Episode #32: Raising Outdoor Confident Kids: Why Outdoor Play Makes Family Travel Easier with Julianne Nienberg
🌿 How to Raise Outdoor, Confident Kids with Julianne from My Outdoorsy Mom
Simple Ways to Get Kids Outside More (Even If You Don’t Feel Outdoorsy)
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to get your kids outside more…
or wondered how to raise confident, resilient kids in a world full of screens…
This episode is for you.
In this inspiring conversation, I sat down with Julianne from My Outdoorsy Mom—mom of three, outdoor play advocate, and host of the My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast—to talk about why outdoor time can completely change the rhythm of your home, help kids grow in confidence, and make parenting feel a little easier.
Julianne shares practical, realistic ways any family can start embracing more outdoor play—without needing to be campers, hikers, or “super outdoorsy.”
Meet Julianne of My Outdoorsy Mom
Julianne is a mom of three who became passionate about outdoor play after noticing how easy it was to rely on screens during the toddler years—especially while juggling babies, meals, and everyday chaos.
She began experimenting with simple outdoor routines and quickly saw major changes in her kids’ behavior, independence, and creativity.
Today, she helps other parents raise outdoor, confident kids through practical tips, encouragement, and resources. Learn more about Julianne here.
Why Getting Outside Changes Everything
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
👉 Outdoor time doesn’t need to be complicated.
It doesn’t have to mean hiking mountains or planning Pinterest-worthy adventures.
Sometimes it simply means:
15 minutes in the backyard
Snacks outside on the patio
Bringing toys outdoors
Going for a family walk
Letting kids roam and explore safely
Julianne shared that even those small pockets of outdoor time created calmer days, smoother transitions, and less screen-time battles in her home.
How Outdoor Play Helps Kids Grow
We talked about how outdoor play supports:
✔ Confidence
Kids learn to try new things, take age-appropriate risks, and trust themselves.
✔ Creativity
When children aren’t overly structured, they create their own fun.
✔ Independence
Outdoor time teaches kids to problem-solve and entertain themselves.
✔ Physical Development
Climbing, digging, running, balancing, lifting, and exploring all help develop growing bodies and brains.
✔ Emotional Regulation
Julianne noticed her kids came inside calmer, more settled, and able to transition more smoothly after outdoor time.
Easy Ways to Start This Week
If you’re not feeling outdoorsy… start here:
Set a 15-Minute Timer
Julianne recommends simply saying:
“We’re going outside for 15 minutes.”
Start small. Consistency matters more than duration.
Bring Indoor Toys Outside
This was one of my favorite tips.
Try bringing out:
Legos
Dolls
Magnetiles
Coloring books
Trucks
Building toys
Sometimes kids just need a familiar bridge to begin outdoor play.
Eat Meals Outside
Breakfast on the patio.
Snacks in the grass.
Lunch at a picnic table.
Instant outdoor time with zero extra planning.
Invite Movement
Try:
Family walks
Bike rides
Playground stops
Backyard races
Water tables
Digging in dirt
Travel + Outdoor Play
We also talked about how this applies to family travel.
As many of you know, our family loves to travel—and Julianne shared such a great reminder:
👉 Kids don’t need packed itineraries all day.
They need balance.
Sometimes that means:
A museum in the morning
Playground or free play in the afternoon
Nature trail between activities
Beach time with no agenda
We recently experienced this ourselves during our 9 states in 9 days road trip when our kids asked for a day with no museums and no learning—just go-karts and mini golf.
And honestly?
It was exactly what they needed.
Releasing Control as Parents
This part of the conversation hit home.
Julianne talked about letting go of perfection:
Muddy shoes
Dirty cars
Grass stains
Messy backyards
Because often the memories kids treasure most come from the messy moments.
I shared how this mindset also applies to family travel:
Sometimes parenting gets easier when we stop caring so much about things looking perfect.
Moms Need Adventure Too
Julianne also shared about taking a solo women’s adventure trip to Guatemala—where she hiked a volcano, paddleboarded at sunrise, and reconnected with the adventurous side of herself.
Such a powerful reminder that moms need adventure too.
Whether that means:
A solo trip
A weekend away
A walk alone
A day date
Or simply doing something that makes you feel alive again
“You don’t have to be outdoorsy. You just have to get outside.”
Top Parenting Takeaway
Kids don’t need perfection.
They need space to:
Explore
Get dirty
Be creative
Build confidence
Feel free
Be kids
And sometimes all of that starts with simply opening the back door.
Where to Find Julianne
You can connect with Julianne here:
Instagram:@myoutdoorsymom
Website: myoutdoorsymom.com
Podcast: My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast
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