The Power of Outdoor Play

In one of the most powerful episodes of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to date, Ginny Yurich welcomes back Angela Hanscom—pediatric occupational therapist, author of Balanced and Barefoot, and founder of TimberNook—for her fifth and most stirring conversation yet. Angela unpacks the developmental consequences of our modern restrictions on movement—from limited recess to screen-heavy lifestyles—and why so many kids today are falling out of chairs, struggling with emotional regulation, and losing their sense of joy.

This episode is a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers. Hanscom explains why simple, vigorous play—rolling, spinning, climbing, swinging—is not optional, but essential for neurological development, sensory integration, and future learning. With clarity, evidence, and compassion, she makes the case that three (or more!) hours of outdoor movement daily isn’t just ideal—it’s developmental oxygen. If you’ve ever wondered how to give your kids a thriving summer and a better future, start here.

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