How much outside time do very young kids need?

[Anonymous]

For optimal development and physical and mental health. Are we talking 1-2 hours? Or more? Does this apply in the winter as well?

[Anonymous]

How young? For my 9 month old, I am for 1-2 hours. Winter was much easier than summer - on a very hot and humid day, I don't always get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How young? For my 9 month old, I am for 1-2 hours. Winter was much easier than summer - on a very hot and humid day, I don't always get there.

1-2 years also wondering if this changes as they get older

[Anonymous]

No such thing as too much as long as its bot too hot/freezing. My kids got at least 2 since birth. Even just a stroller walk in winter or early morning in summer.
Ive plopped my kids in a pack and play outside or a pen while i do yardwork on weekends if they are younger than 2. After that they help out in the gated yard or just play in the water table and hammocks. We aim for 2 outings a day minimum. One is with the nanny and one with me when i get home or they are already out at 4. At 2 and 5 they are outside for at least 3 hrs. Oldest and i take a walk after dinner most days when the toddler is in bed.

[Anonymous]

As much as possible. At a minimum one hour, rain or shine. Kids need sunlight.

[Anonymous]

None. I hate nature, hate the sun, hate bugs, don't want to sit in grass, and have always been this way. Perfectly healthy.

[Anonymous]

As much as possible. Or they wind up cranky like PP.

[Anonymous]

4 hrs per day. More if the weather is nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For optimal development and physical and mental health. Are we talking 1-2 hours? Or more? Does this apply in the winter as well?

Yes, applies to winter too. I really love this book, it talks about Scandinavian approach to raising kids as much as possible in nature. I think they do 4-5 hrs a day, even in winter: https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Such-Thing-Bad-Weather/dp/150114362X

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No such thing as too much as long as its bot too hot/freezing. My kids got at least 2 since birth. Even just a stroller walk in winter or early morning in summer.
Ive plopped my kids in a pack and play outside or a pen while i do yardwork on weekends if they are younger than 2. After that they help out in the gated yard or just play in the water table and hammocks. We aim for 2 outings a day minimum. One is with the nanny and one with me when i get home or they are already out at 4. At 2 and 5 they are outside for at least 3 hrs. Oldest and i take a walk after dinner most days when the toddler is in bed.

I'm from Ukraine, where it's freezing a lot, and there they believe infants sleep better outside, so you will see strollers out for hours in 15 F weather. It's all about bundling up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 hrs per day. More if the weather is nice.

+1

One of mine needed more. For the other, 4 hours was usually enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No such thing as too much as long as its bot too hot/freezing. My kids got at least 2 since birth. Even just a stroller walk in winter or early morning in summer.
Ive plopped my kids in a pack and play outside or a pen while i do yardwork on weekends if they are younger than 2. After that they help out in the gated yard or just play in the water table and hammocks. We aim for 2 outings a day minimum. One is with the nanny and one with me when i get home or they are already out at 4. At 2 and 5 they are outside for at least 3 hrs. Oldest and i take a walk after dinner most days when the toddler is in bed.

I'm from Ukraine, where it's freezing a lot, and there they believe infants sleep better outside, so you will see strollers out for hours in 15 F weather. It's all about bundling up!

I sleep better in freezing weather. I'd love to be a ukrainian baby!

[Anonymous]

As much as you can, in my opinion. You have to be careful under 45f and over 90f.

We live in the city and push for 2 hours at least a day in a green space with day beach trips and forest on weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 hrs per day. More if the weather is nice.

Simply not possible with 2 under 2 in an urban area.

[Anonymous]

I think every kid is different and parents have their own preferences. I think there is such a thing as too little time outdoors, and kids do need fresh air. Plus, a change of scenery is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve someone's mood or renew their energy, and that's true for a 1 month old and 60 year old. So if your kid is getting cranky or whiny, a trip outside is almost never a bad idea.

I wouldn't say there is such a thing as too much time outside in general, but there is for certain kids. My kid literally wilts in hot weather. I'm not going to force her to play outside in 90 degree, sweltering humidity, just because "outdoors" is good for her. Same with kids who get really uncomfortable in the cold. Obviously dress kids appropriately for the weather, but also listen to them and follow their lead a bit. My kid doesn't mind rain at all, but hates heat. Some kids love heat and hate precipitation of any kind. Listen to your kid.