Walks for little legs…

The half term holidays are nearly upon us (again!), and if the holidays mean a frantic week of trying to entertain your little ones with repeats of Peppa Pig and trips to expensive theme parks and adventure playgrounds, then we’ve got just the blog post for you!

If you’re a fan of heading out for a good walk, but so far haven’t been brave enough to take them family along with you, don’t worry, walking with kids needn’t be stressful! Here’s our handy guide for fun, cheap and exciting days out in the great outdoors with the whole family.

• Plan and Prepare – research before you head out and choose a walk that is suitable for the ages and ability of your family. Choose short walks with interesting things to see and do along the way, or fun places for children to play.
•  Get them involved – kids will be like an idea more if they’ve had a part in planning and organising it, so get the kids on board before you go. Ask them what they’d like to do or see and involve them in the planning, especially if you’re looking up information online. Ask the children to research for themselves. The National Trusts “50 Things” Project (www.50things.org.uk), Project Wild Thing (www.projectwildthing.com) and the Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives (www.naturedetectives.org.uk) are all great for inspiring a happy day outside.
• Pack a picnic – little legs need lots of fuel (and food encouragement), so make sure you pack a bag with plenty of drinks and snacks to keep them going, and even a treat or two. Or you could look for walks that have a café or ice cream shop along the route.
• Dress Smart – sounds obvious but if kids are too hot, too cold or uncomfortable, they won’t want to walk very far. Make sure they have comfy and sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Lots of layers are great because you can peel them on and off as the weather changes.
• Fun and Games – when you’re out, make it a fun event by including nature searches, treasure hunts, eye-spy games and races. If you’re on the beach then you could include some rock-pooling, beach combing or paddling, and if you’re in the countryside or forest, encourage games of hide and seek, nature detectives, flower spotting or den building. You could also pack a ball or frisbee for some fun at open spaces.

As well as boosting their fitness and their vitamin D from the sunlight (essential for strong bones and teeth) having fun outdoors can also fire up children’s imaginations and be educational without them even realising it. And most of all, children will love spending precious time with their families.

Bring the baby along on your walk!

Above all, make it a day for an adventure and have a fun family outing, whatever you get up to. Be flexible and let the children set the pace, you never know, the grown-ups might learn something new too!