I’m so glad you found me. I’ve practiced the Nordic art of friluftsliv, or open-air life, my entire life and advocated for connecting children with nature for well over a decade. This site is a digital hub of my experience, a place where you will find inspiration, support and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to outdoor play and nature connection. Living an open-air life keeps me and my family healthy, happy and deeply attached to the Earth that sustains us. Whether you’re looking to foster a nature-based family culture or just want advice on how to dress your baby for winter, I’m here to help.
Sincerely,
Linda
Open-air life, or friluftsliv as it’s called in Scandinavia, is a philosophical lifestyle that revolves around finding joy in nature without pressure to achieve or compete. Just like there is slow food, slow parenting, and slow entertainment, friluftsliv is a form of slow nature. It is about embracing simplicity, resisting consumerism, and living in a way that is sustainable to both ourselves and the planet. It is the kind of life that transcends generations and connects us deeply with the land that sustains us. And it has the power to heal. Millions of people in the Nordic countries practice friluftsliv and pass the custom down to their children as a way to build a healthy family culture. Are you ready to join them?
A few years ago, I got talking to a prominent researcher at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana about the Scandinavian attitude to outdoor play and nature connection. I told her about our commitment to dressing kids for the weather and getting them outside every day, as well as our obsession...
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In my native country of Sweden, people live by the old Scandinavian saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” and dressing for the weather is akin to a national sport. This is especially true when it comes to children, who are expected and encouraged to play...
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As long as I can remember, my girls have climbed trees. Skinny trees, big trees, crooked trees, straight trees, old trees, young trees, pine trees, deciduous trees… They’ve climbed trees in snow suits in the winter and barefoot in the summer. On more than one occasion, they’ve climbed trees wearing...
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Every spring, as nature awakes and the migratory birds return from their winter locales, the old Swedish custom of gökotta holds that you should get up before dawn, pack a picnic and go outside to enjoy the birdsong. Gökotta, pronounced “yuh-KOT-tuh”, directly translates to “cuckoo dawn” in English and is
If I say ‘picnic’, chances are you come to think of sitting in the grass in a park on a warm, sun-kissed day. But a winter picnic can be just as much fun, with the crisp air and snow-covered landscape creating a unique backdrop for your outing. Even if you
We all know that nature is good for our physical and mental health and well-being – but creating a daily nature habit can be easier said than done. Poor weather, lack of time and insufficient access to good green spaces are a few of the obstacles people often mention
From the pleasures of foraging for wild berries and birding to how to stay warm and cozy outside in the middle of winter, this charmingly illustrated, inspirational guide will show you how to channel the power-of-nature to improve your physical and mental health, and connect with your family, your community and Mother Nature.
Bringing Up Bébé meets Last Child in the Woods in this “fascinating exploration of the importance of the outdoors to childhood development” (Kirkus Reviews) from a Swedish-American mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children.
Is your book club planning to read my books There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather or The Open-Air Life? I can provide you with study questions and even join your discussion remotely. Just drop me an e-mail to connect – I love hearing from my readers!
Does your organization need a speaker who can an engage an audience on the topic of outdoor play and connecting children and adults with nature? I’m a twice published author with a wealth of knowledge and speaking experience from a range of workshops, conferences and community events. Most of my presentations are done remotely via video link, but I do sometimes travel for bigger events.
These are a few of the topics that I offer:
I can also customize a presentation for your audience.
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