Project Nature

If you are in Seattle, come to Town Hall Seattle on August 12 to see Richard Louv discuss his latest book with Sally Jewell.

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