Outside Time - Morning, Afternoon or Both?

[Lux]

I'm wondering what experienced providers have found is better- - morning or afternoon outdoor time?

or a bit of both?

If I do it in the morning seems they might sleep better at nap?

[kendallina]

We go out for almost an hour in the morning and often go out for 30-60 minutes in the afternoon.

[Unregistered]

Depending on the weather and if other activities are going on, we usually take ours out in the morning and the evening

[Bluemoon5]

We do morning and afternoon, at least half an hour each, weather permitting.

[storybookending]

We are typically an afternoon only group. We go out after afternoon snack and weather permitting stay outside until pick up. Some mornings we’ll go to the park or on a walk but afternoon works best for my current group.

[e.j.]

We usually go out in the late morning. The kids do seem to sleep better at nap time when we go out vs. when the weather keeps us inside. If there's time in the afternoon, we go out then, too, until parents start to arrive for pick up.

[Josiegirl]

We try to get outside at least 2x a day; lately it's been from 9:00-9:30, then 11:00-11:30(been eating lunch really early), then last time from 3:15-4:00. We won't be doing that when snow flies for good, though.
It's been sooo cold and windy lately, nobody wants to stay out for very long. Course it'd be easier if these little ones would keep their hats/mittens on.

[DaveA]

If we can do twice a day it's so much better. Doesn't have to be for long periods of time. Just enough to burn off some energy and soak up some sun.

If I had to choose one I would say afternoon.

[Rockgirl]

It depends on the season. In the summer, we spend the entire morning outside, then stay in for the afternoon, since it’s so hot. Right now, we’re going out late morning and for an hour or more after nap. During winter, we only go out in the afternoon, unless we’re having a warmer morning.

[rosieteddy]

Getting outside 2x aday saved my sanity.Ido believe it helped them nap better.Iwas lucky to be able to keep the stroller on the inside porch.Ihad their coat hooks there as well.Iwould load up the stroller any one under 2 rode .The others held on we would start outside at 945 go around the block then into the yard.We stayed out until 1145 Ioften fed infants while other kids played.Then we would go back to stroller and push it around and back inside.Weather permitting we started back out at 4pm often pickup from stroller in driveway.Studies have proven outdoor time is great for children.

[Snowmom]

I do an earlier lunch time and we head out after that. Then if it's a nice afternoon, we will go out on the front porch and color/bubbles/read for pick up.

[Cat Herder]

In spring: After breakfast, after lunch then after nap. Temps are perfect for longer stays and picnic meals.

In summer: After breakfast then after lunch. Afternoons often are too hot. Mosquitoes and snakes are very active then as well.

In fall: After breakfast, after lunch then after nap. Again, temps are perfect for longer stays and picnic meals.

In winter: After lunch then after nap. Winters are wet and miserable here from freezing rain and mist. Everything is dryer and a bit warmer most afternoons.

[LittleExplorers]

We do both, sometimes before and after morning nap and in the afternoon. We do a daily nature walk as well. When weather permits, I sometimes use a pack and play outside for morning nap while the bigger kids play.

[Blackcat31]

We go outside whenever we can. Weather permitting.
It depends on the weather but any time we can be outside, we are.

[Ariana]

I say both of you can swing it but afternoon is great if you live in a climate where it’s warmer in the afternoon and morning in summer when afternoons get hotter.

I have a bunch of slow eaters so we are going outside for longer in the morning and staying in during the afternoon. Not enough time between snack and pickup