About Green Hour

As a society, we are raising the first generation of Americans to grow up disconnected from nature.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that the steps that got us here are easily traced, and the way to work toward reversing them is clear.

Most importantly, by giving our children a "Green Hour" a day -- a bit of time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world -- we can set them on the path toward physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

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Most adults of a certain age have childhood memories of carefree days spent playing outdoors -- climbing, digging, collecting, building, and exploring the natural world around them, at their own pace, in their own way.

Those children of a generation ago are the parents of today, and you might expect such outdoor play to be part of their families' lifestyle. But today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood. Their senses -- including, most sadly, their sense of wonder -- are bombarded, overwhelmed, and ultimately diminished.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, refers to this nature-child disconnect as "nature deficit disorder." One of the primary symptoms is the replacement of the green space by the screen space as the occupier of children's free time. Indeed, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Studies have linked excessive television viewing to obesity, violence, and even lower intelligence in kids. Now, a growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts

Children who regularly spend unstructured time outside:

To give parents and caregivers the information, tools, and inspiration to get their kids -- and themselves -- outside, NWF has created GREENHOUR.ORG, a website rich in family-friendly content and which hosts a supportive virtual community where families can learn, explore, and share their outdoor experiences and backyard adventures. (TOP)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Because of work, school and other responsibilities, my family can't spend a full hour a day playing outside. Does that matter?

While we'd love to see the day when every child spends an hour -- or much more -- playing outdoors in green spaces, we believe the most important thing is to get outside for whatever amount of time is comfortable for your family. Even fifteen minutes of outdoor play, for a child who otherwise would have had none at all, is a good start. Just try to get out there, try to stick with it, and -- most of all -- have fun. Don't approach it as a chore, but rather as a break from chores -- a time to be free of cares, where you can catch your breath, recharge your batteries, and enjoy being together. You and your kids will be spending longer and longer stretches of time outdoors before you know it!

This sounds great, but I don't know much about the outdoors. Where do I start?

The Green Hour website provides lots of ideas for outdoor fun and exploration which can be adapted for different ages, experience levels, and learning styles. And for rainy days and inclement weather, we include recommended books, kid-friendly recipes, crafts, and tactile activities, all on relevant natural and seasonal themes.

What about the health concerns? Seems we're always hearing about exposure to the sun, mosquitoes, ticks, etc.

Just as playing organized sports can result in injury and attending school can result in a case of head lice, chicken pox, or the flu, it's true that spending time outdoors could possibly expose you and your family to potential health hazards. But it's also true that, for every concern, there are precautions that can keep you safe. As with anything, information and common sense can prevent many problems before they arise. Please consult our Parent's Guide for more tips for enjoying your time outdoors more safely.

I live in an urban area. Can I still do this?

The Green Hour program focuses on helping families to experience nature -- with a lower case "n". Whether your backyard is a rural patch, suburban yard, or a small city lot, you can participate in Green Hour activities and discoveries with your child. And if you don't have a backyard, there most likely will be a nearby public park, community garden, nature center, or other green space accessible to you and your family. (TOP)