How kids spend their time

time spent on screens vs not spent on screens

In School

Children today spend more hours per day, days per year, and years of their life in school than ever before.

Structured

The average American child spends only four to seven minutes per day in unstructured outdoor play.

Scheduled

Since the 1970s, children have lost 12 hours a week of free time

On Screens

The average American child spends over 7 hours a day in front of a screen.

In less than a decade, there has been a 50 percent increase in children’s discretionary screen time (DST).

Sedentary

80% percent of US high school students don't get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Where kids spend their time

We are raising an indoor generation. As schools cut recess and parents fill children's schedules with indoor activities, kids are not heading outside.

minutes per day
The amount of leisure time 8 – 15 yr old UK children spent in parks, countryside, seaside, beach or coastal locations, on average.
%

The decrease in area in which kids can explore today.

%

The percentage of time kids spend outside.

%

Amount of time kids today spend playing outside compared to their parents.

The State of Kids

Today’s children are weaker, less fit and less emotionally stable than previous generations. In fact, experts say this may be the first generation at risk of having a shorter lifespan than their parents.

%

Suicide rates have soared 24 percent in the U.S. since 1999.

in 12 kids

Have the average core strength and balance of the kids 30 years ago.

1 in 5 American children ages 3 through 17 — about 15 million — have a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder in a given year.

%

Of today’s children will be obese by the time they are 35.

Learn How to Reverse the Trend of an Indoor Childhood

vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Activities, Essentials, Family, Urban, Young Naturalists

The Dos and Don’t of Feeding Birds

Nature offers us the most precious and vital gifts each and every day. But one...
Read More
winter trees
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Essentials, Young Naturalists

Loving Winter Trees Like Thoreau

 “Nothing stands up more free from blame in this world than a pine tree.” Who...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Critters, Essentials

Fear of the Outdoors

While we need to avoid raising a generation of biophobic kids for their future and...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Essentials, Health

The Feedback of Fear

A spider hanging from the ceiling. A bee buzzing by. A line of ants marching...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Education, Essentials, Young Naturalists

Why We Want to Help Your Child Become a Naturalist

We started this website a few years ago with the goal of helping children rediscover...
Read More
beaver
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Critters, Education, Written by Kids, Young Naturalists

All About Beavers

Sure, they’re busy! Beavers shape our world, reengineering the landscape as they make suitable habitats....
Read More
insect
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Armchair Naturalist, Critters, Essentials, Young Naturalists

Insects: The Animals That Rule the World

When it comes to learning about nature, one type of critter that little naturalists will...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Critters, Education, Family, Urban, Young Naturalists

Decoding Birds

Virtually anywhere you are outside in nature, you will see them. Birds are one of...
Read More
nature journaling
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Activities, Critters, Essentials, Urban, Young Naturalists

Nature Journaling for the Mini Naturalist

Often parents tell us that, even though they are taking their kids outside, they aren’t...
Tags , , , , , , ,
Read More
tree identification
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Education, Family, Young Naturalists

The Best Tree ID Apps

Our secret is out. WE LOVE TREES. Not just because they are one of the...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Critters, Education, Essentials, Gardens, Young Naturalists

The Importance of Being a Butterfly

What could be more wonderful on a sunny day than crossing paths with a beautiful,...
Read More
vamtam-theme-circle-post
Category Activities, Essentials, Family

12 Fun Ways for Families to Explore Nature this Spring

Ah, Spring. The days grow longer and warmer. The critters are once again flitting and...
Read More
Page 2 of 9 1 2 3 4 … 9

Sign up to get Nature at home

Get the latest news, events and tips for a nature-filled childhood!