Think Outside Boxes: Getting Families Together Outdoors

As a family living off the grid in a remote and beautiful environment, spending time outdoors is an important part of our family culture. And as a homeschooling family, we LOVE subscription boxes! So when the kind folks over at THiNK OUTSIDE BOXES  sent over a couple of their monthly outdoor kids’ subscription boxes to try out, we were thrilled. And once we opened the Initiation Box, we were flat out impressed.

(Psst…use the coupon code DAD15 to save $15.00 off any subscription by June 21. Or use the promo code JUNE10 to save $10 off subscriptions through June 30)

As a homeschooling and homesteading mom, I immediately began to think of how to use these outdoor activities boxes. I was brainstorming all the awesome science and forest schooling lessons, survival skills, wilderness survival kit additions, nature journaling, and even Language Arts Lessons we could try – and that was based on the first month’s box.

UPDATE: I now refer to the THiNK OUTSiDE for Homeschool Page to help guide our activities. They even have monthly lesson plans.

Learn a little more about this monthly subscription box that encourages families to get outside.

This post contains affiliate links.

Why We Love THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES

THiNK OUTSIDE BOXES (billed as The Young Outdoor Adventurers Box)  is a monthly subscription service suitable for kids aged 7+. Each month a new themed box arrives, with items, activities, and lessons to encourage kids to get off the couch, away from the screen, and to get outdoors exploring nature.

Sadly, recent research has shown screen time for kids increasing, with a corresponding decrease in time spent outdoors. At the same time,  a recent Danish study found that children who spend more time outdoors are happier. Reason enough for parents and kids to head outside!

Each THiNK OUTSiDE BOX contains useful gear suitable for kids’ to work with. The activities provided are fun, educational, and a good way to encourage families outdoors.

We like these boxes because they suit families living in a wide range of environments. Families living in cities, suburbs, country or elsewhere can use THiNK OUTSIDE BOXES to enjoy hikes in a park, build confidence in an outdoor environment, or learn a new skill (geocaching, anyone?)

Our family lives in a stunning but pretty remote wilderness area. It’s important to us that our children learn outdoor survival skills from a young age, and these boxes help us to build out our homeschool life skills lessons.

Related: How to Use Foraging to Teach Your Children

What We Got in our Think Outside Boxes Initiation Box

Regardless of when during the year you start your subscription box, the first box you’ll receive is what’s known as the Initiation Box. Although the contents may vary, our outdoor gear included:

• backpack in our choice of blue, orange or magenta (we got two boxes, one orange and one magenta knapsack)
• personal information card and case
• paracord and ring
• heat-activated colour-changing pencil
• challenge card
• “Take a Hike” 20-page activity guide book including an explanation of this month’s gear
• Morse Code Postcard

How to Use THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES as a Family

These boxes offer families so many ways to get kids interested in hands-on, outdoor activities. Start with the challenge card.

Each month, you’ll find a card in your box labeled “I challenge you.” Families with younger kids may prefer to use these cards to complete a challenge together. Older kids might want to compete against their parents (or grandparent) to see who can complete the challenge first.

The guide book in each box offers additional activities to complete together. For example, the ‘Take a Hike’ guide in the Initiation box includes several steps for families to follow to prep their packs for outdoor activity. Read up on geocaching, download a geocaching app, then complete the family challenge suggested in the middle of the guide.

Or study the Morse Code postcard together. Then write a message in Morse Code using sticks and pebbles for your family members to decipher. We love doing arts and crafts, and the girls’ loved making keychains with the paracord and ring (directions in the Guide Book).

Living in a city or suburb? Pack your pack and hit the trails in your closest park. Talk to your kids about preparing for adventures, hiking and trail etiquette, how to avoid littering, the importance of carrying water, sunscreen, a First Aid Kit, and healthy snacks – even if you’re getting outdoors within the city limits.

Related: DIY Repair Box For Kids

Get Your Own Kids Subscription Box

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES arrive each month but always start with the intro box. They make a great gift (grandparents, aunts, and uncles, take note). We have an exclusive coupon code just for our readers that will even get you your first box at $24.95 USD when you subscribe.

Check out the THiNK OUTSiDE BOXESshop and use the coupon code DAD15 between June 1 and 21 for $15.00 off any subscription. Or use the promo code JUNE10 for $10.00 off any subscription from June 1 through June 30, 2020.

LIKE THIS POST? SAVE IT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR LATER!