Fresh Air and Families: Books to Inspire Time Outside
Screen free play time is so important. Fresh air. Sunshine. Snow. Leaves. Gardens. Dirty hands, bare feet, boots, mittens, urban, rural…regardless of the weather or setting or accessibility to green space, being outside helps nurture the senses. Taking just 15 minutes to be outside and soak in your surroundings will help you (and your kids) keep your sanity. It also lends itself perfectly to family time, uninterrupted. There are a plethora of articles siting the benefits of play for children. There are equally as many siting the benefits of outdoor time for adults. Fresh air, exercise, gardening, time unplugged are all proven to aid mental and physical health. So…what are you waiting for? Get out there!
Mission Read has compiled a list of books to give ideas, share science or parenting advice or act as a guide. Check them out, read them and share your favorites!
Go Outside and Play! Outdoor Winter Family Fun: Maggie daSilva
Forever Wild Parenting: Laura Tyler Blind
The Creative Family: Amanda Blake Soule
I Love Dirt!: 52 Projects to Help You and Your Kids Get Outside, Get Dirty and Enjoy Nature: Jennifer Ward
A Natural Sense of Wonder: Connecting Kids with Nature through the Seasons: Rick Van Noy
Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids: Rebecca Cohen
The Green Hour: A Daily Dose of Nature for Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids: Todd Christopher
Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life: Renee Peterson Trudeau
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder: Richard Louv
Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry): Leonore Skenaky
Simplicity Parenting:Using the Extraordinary Powers of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Kids: Kim John Payne
Outdoors with Kids: Appalachian Mountain Club (various editions based on location)
Best Hikes with Kids: The Mountaineers Books (various editions based on location)
Green Guide Families (National Geographic) The Complete Reference for Eco-Friendly Parents: Catherine Zandonella
