Posted by Louise Carter
on June 02, 2026
Have you ever heard of the Swedish word, friluftsliv?
Pronounced roughly "free-loofts-liv", it's a Swedish and Nordic philosophy that translates to "open-air living" or "life in the fresh air". But like many Scandinavian concepts, the true meaning goes much deeper than a direct translation.
At its heart, friluftsliv is the belief that spending time outdoors is not something reserved for weekends, holidays or special occasions. Instead, it is simply a natural and important part of everyday life.
It's about embracing fresh air, nature and the changing seasons for enjoyment, wellbeing and connection, whatever the weather.
A Way of Life, Not an Activity
In many parts of the world, being outdoors is often treated as an activity. We plan hikes, organise picnics or schedule trips to the park.
In Sweden, spending time outside is often woven into everyday routines.
It might look like:
- Taking a daily walk around the neighbourhood
- Enjoying a coffee in the sunshine
- Walking children to preschool
- Exploring local parks and forests
- Eating lunch outdoors
- Letting babies nap in their prams outside
These moments aren't necessarily considered special. They're simply part of daily life.
The philosophy encourages people to slow down, appreciate nature and make time for fresh air throughout the year.
Why Scandinavians Embrace the Outdoors Year-Round
One of the most famous Scandinavian sayings is:
"There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
Rather than avoiding the outdoors when temperatures drop, many Nordic families simply dress appropriately and continue enjoying nature.
Children play outside in winter. Families take walks in the rain. Babies nap outdoors even on chilly days when dressed safely and comfortably.
The focus is on adapting to the weather rather than staying indoors because of it.
This mindset helps children develop a strong connection to nature from an early age and encourages families to enjoy the benefits of outdoor living throughout the year.
The Benefits of Friluftsliv
While friluftsliv is a cultural philosophy rather than a scientific practice, spending time outdoors has been associated with many benefits.
Many parents find that regular time outside can:
- Support overall wellbeing
- Encourage movement and physical activity
- Reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm
- Help children explore and learn through nature
- Create opportunities for family connection
- Promote healthy daily routines
For babies, simple outdoor experiences such as walks, fresh air and time spent in nature can become an enjoyable part of everyday family life.
How Friluftsliv Inspires baby luno
At baby luno, our Nordic roots are a huge part of who we are.
Our founder, Louise, grew up in Sweden where friluftsliv was simply a normal part of life. Time outdoors wasn't something that needed planning, it was part of everyday routines, regardless of the season. Louise used to bike with her kids to daycare, with one on the back of her bike and the other riding next to her. Her 3-year old son's daycare was just on a bus that rode around to different outdoor activities every day. They would go eat lunch on tree-trunks, go ice-skating during recess and all be dressed in warm clothes.
That philosophy continues to inspire our products today.
We believe families should feel confident getting outside and enjoying fresh air with their little ones, whether it's a quick walk around the block, a trip to the playground or a peaceful pram nap.
Our Nordic Footmuffs were designed with this lifestyle in mind, helping babies stay warm, comfortable and cosy while families enjoy the outdoors through the cooler months.
Bringing Friluftsliv Into Your Own Family Life
The beauty of friluftsliv is that it doesn't require living in Sweden or spending hours in the wilderness.
You can embrace it through simple everyday moments:
- Taking your morning coffee outside.
- Walking instead of driving when possible.
- Spending time at a local park.
- Letting your baby enjoy fresh air during a pram walk.
- Exploring nature with your children, no matter the season.
For many parents, the biggest barrier to getting outside during the colder months is simply keeping little ones warm and comfortable. It's often easier to stay indoors than to layer up a baby and head out the door.
That's one of the reasons we created our Nordic Footmuffs.
Inspired by Scandinavian parenting and designed for Australian winters, our footmuffs help keep babies cosy and protected from the cold while out in the pram. Instead of worrying about blankets slipping off or constantly adjusting layers, parents can focus on enjoying fresh air and spending time outdoors with their little one.
Because friluftsliv isn't about grand adventures. It's about making everyday outdoor moments easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable.
After all, some of life's simplest moments are often the most memorable.
