The concept at the core of 1000 Hours Outside is simple - the amount of time kids spend outside ‘actually matters’. Though you may not hear this very often, a childhood flooded with nature time benefits kids (and adults) in untold ways.

The spirit behind this journey is one of encouragement and excitement - not burden. For many, being intentional about scheduling in nature time is the one and only thing needed to transform childhood.

For several years now we’ve provided a few variations of a free downloadable 1000 Hours Outside time tracker sheet that have been downloaded all across the world. This will be the FIFTH year of our global design contest!

Similar to previous, there will be three winners comprised of two adults and one child age 12 and under. In an effort to continue to support small businesses that we love, 1000 Hours Outside will be giving each of the adult winners $1000 in store credit (split into $100 increments of your choice) and the child winner $250 in store credit to any of the small businesses listed below (can be a combination of several stores). Or, select a Visa gift card option.

Small Businesses Included:

Chasing Windmills, Merino wool clothing for babies and children
Safari LTD, Toys that Teach
Mk Nordika, Quality & Stylish Scandinavian rain wear
Haba, Wooden Toys, Dolls and Games
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, America’s Top Source for Pure Heirloom Seeds
Cosmo Technologies, Smartwatches for Kids
Sarah Silks, Open-ended Toys for Imaginative Play
Juniper Grove Journals, One journal to rule them all
Splay Athletics, The Perfect Shoe for Kids
1000 Hours Outside, 1000 Hours Outside official merchandise
Amazon Gift Card - denomination of your choice

Click Here to Submit Your Entry

Here’s the Nitty Gritty:

*Submissions are due by November 1st, 2024 at midnight EST.

*One entry per person is allowed. Each entry must have one tracking sheet containing 1000 spaces as well as a coordinating tracking sheet with 100 spaces, for the “First 100”. All tracking sheets must be submitted via PDF, 8.5” x 11” through this Google Form.

*Designs must include SVG file variant if possible.

*Winning trackers become the sole property of 1000 Hours Outside. All tracker designs, winning or not, may not be distributed or sold.

*Winning Trackers will be chosen by November 15th and announced shortly thereafter. You will be notified through email and will have one week to divvy up your $1000 into $100 increments of store credit from the shops listed above. Trackers will be judged anonymously and based on a point system.

Thank you so much for joining in on this mission to help increase nature play throughout childhood. We can’t wait to see your designs!

See previous winning designs below!