Any form of getting children into the outdoors is a good one. Whether it is a gentle potter around the back garden, a good old hike for older ones across the countryside, if it is for 5 minutes or 5 hours, the benefits can still be reaped. As the author Richard Louv famously suggests, we should be using vitamin N (N for nature) as treatment for nature deficit disorder. 
However, we also know that, especially during these darker, damper, winter months, it can be extremely hard to drum up the enthusiasm to head outdoors and do everything that getting out there entails. I will be the first to admit it is blooming hard work convincing three small people that they really do want to go out, and then shoehorning them into various weather proof outfits. That is why each month, at the start of the month, I will add onto the freebies page, a monthly list of 10 activities you can do to help inspire you to head out there for your dose of vitamin N with your little, or not so little, people. These are some of the things I do with my three to give me some direction and an aim for getting them out there, which often helps everyone’s frame of mind.
The aim behind the ideas for getting vitamin N is that they are all very simple so shouldn’t put you off, and if you need a little more convincing about the ideas where mud is involved head over and have a read as to why mud and dirt are worth all the extra effort 🙂 Vitamin N can be achieved without sitting in the middle of a forest, wild camping, and hunting for your supper!! It can be achieved by just stepping outside your front door (or back door), onto whatever awaits you out there.
I hope through these activities you make a lot of happy memories, have fun together, and enjoy being outside. If you need more information about an activity, I have blogged about doing most of them, so if you type in a few keywords in the search box, you should then be able to get some more information, or see what we have done in the past.
Let me know how you get on in the comments below for each month, I will love hearing about your experiences. You can also share your experiences on social media too, it will give others ideas and I can keep up with what you are all doing. Use the #fridayoutdoorfun on your instagram photos, and don’t forget to join in with our Friday outdoor fun thread (every Friday). And if the children have got mucky, then join in with our Mucky Mondays thread (every Monday) over on Facebook .
Photo credit Tom Pitman Photography
Just subscribe to the blog and you will receive an email with the password for the freebies page, and then you are all set to access every month’s new ideas by clicking on the month’s thumbnail in the freebies tab. Have fun!!!
Comments 15
We have got really lazy with making an effort to get outside this year, there always seems to be an excuse to stay in. Must try harder!
Lucy Dorrington recently posted…What Walking Stick Users Want You to Know
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It is a lot easier to stay in when you think of the effort involved, but once out there it is so good for everyone!
Great idea. I’ve subscribed and look forward to getting ideas from you. getting back to nature is really one of the best things you can do for your children.
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Fantastic! I hope you enjoy browsing the freebies and the monthly activities each month 🙂
What a great idea. I do know we used to struggle with ideas for days out in the UK. But having a resource of ideas would have been ideal!
Cath – BattleMum recently posted…Trialmotor: The BEST way to introduce your kids to motorbikes
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Ah thankyou! I hope you enjoy them over the next 12 months!
We make a point to getting outside as much as possible but seem to have been thwarted left right and centre this month. Must. try. harder……..
Kara recently posted…Tuscan Dreams with Simpson Travel
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Our weather has been horrendous here in Sweden too, so it makes it less inviting!
We try to get out everyday and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.
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It is good but a little harder in the winter to drum up motivation
I am so guilty of keeping the kids indoors over the past few weeks. January has just been so dismal and the thought of 3 soggy kids doesn’t appeal!
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I know it has been the same here, but when I get them out we have better play and less arguments on our return. I just need to psych myself up to do it!
Mine have loved getting outside even when it’s been grey and miserable. Needed s break from school and indoors.
Stephanie recently posted…Things You Should Know About Rattan Garden Furniture
Great suggestions. My cup of tea has always been going camping. But with children sometimes it is a mess. Are you planning to post about outdoor games for children?
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Thankyou. I haven’t planned to post about outdoor games with children at the moment, but lots more outdoor based posts will be coming up!