At namuk, we celebrate being outdoors – and people who embrace this philosophy. On this occasion, we’d like to introduce you to kindwaldundwiese, a family for whom crafting, nature, mindfulness and adventure are part of everyday life. Together, we’re launching a new DIY series to dive into creative projects as well as moments that help people to connect.
The heart and soul behind this nature-loving crew is Gabrielle Beck (48), joined by her husband, Urs (53), and their five young explorers: Elin (14), Timo (13), Julie (9), Janna (9), and Andri (4). Their basecamp? The village of Nussbaumen in the canton Aargau – where one’s garden opens directly onto a wonderland of meadows, forests, and fields. “Our family life is wonderfully colorful – a big family with traditional role allocations. Urs works full-time and I’m at home with the children. I’m so lucky to be able to actively shape their daily lives.”
Before becoming a full-time adventure guide for her children, Gabrielle was a teacher and geographer. Now her trusty tools are a craft knife, basket, and camera to document their journey. Initially, her Instagram profile was only intended to record how quickly the children were growing up. But what started as a visual diary in 2017 gradually evolved into a treasure trove of ideas – primarily inspired by nature. “When you're roaming the outdoors with children, you can’t help but to collect, combine, and create. Nature is so inspiring – it’s like a huge craft store with endless supplies and no closing time.”
A Year of Togetherness in New Zealand
One chapter stands out in their life as a family – the year they spent exploring New Zealand. This wasn’t just a vacation, but a deliberate escape from Switzerland’s rigidly structured routine in order to just be together as a family. “We made a conscious decision to give our children an additional year of childhood freedom. This precious and defining phase passes in the blink of an eye. As a family, we chose to give ourselves more time together for discovering and growing.” Their young explorers attended a Rudolf Steiner school nestled beside the magnificent Abel Tasman National Park in Motueka. “It was amazing! Instead of endless exams and homework, they experienced the joy of art and music in outdoor classrooms, garden-to-table cooking, wilderness exploration, and learning through creating. Education without pressure – and it works beautifully!”
Gabrielle speaks of this time with fondness and gratitude. “Perhaps our New Zealand adventure was our peace treaty with that deep longing for a more child-centered lifestyle. That year gifted our children stronger roots to ground them and bigger wings to help them soar.” Back on Swiss soil, their daily routine is more structured again, but the memory of their Kiwi adventures lives on in how they approach life. “I deliberately plan time together outdoors. I’ve discovered that we thrive as a family when we’re breathing fresh air, and I’m a more present mother when we’re outside too. It’s amazing how quickly little arguments dissolve as soon as we step out of the door. And the most beautiful thing about it? Kids don’t need much – they just need time, space, and nature’s endless playground.”
“Being Outdoors Brings Peace of Mind”
For Gabrielle, outdoor adventures aren’t just for recreational purposes – they’re essential to her family’s wellbeing: “Enjoying time together, creating memories, and embarking on adventures – that’s what being outdoors means to us. I firmly believe that for most people, their fondest childhood memories took place outside.” And being outdoors has tangible effects, she believes: “It provides peace of mind. Everyone is more peaceful and in a better mood – not always right from the start, sometimes it takes a bit of time. But the togetherness works better and is more harmoniously. You almost always come home in a better mood than when you left!”
Crafting: Not Just a Hobby, but a Way of Grasping the World
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands – especially outdoors. I’ve done a lot of carving, worked with clay, polished soapstone, built huts, mixed natural dyes and perfumes, and experimented with ‘wild’ recipes. Traditional indoor crafting or needlework wasn’t really my thing,” she says. For Gabrielle, crafting with nature’s treasures isn’t merely a pastime but a gateway to truly understanding the world around us – quite literally “grasping” it with all our senses. “I hope that through these hands-on experiences, our children develop a deep appreciation for nature’s intricate systems. When tiny hands work with pine cones, leaves, and stones – turning them into little masterpieces – children naturally learn how everything connects. And we often create projects with purpose: drinking troughs for insects, bird feeders, seed bombs…”
The spark for their DIY projects usually ignites spontaneously during outdoor explorations. “Nature constantly inspires you,” Gabrielle says. She particularly treasures crafting projects that eventually return to the earth and avoid artificial materials. “That’s what makes these creations so special to us – they can be left outside to weather and age, gradually becoming part of nature’s cycle again.”
The family’s crafting philosophy extends beyond the finished projects. “Through these simple creative moments, I believe our children learn that happiness doesn’t require expensive or extraordinary toys.” Nature is always offering something to be discovered! The joy multiplies when the whole family collaborates on creating something together. Even moments of boredom are valuable teachers – and need to be endured at times as well. “I’m convinced that when creativity has room to roam freely without boundaries, it blossoms in the most extraordinary ways.”
And for those days when you might not feel like going outside? “While the journey itself is usually the reward, there are days and temperatures when it takes more effort to muster up the motivation to go outside. That’s when clear ideas help – setting small goals to look forward to and achieve. Deep down, we all know from countless magical days spent in nature that something wonderful always awaits us outside.”
Nature’s Classroom: Daily Expeditions and Discoveries
For Gabrielle’s family, nature isn’t just experienced on the weekends – it’s woven into their daily routine: “Our youngest explorer and I venture outdoors every single day; usually into the forest. I want to enable the children to experience the seasons more intensely. We explore nature together, define phenomena, and look for explanations. We’re perpetual collectors – gathering edible forest treats for cooking and baking, or nature’s art supplies for our next creation. Above all, we’re nurturing in our children a profound love for everything that lives. We encourage them to explore the world with open eyes, to ask questions, and to always be curious. This naturally guides us toward living more lightly on the earth. This naturally leads to a more sustainable lifestyle.”
Gabrielle is saddened by how structured her older children’s lives have become. Unscheduled free time has become so rare. There are days when – apart from the walk to school and during breaks – they barely make it outdoors. “As a mom, I fiercely protect our outdoor family time by deliberately scheduling it in our calendar. We take full advantage of ‘joker days’ and pass on many other things.”
Creating Inspiration for Natural DIY Projects with namuk
And what magical inspiration can you expect from this collaboration between kindwaldundwiese and namuk? “We’ll be sharing simple yet beautiful ideas that families can recreate together. Projects that strengthen bonds while celebrating the outdoors. Because in our experience, it’s often the little things that hold true magic.”
The Connection Between kindwaldundwiese and namuk
Gabrielle’s passion for the outdoors and simplicity aligns with namuk’s philosophy: “Every family I know struggles with screen time, internet, and social media. Helping children fall in love with nature’s wonders and motivating them to choose outdoor adventures has never been more crucial. I love that namuk celebrates this vibrant lifestyle which perfectly mirrors what matters most to me.”
The young explorers in Gabrielle’s family practically live in their namuk gear. “Unless it’s having its own adventure in the washing machine,” she adds with a laugh. Their Merino shirts and Neo jackets are their favorites. But the values behind the clothing matter just as much as the comfort. “I support namuk’s commitment to sustainability and creating gear that lasts through countless adventures. I wholeheartedly believe in this approach and love sharing it with other families. For the sake of our environment.”
Meet the creative crafting family – and shop their favorite looks:
