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Ends 10/13 US Only
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We would like to encourage you to enjoy your local #Naturehood and to help encourage others to do the same. These “naturehoods” are just a short drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and re-connect with nature.
Does it ever seem like your kids aren’t spending nearly as much time outdoors as you did when we were little? With all of the new technologies and overscheduling of today’s world, it’s easy to forget just how close—and how important— your local forest or green space really is for your kids! There are many developmental benefits for children who spend time in nature, and it’s closer than you think.
Did you know? Children who play outside are more creative, have lower stress levels and more active imaginations. They also become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, and have greater respect for themselves and others as well as the environment.
“A bit of back story on it: For the most part, it was a real, live experiment with kids. We really did promise that they would get to test out “the most realistic game in production,” and bussed them to a local NYC park to do so. We got to watch their reactions when they realized that the forest itself was the game!” Below is a quote from the video’s creative director that you should feel free to use: “We tricked a bunch of kids into putting down their video games by telling them that they’d be testing an even better video game. When we finally revealed that the forest itself was the game, they weren’t the least bit disappointed. As a mom, I see firsthand how stressed out kids are these days and how hard they’re pushed by school requirements and state testing. It was a pleasure to work on a project supporting getting kids out into nature which is scientifically proven to offer meaningful health benefits to these kids,” said Jill Applebaum, Creative Director.
One Winner will Win a $100 Amazon Giftcard!
Giveaway begins September 30th, 2015 at 12:01am EST and ends October 13th, 2015 at 11:59 pm EST.
Open to US residents age 18 and older.
Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email.
See Giveaway Tools widget below for full terms & conditions.
Julie Simpson says
October 13, 2015 at 10:48 PMLiving in Ann Arbor Michigan we have so many beautiful trails, huge parks that lead into the forest if you don’t know where’s you are going. The colors are what we call a stretch of road that’s cluttered with huge trees right near the golf course, it’s so beautiful I get great pictures!
Rhonda G says
October 13, 2015 at 7:39 PMNo forest near me not even a park
Heather! says
October 13, 2015 at 7:32 PMThere’s a state park less than a mile from our house.
Nicole Carter (Weasley) says
October 13, 2015 at 6:55 PMWe really don’t have forests but we have tons of trees! I have taken my kids to visit forests before.
Sandra Watts says
October 13, 2015 at 5:39 PMWe have forests on all sides of us because we live in a rural area. I used to go in the forest all time.
Katherine Oliveira says
October 13, 2015 at 5:33 PMWe have trails behind or house that we love to explore!
Ashley Schein says
October 13, 2015 at 5:27 PMWe don’t have a forest where we live now but I have taken my daughter to one where we used to live.
Misti says
October 13, 2015 at 5:24 PMWe don’t have any forests close, but when we go close to one, we walk through them.
Marie yoon says
October 13, 2015 at 4:59 PMa cross trail but theirs been too many bears so i stay home
Debbie Loy says
October 13, 2015 at 4:33 PMNo forest but we live on 80 acres or which 40 acres is timber so they learn from that.
lei says
October 13, 2015 at 4:32 PMthere are mountains around here and we go hiking as much as possible. beautiful fall weather
Charlene S. says
October 13, 2015 at 4:21 PMNothing close by, but we do go camping in the mountains once a year & my family loves it 🙂
Faythe M.A says
October 13, 2015 at 4:18 PMwe hve several small parks near by & the Kettle Moraine national forest. it is beautiful, especially driving through during fall when the leaves are changing.
Tania Brock says
October 13, 2015 at 4:00 PMI live right beside the community college in our small town- the only thing – for sure – is that you can see many churches, McDonalds and a small post office… I do have woods around my home- not a lot – but enough that myself along with my 2 teens– go hiking in them and even camped out once.
Emily says
October 13, 2015 at 3:47 PMWe don’t have a forest nearby. We don’t have kids yet, but I’d love to take them on a short hike.
T says
October 13, 2015 at 3:36 PMNo and no. City dweller.
Brenda says
October 13, 2015 at 3:21 PMNo, we don’t have a forest anywhere near us. We just have to enjoy them when we go on vacation.
Ilona says
October 13, 2015 at 3:05 PMThere is a local forrest owned by the town. I took my kids there when they were little – for Easter egg hunts.
amanda hardesty says
October 13, 2015 at 2:58 PMWe do not have a forest near us but we go to Hocking Hills/Wayne National Forest every summer
Jenee says
October 13, 2015 at 2:52 PMNo forest near us, we live in a pretty urban area. But one city over, where I grew up, there are lots of trees and parks, so we try to go regularly.
