There are many classic books that were part of our lives growing up that maybe gave us some creative impetus to step outdoors, but for our children, the message is creeping into unlikely places.  First of all, Dora the Explorer explores with a talking map and her face can be seen on underwear and diapers.

Now, here is a sneak peak at some of the latest products that try to attract us nature loving families:

• American Girl ‘s Girl of the Year is Lanie. She’s an energetic girl who discovers the world in her own backyard.  She is sponsored by Be Out There from the National Wildlife Federation.

• Crayola launched  a new initiative with  Dan O’Brien’s record breaking achievement (Olympic gold medal decathlete Dan O’Brien broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest game of hopscotch with a time of 1:21.63.).  He helped kick off Crayola’s nationwide wellness campaign called the Crayola “Outdoor Challenge,” an initiative aimed at inspiring families to spend more time outside exercising their bodies and minds.  As part of the campaign, Crayola is asking families to pledge time each day to outdoor creative play this summer. The national goal is to reach one million hours of pledged outdoor play time for the campaign.  Running now through the end of the summer, parents can to take the pledge at Crayola.com and find dozens of outdoor games and activities that keep kids’ imaginations and bodies active.

• Sesame Street featured Jason Mraz in a song about stepping outdoors:  Link to YouTube Video
  

• For a bit of humor here is a link to a Hello Kitty Chain Saw.  Now maybe your pink princess will step outside and help you cut down some lumber: 

To me it seems like all these products have one thing in common.  They are used inside!

Over nine million American children are overweight, will outdoor themed products inspire this generation of children to do more physical activities and to step outdoors?  Only time will tell.

Heidi Ahrens

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