1KHO 427: There is So Little Time For Kids to Be Kids | Libbie Palmer, TimberNook Chiddingfold

In this inspiring episode, Ginny Yurich welcomes Libbie Palmer, the passionate founder of TimberNook Chiddingfold, to discuss the urgent need for unstructured, outdoor play in childhood. As a mother of six living on a farm in the UK, Libbie shares how she watched childhood shift over the past two decades—from one filled with free play and adventure to one increasingly dominated by schedules and structured activities. She reveals how her journey into home education and launching a TimberNook program transformed not just her children’s lives but the lives of countless others. Together, they dive into the power of mixed-age play, the importance of resisting societal pressure to over-schedule, and how giving children time and space to explore builds confidence, creativity, and resilience.

Libbie also shares how stepping into the unknown and launching TimberNook has been a deeply rewarding experience, allowing her to work alongside her children while fostering a much-needed cultural shift in her community. Through captivating stories of kids engineering pulley systems, braving the elements, and discovering the joys of true, self-directed play, she paints a hopeful picture of what childhood should look like. Whether you're a parent questioning the fast pace of modern life or someone considering launching your own outdoor play initiative, this episode is a powerful call to action—reminding us all that childhood is fleeting, and protecting play is one of the greatest gifts we can offer the next generation.

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Learn more about Libbie's TimberNook in Chiddingfold here

Follow Libbie on Social Media @timbernookchiddingfold

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Download your free 1000 Hours Outside tracker here >> https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/trackers

Find everything you need to kick off your 1000 Hours Outside Journey here >> https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/blog/allthethings

Order of copy of Ginny's newest book, Until the Streetlights Come On here >> https://amzn.to/3RXjBlN

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