Gail Williams says
October 13, 2015 at 2:42 PMHere in MN we are surrounded by lakes and trees. Foresta are more up north from where we are and we go every year in the summer to spend time with family there.
DANIELLE WILLIAMS says
October 13, 2015 at 2:33 PMno we live in phoenix, az no forests around here!
Suzanne Esaine says
October 13, 2015 at 2:11 PMEvery year I would take my kids to the camping parks for a week to enjoy nature. It is always relaxing to get back to nature and away from all the hustle of the technological life.
courtney hennagir says
October 13, 2015 at 2:04 PMHere in Seattle we are surrounded by forest! We love to take long walks and check out all the different trees and plants.My kids love to discover new bugs!
Melinda Stephens says
October 13, 2015 at 2:02 PMWe have one about 30 minutes away. I’ve taken my son a couple of times, but I don’t think he will really appreciate it until he is a bit older.
Sara Grivas says
October 13, 2015 at 1:57 PMWe don’t really have any forests, but I often take them to the park and do searches for anything we can find. I really do wish we were closer to larger forests.
Jasmine P says
October 13, 2015 at 9:46 AMNot far from us there is a forest with a trail; we take our dogs for walks all the time. It’s so nice and relaxing!
Lisa F. says
October 12, 2015 at 8:59 PMI don’t have a forest near me, but there are several parks with trees. Getting back to nature is always a good thing! 🙂
Penni says
October 12, 2015 at 7:55 PMWe have no real forests nearby, but we love to go hiking through the wooded areas that are part of our local mountains and canyons. It’s great exercise and a good learning experience, for kids and adults alike!
laurie murley says
October 12, 2015 at 7:31 PMwe have forest around our farm and they love going their and see whats in the woods
Cheryl Bielich says
October 12, 2015 at 6:58 PMWe live with green all around. Used to live in California for many years an loved the beach. Love the sound of the surf.
Stephanie says
October 12, 2015 at 9:47 AMEven though we live in the city, we do take family walks in nearby forest-like parks for exercise and to clear our minds with nature!
PAM O says
October 12, 2015 at 9:32 AMWe live near Big Bear in California, we have been exploring on the San Bernardino National Forest.
Penny McPherson says
October 11, 2015 at 5:29 PMNo woods here
Amber Woodgeard says
October 11, 2015 at 5:25 PMWe live in the country. Our child get lots of time outside. They love it! There’s a small forest nearby that I like taking them often.
Penny says
October 11, 2015 at 5:19 PMNo, we have no forest around where we live.
Laura says
October 11, 2015 at 4:25 PMWe unfortunately live in a suburb of a very large city, so we do not have any forests near our neighborhood.
Jan says
October 10, 2015 at 5:09 PMI spent hours in the woods when I was a kid. I delight in sharing walks with my children in local parks!
Sheila Torres says
October 10, 2015 at 6:42 AMI live in southwest Florida so we have no forests here. My grandchildren are in North Carolina and have the beautiful Piscah National Park to visit. If I won I would use the Amazon card to start Christmas shopping for my grandchildren.
Jennifer Heintz says
October 9, 2015 at 6:11 AMWe don’t exactly live by a forest, but we back up into a woods. My grandkiids love exploring it
Lauren Jarmel says
October 8, 2015 at 10:26 PMThere are some woods behind my house, but I haven’t explored them.
Sarah Oswald says
October 8, 2015 at 8:11 PMWe have 2 State parks real close to us and I have woods behind our house and my kids love hiking and finding all kinds of interesting and gross and weird things. Some we have brought home and others we leave there and move on.
Birdie Skolfield says
October 8, 2015 at 6:08 PMNo we live in So Cal which is a variable desert. My kids aren’t interested in trees were beach people
SherrieW says
October 11, 2015 at 7:45 AMHa ha, same here, living in SoCal desert. Before that we lived in the middle east for a decade(desert again) so I don’t think my kids have ever seen a forest. When I was younger and lived in Northern California, we did visit the forests way up north with the big Redwoods. I would love to take my kids to see those someday.
Myrna Kasick says
October 8, 2015 at 2:49 PMNo, we do not live near the forest.
