Set a goal and get outside!
School, work and busy schedules can make it hard to find time for nature. The Vitamin N Challenge can help – connecting you to ideas, inspiration and a community of people who are committed to spending quality time outdoors with the kids they care about. And, setting and committing to a goal will help you get more Vitamin N, whether you are working toward a day, a week, or months of more time outdoors.
The challenge was inspired by our co-founder Richard Louv’s book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life.” In it, you’ll find 500 fun, practical ideas that will help you design a challenge that fits your lifestyle and schedule – or you can share your own ideas to inspire others. We run a big Vitamin N Challenge every summer (mark your calendar), but any time is a great time to make outdoor memories that will last a lifetime.
How to take the Vitamin N Challenge:
1. Choose Your Challenge
Vitamin N Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. Yours may be a single outing or experience. It may be a lifestyle change over the course of a week or a month. Maybe your challenge means designating one day each week during the next two months as family nature days, planned and organized with your kids. Or perhaps you’d like to spend 30 minutes each day, for 30 days, participating in an outdoor activity. You could even lead your community in a habitat restoration project. Whatever you choose, get the children in your life involved in planning the challenge – and like other vitamins, don’t skip your Vitamin N!
2. Make A Plan
Take the Vitamin N Challenge Pledge, designate Vitamin N time on your calendar, print out a Challenge Tracker (see Resources below), and collect any materials you may need (snacks and water bottles are always recommended!) Talk about the challenge with your family, get excited – and have fun!
3. Share Your Experience
Tell us about your Vitamin N Challenge. How did you get your dose of Vitamin N? What worked and what didn’t? How has your family or your life changed as a result of the challenge?
There are many ways to be part of the Vitamin N community:
- SHARE your tips, photos and videos on Instagram. Use the hashtag #VitaminNChallenge and tag us @children_naturenetwork
- WRITE a short summary (750 words or less) about your challenge, include at least one awesome photo, and email it to us at info@childrenandnature.org.
- JOIN The Trailhead, our free online community to let us know how your challenge is going – and to cheer on fellow Vitamin N Challenge takers!
At Nature's Way, we believe that being outside in nature is an essential component of living your healthiest and happiest life - which is why we've harnessed...
July 10, 2023
Watch this recorded event with author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv. Richard discusses what he learned about creating a nature-filled life while writing his books and offers tips and inspiration for completing your own #VitaminNChallenge.
Inspired by our co-founder Richard Louv’s book, “Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life,” the Vitamin N Challenge is a commitment to spend more...
Accepting the Vitamin N Challenge, my family undertook a special task: once a month for a year, we organized our own Vitamin N program, which we named “People and forest — the practice of correct connection.”
July 21, 2022
Need some inspiration for the Vitamin N Challenge? Watch this recorded conversation from 2022 with author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv.
Check out seven pages of helpful tips for getting outside.
Coloring Trackers
Break out your color pencils and track your challenge!
Journaling Trackers
Capture your favorite challenge moments with these journal trackers.
Coloring Pledge Sheets
Set a goal, sign the pledge, color it and get outside!
DONATE TODAY TO BECOME A MEMBER
Help us make sure that all children live, learn and grow with nature in their daily lives.