5 Top tips for a fun family walk
5th Apr 2022
5 TOP TIPS FOR A FUN FAMILY WALK
DOES YOUR LITTLE ONE STRUGGLE WITH LONGER WALKS? HERE ARE OUR TOP FIVE THINGS THAT NEVER FAIL TO HELP US WALK FURTHER AS A FAMILY!
1- SCAVENGER HUNTS
These can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Sometimes, we challenge our children to bring us random things such as a leaf longer than their little finger or a stick in the shape of a letter and other times, we take something pre prepared. Your level of commitment can vary massively, from a hastily handwritten list as you’re walking out of the door to a printed list, to a full-on board with double sided tape to hold their findings! We used cardboard from our recycling bin and felt tipped pens for these. You can also purchase hunts online or present the scavenger hunt as a ‘nature crown’, which is very cute once finished!
2- LITTER PICKING
Whether you pack some gloves and an empty shopping bag, or head off with a proper litter picking device, your children will love the instant gratification associated with this task. Over the last few years, we have walked miles around out local neighbourhood and beyond, collecting bag for life after bag for life of litter (the bags for life were ones we found discarded in bushes and took home to clean).
3- I SPY
An oldie, but a goodie! This can keep you and your little ones going for that extra mile. Whether you’re in the middle of the countryside, hiking by the sea or walking near a road, there are always things to spy! You could try I spy using colours instead of letters if your children are younger. We also like playing the alphabet game as we walk, which can be random or themed (e.g. A-Z cars or A-Z animals).
4- WATER
If we mention water, there’s a mysterious second wind! It doesn’t matter if it’s a lake where they can feed the ducks, a stream to paddle and have duck races in, a pond to hunt for tadpoles in or a river to paddle in… it can even a muddy puddle to jump in! Water has magical powers, so pull out the map and find some near you!
5- STICKS
Sticks are the best right? We love finding walking sticks (or thumb sticks as our youngest likes to call them), even better is when they can also be used as ‘fishing rods’ (there’s that magical water again). Pooh sticks is a big favourite of ours too, so we collect sticks as we head towards the water, this keeps everyone occupied and moving forwards as they try to find the best one! If you’re not near the water, sticks are still the best, sometimes just carrying a variety of sticks makes my son’s day. We are also big fans of a stick den, whether it’s finding one made by someone else, adding to one that’s been started or creating one of our own from scratch, it’s fun for the whole family.
We hope you find these ideas useful! Don’t forget to grab your outdoor wear and accessories before you head off on your adventures.