Chad VanKeuren says
October 8, 2015 at 2:23 PMYes we do and kids love to go exploring the wood
Christine says
October 8, 2015 at 12:15 PMNo forest close to my home!
Stephanie Grey says
October 8, 2015 at 11:56 AMWe don’t have a forest but we have a wooded area! The kids absolutely love going exploring in it! From the critters to the sticks !
Danielle R says
October 7, 2015 at 6:38 PMWe have a forest preserve about a mile away, but the bus have been so bad this summer we haven’t gone there just yet. Now that fall is near we have to go check it out.
Trista De Leon says
October 7, 2015 at 7:17 AMNo, we don’t have a forest near us.. We live in California in a sub-division.
Melanie says
October 6, 2015 at 10:37 PMNot that I know of.
Melia Small says
October 6, 2015 at 6:22 PMIt is about an hours drive. We take the kids when we can.
Leslie Burns says
October 5, 2015 at 8:30 AMWe did take my stepson to Snoqualmie Falls last summer. Since I live near Seattle, we have a lot of local forests and parks all over the city.
Margot C says
October 4, 2015 at 11:20 PMWe are right at the foot of the mountains. We go there several times a year and we can see them every day.
tara pittman says
October 4, 2015 at 8:04 PMWe have mountains that are like a forest
tara pittman says
October 4, 2015 at 8:04 PMWe have mountains that are like a forest
Tracy Robertson says
October 4, 2015 at 1:54 PMI live in an overcrowded area, so no forest.
Nikki Godwin says
October 4, 2015 at 12:20 PMWe don’t have any near us, which is sad. I see people visiting national parks/forests all the time via Instagram or FB, and I wish there were some closer.
Diana Smith Hill says
October 4, 2015 at 12:04 PMNo forest near me, sadly in the city.
cindy calzone says
October 4, 2015 at 11:14 AMI live by a big National Forest/State Park. I love it! We try to visit at least a few times a year.
Mhar Sefcik says
October 4, 2015 at 11:12 AMWe don’t have a forest nearby but we go to Oklahoma once in while, Broken Bow OK. We love it there.
Lauryn R says
October 4, 2015 at 10:06 AMWe don’t have a forest close by where we currently live. But we used to live in California right by the Redwood Forest, and that was definitely a magnificent forest to see with the kids.
Tanya devenney says
October 4, 2015 at 8:45 AMNo, unfortunately we dont have any kind if forest or country are near us, but we do go to the park sometimes.
Sandra Dee Murphy says
October 3, 2015 at 8:22 PMNo…but we go to the park. ..a lot! 🙂
MARTHAia says
October 3, 2015 at 8:14 PMWe have trees and nature all around,,,visiting forests are always a nearby walk & adventure..So nice to be close too.
Maggie Malia says
October 3, 2015 at 5:40 PMI don’t have a forest near me we have park.
Linda O'Brien says
October 3, 2015 at 4:37 PMI grew up with undeveloped land & woods nearby and as kids we spent hours playing and learning about nature, such a great way to spend time. Living in the city now, have to drive quite a distance to find any undeveloped public areas to explore.
Betsy Rubendall Barnes says
October 3, 2015 at 2:27 PMWe are surrounded by lots of forest, living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. When my son was growing up, all he had to do was walk out the front door and the beautiful forest was there. We spent every weekend, taking nature hikes or hiking along the river. 🙂
sheila ressel says
October 3, 2015 at 2:26 PMWe don’t really have any forests near us. We’re surrounded by the gulf of mexico!
ken ohl says
October 3, 2015 at 3:29 AMWe don’t have a forest near us but this is a great idea I did not think of . thankyou, ken
Mary Czerczyk says
October 2, 2015 at 8:21 PMWe have a park nearby with a forest. i use to take my grandchildren there when they were little. They loved it.
Susan Fine says
October 2, 2015 at 5:02 PMWe have forests all around us. I live in the Pacific Northwest and every year we go camping in national parks that are close by. 🙂
Jake Payne says
October 2, 2015 at 2:28 PMWe have a forest a few blocks away from our apartment that runs most of the way through our town. It even has a walking/biking trail in it. We have no children to share it with though.
Jennifer M says
October 2, 2015 at 10:57 AMYes, we live near a forest and love to go on walks there.
Sarah Vegetabile says
October 2, 2015 at 8:20 AMWe live in the city for now. But are planning a camping trip with kids next spring in WV.
Tricia Goss says
October 2, 2015 at 7:30 AMWe have some heavily-treed areas that my grandkids and I enjoy exploring.
Jennifer D says
October 2, 2015 at 6:54 AMNo forests around, but many Metro Parks. We love nature hiking!
SueSueper says
October 2, 2015 at 4:46 AMThere is a forest in my neighborhood. I especially like to take the kids there in the winter.
Annette Roberts says
October 1, 2015 at 11:27 PMWe are campers and geocachers…we have been to many forests with our three boys!
June Ebinger says
October 1, 2015 at 11:26 PMI LIVE IN THE CITY. THERE ISN’T ANY FORESTS NEARBY.
Heather Garcia says
October 1, 2015 at 11:15 PMNo my girls have never been to a forest. That makes me sad now that I think about it.
Tyra Young says
October 1, 2015 at 9:28 PMWe have a park with trees, mainly live oaks, but it is shady and has playground equipment. We live in south Texas, so there are no forests!
Amy Moyer says
October 1, 2015 at 8:44 PMWe don’t have one close enough to walk or bike to, but if we travel in our car, it’s about an hour away. We have gone to Ricketts Glen and Francis Slocum Park several times. We pack a lunch and make a day out of it. We walk nature trails and hike. We watch the waterfall and creek and if weather permitting we can fish in some locations. It’s really beautiful. Especially this time of year with the fall foliage in NEPA.
Suzanne Esaine says
October 1, 2015 at 8:21 PMLuckily there is a walking/hiking trail off the main highway where people can walk their dogs, roller blade or whatever you want. The great thing is the parking is right next to the trail, and there are benches every so many feet and Port O Potties for people like me, that are disabled, but still try to keep active. You would be amazed how much having a place to sit on a path can really help my mind set in trying to stay as independent as possible.
Seyma Shabbir says
October 1, 2015 at 7:55 PMWe have state parks but have not really gone to them. We love the lakes here in NC!
Julie wilson says
October 1, 2015 at 7:54 PMWe do and went on a hike a month ago to a waterfall the kids loved it
Vicky Watkins says
October 1, 2015 at 7:27 PMI live in a very rural area. We have 6 acres so the wooded area is part of our yard
Daniel M says
October 1, 2015 at 7:26 PMwe have some woods nearby, not really a forest, but can’t go there anymore because of the druggies
jennifer peters says
October 1, 2015 at 7:22 PMWe live in a suburb outside of Atlanta. So we have some trees but I wouldn’t call them a forest. We recently got back from a vacation in Blue Ridge. We spent a week in a cabin in the forest. Hiked in the forest. Had an amazing time in the forest
Elizabeth H. says
October 1, 2015 at 7:12 PMWe do not have a forest nearby, just a little wooded area. Love to take the kids on nature walks!
Mabel Johnson says
October 1, 2015 at 6:22 PMYellowstone National Park
Kristen says
October 1, 2015 at 11:26 AMYes, we have forest nearby and we love to go walking in them.
Debbie Welchert says
October 1, 2015 at 11:10 AMWe have one forest here and our children’s school takes them on field trips there every year. They really enjoy it.
Jodi Hunter says
October 1, 2015 at 9:36 AMWe live in the woods, so we discover all sorts of things right outside the back door.
Mary Beth says
October 1, 2015 at 7:59 AMWe thankfully have woods in our backyard and a state park nearby. We go out on hikes as often as we can. We all love being outdoors and I can tell that the kids love exploring new trails and streams.
Mickie Hinds says
October 1, 2015 at 6:36 AMI live in rural Indiana.. We are surrounded by corn fields and woods..
Angela W says
October 1, 2015 at 6:23 AMWe love near the mountains and our backyard consist of mostly woods! We love the outdoors!
Deborah D says
October 1, 2015 at 2:20 AMI live in the country and there is woods all around us. We go for a walk in the woods as often as we can.
Krystal Waters says
September 30, 2015 at 11:22 PMNo we don’t have any forest near us but we do have a nature trail and center that my husband and kids went to when they were younger.
Leslie Fantauzzi says
September 30, 2015 at 8:51 PMI live in Alaska, so there are forests everywhere. My children are grown and gone, they did not grow up here, so I cannot say what they would have done. But, if I had children now, I would take them into the forest now to learn the different kinds of trees and leaves together.
Kristen Kipping says
September 30, 2015 at 8:20 PMI love this, we trying I get our kids out more as we realize how much electronic have taken over. So glad this is out there!