Parents telling their children to “Go outside!” may have been the battle cry of previous generations, but these days encouraging families to spend time outdoors can be a little more complicated. Urban environments, safety concerns, and busy schedules can conflict with families’ desires to spend time in nature.
Many parents see the difference between an hour of green time and an hour of screen time in their own kids. A growing body of research backs the notable mental, physical, and social benefits of time outdoors.
Families don’t have to go camping in a national park or move off-grid to get the benefits of time in nature. Nearby nature is easy to reach, and it works. Watching animals in the backyard, taking a walk in the local woods, looking for cool bugs in the park, or making a sandcastle at the beach can connect families with the benefits of nature. Here are five ways time outdoors pays off for kids and adults alike.
1. Better Mental Health
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and more than 1 in 7 youth ages 6 to 17 have a mental health disorder. Even without a formal diagnosis, many people, including kids, are stressed and anxious.
Studies have shown that time in nature can reduce stress and improve mental health for people of all ages. Adding in regular walks outside, trips to local parks to hang out, or visits to a nearby nature center, such as the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, can help everyone in the family access these benefits.
2. Sharper Focus in School
Time outside can pay off in the classroom. Research shows kids who spend time in nature can experience improved focus, increased attention, and reduced symptoms of ADHD. Outdoor learning experiences can also foster increased enthusiasm and motivation for learning.
3. Better Physical Health
Enjoying nature is linked with lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol, and better sleep. The time spent outside can also affect children’s health, even before they’re born. Spending time in nature while pregnant is associated with healthier birth weights and better fetal growth.
In early childhood, time spent in nature is associated with better eyesight, increased physical activity, and reduced risk of obesity.
4. Stronger Community Connections
Getting outdoors encourages people to interact more with those around them. Many local nature spaces, from community gardens to parks, also have opportunities for volunteering. As children grow, these are ideal spaces to strengthen their multigenerational connections, build their confidence, and foster their sense of place and community.
The Brushwood Center, a 2026 Make it Better Philanthropy Award winner, hosts community events, from art lessons to book clubs, where families can come together, experience nature, and meet new people in their communities.
5. Happy Family Memories
Sometimes the experiences in nature are less about nature itself and more about spending quality time with loved ones. The time spent in nature as a family can lead to some of the most treasured memories. Things as simple as “The time we saw a squirrel try to steal a whole pizza,” or “Remember when we tried to outrun the mosquitoes?” can become part of your family’s lore.
As the school year settles in, there are many ways to build outdoor time into the family calendar, from walks after dinner to seasonal programs and holiday light displays at nearby parks, zoos, botanic gardens, and arboretums.
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program. Each submission serves as the grant application into Better and the Make It Better Foundation’s broader storytelling and funding ecosystem. An excellent “You Said It” can earn a nonprofit you champion a $1,000 grant from the Make It Better Foundation in support of its mission, plus eligibility for an invitation to apply for a Philanthropy Award, expanded content partnerships, and greater engagement with our audience.
How to Help
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, a Make It Better Foundation 2026 Philanthropy Award winner, works to improve access to the outdoors for healthy communities through the arts, environmental education, and community action. Launching a newly renovated space in 2027, Brushwood Center invites you to join the mission as a volunteer, supporter, or subscriber to our programs.
Catherine Game leads Brushwood Center’s organizational strategy to advance health equity and access to the outdoors through community action, partnerships, and the arts. She is passionate about improving the health of people and nature, and activating the power of community to bridge social divides, foster inclusion, and empower change.
