.

Every little outdoor moment builds curiosity, resilience, and joy — the foundations of lifelong well-being. 🌳

✨ Tip: Pack some snacks, a magnifying glass and a sense of wonder. The best adventures are often right outside your front door.

🌿 Project Nature proves feasible and effective in primary care clinics!

A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics highlights how BestStart Washington’s Project Nature helps clinicians bring the power of outdoor play into everyday family conversations.

In real-world clinic settings, Project Nature was found to be feasible, practical, and well-received — giving providers tools to encourage kids’ active play and connection with nature.

The takeaway: Project Nature supports children’s physical and emotional well-being, and this study lays the groundwork for a larger evaluation on its impact for families across Washington State.

Read more about the study: [link in bio]

➡️https://lnkd.in/gsHhKMWt

Learn about Project Nature: www.projectnaturewa.com

Ask your librarian for the book “Digging Into Nature” or pick up a copy at your local bookstore for more inspiration! 🍃🍂🍁

Summer’s almost over... but outdoor time doesn’t have to be. 🌿

School’s starting, calendars are filling up and it’s so easy for fresh-air time to slip away. Kids still need those outdoor moments for movement, stress relief, and family connection.

Here’s the trick: plan it, or it won’t happen.

Block it off like a class. 🗓️

Keep it simple — backyard, park, evening walks. ☀️

Let kids lead — climbing trees, riding bikes, cloud-watching. 🌳

Nature resets busy minds. 🍃 Make your outdoor plan now so screens and schedules don’t take over.

What’s your family’s go-to way to get outside this fall?

💡Looking for ideas of how to spend time outside with you little ones?

🌳If you can, find a space where your child can dig, collect, climb, and build without hurting nature. This space doesn’t need to be big, but your child needs to feel that they are free to make changes there.

When you and your child play outside together, ask them open-ended questions about the experience that encourage thoughtful answers. The goal is to develop
your child’s curiosity and excitement about the natural world.

Let your child get dirty! Hands-on, active play in nature is key.

🎨Sidewalks = blank canvases for your budding chalk artist!

Sidewalk chalk is a simple, screen-free way for kids to get creative, stay active, and have fun close to home.

Whether it’s hopscotch, murals, or just doodling in the sun, chalk play encourages motor skills, expression, and outdoor time — even in the heart of the city.

✨ Bonus: chalk washes away with the next rain — no cleanup stress!

🌿 Step Outside & Breathe in Nature This Week! 🌿

Spending time outdoors doesn’t have to mean a big trip—nature starts right at your doorstep. Fresh air, natural light, and a little green can go a long way for your child’s well-being.

Here are a few easy doorstep nature ideas:

🍃 Go on a nature scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. What kind of interesting bugs,rocks and leaves can you find? Project Nature offers free Nature Scavenger Hunts. Link in Bio

🌼 Encourage your children to draw pictures of what they see in green spaces and gardens nearby. Can’t leave your home? Look out the window! Encourage them to look up. Ask questions like: Do you see anything interesting to draw? Birds? Trees? Clouds?

🌳 Play games under a tree or plan a picnic in your yard or at your local park.

🦉Take a short walk and look for birds. Download Cornell’s Merlin Bird ID app to learn about the birds near you.

Even 20 minutes outside each day supports calmer minds, better sleep, and healthier bodies—for kids and adults. Enjoy the simple joy of being outdoors today and every day with Project Nature Washington. 🌞

☀️ Beat the Heat with Kids – Washington State! 🌲💦

Summer is heating up fast, and keeping kids cool (and happy) is key. Whether you are in urban or rural areas, here are some easy ways to keep your family cool.

💧 Splash Zones: Find a local spray park, splash pad, or wading pool — most cities and towns have one! Great for toddlers and big kids alike.

🌿 Nature + Shade: Head to your nearest wooded trail, creek, or shaded park. Trees offer natural cooling, and nature helps kids stay grounded and calm.

🏖️ Water Time: Lakes, rivers, and beaches abound in WA. Look for lifeguard-supervised swim areas with free life jackets. Always stay within arm’s reach of little swimmers.

🍓 Cool Snacks: Freeze fruit, make DIY popsicles or stop at a local farm stand for chilled treats. Hydration matters — water before anything else!

👒 Heat Safety: Hats, sunscreen (SPF 50+), loose light clothing, and shade breaks every hour. Watch for signs of overheating — crankiness, red cheeks, and fatigue mean it’s time to rest.

💬 Tip: Little bodies heat up fast — plan your outdoor fun early in the day or after dinner when the sun’s lower.
Washington summers are beautiful but brief — enjoy them safely, one splash at a time! 💦🌞

🍃More Green Time, Less Screen Time! 🌿

Looking for simple, low-cost ways to help your child connect with nature? Even in the middle of the city?

Here are 6 easy ways families and caregivers can help their kiddos enjoy the outdoors and spark nature play:

Daily Nature Walks – Head outside after dinner or before school. Look for birds, bugs, flowers, or cloud shapes. Let your child lead the way—they’ll turn a sidewalk into a safari.

Urban Scavenger Hunts – Create a simple list: a feather, a yellow leaf, a smooth rock, something that smells earthy. Use a park, alley, or your block. It’s a fun way to slow down and notice nature.

Sidewalk Chalk + Nature Art – Bring a bag on your walk to collect leaves, petals, and sticks. Use chalk to draw habitats or turn a leaf into a paintbrush. Let the imagination run wild.

Picnic in the Park– No need for anything fancy. Lay down a blanket, bring snacks, and just be. Nature doesn’t need to be an “activity”—sometimes it’s just about being still.

Grow Something Together – Use a windowsill or container garden. Kids love checking in daily on sprouts. Basil, mint, or lettuce grow fast and can teach patience, wonder, and where food comes from.

Puddle Stomping & Mud Play – Yes, it’s messy. But that’s the point. Let kids feel the earth—mud, rain, and all. Pack dry clothes!

🍃 Nature play builds strong bodies, minds, and hearts. It can be fun, and right outside your door! Start small. Go often. Watch the magic happen. Go outside Today and Everyday!