I’m not saying it’s not hard. I remember HATING walks as a child (I love them now). Kids boredom thresholds just don’t seem to mesh with trotting along at a steady pace admiring scenery and chatting. I’ve learnt that to get a happy kid you have to be willing to sacrifice pace and sometimes direction too, but it’s do-able. Here are the things that have worked best for B & me:
Make it a scavenger hunt
It can take a bit of preparation and definitely needs a good awareness of what you’re likely to find on the route but it can really motivate kids over a long period.
You can go to town on artistic clues or just do a list (can be a verbal list!) Awards for who can find something first or who can spot the best one. You can suggest things they need to pick or do something with too. Check out the scavenger hunt page for more ideas….
Get the kids wayfinding
Can you get the kids to lead the way? This may involve heading into some dead ends but it can really help to motivate. They can also be surprisingly good at finding new routes you hadn’t thought to go before.
Best to get them to a good starting point before you set them off. Try and keep phone based maps for emergency exits only. More wayfinding ideas here.
Have a clear objective
Instead of going for a walk could you get to the top of that hill? Or go and hunt for deer? You could see if you can find a waterfall? Or find your way through the wood and out the other side…
Giving them a list of ideas and getting them to choose which you go for really helps. Best to keep it to things you’re ACTUALLY going to find, unless you…
Find a story to take with you…
Can you imagine you’re going on a quest? It can be powered by whatever is the favourite of the time from the Gruffalo to K-Pop Demon Hunters.
B did a walk last year where all the crows we met were demons (and had to be chased away) and all the rubbish bins had to be saved from them. Kept her going a remarkably long time.
Find them things to interact with as you go…
You never know what you’ll come across that can appeal but there’s a good chance you’re going to find lots of things that are interesting. Here’s our favourite things to look out for. The more interactive the better!
Do some grass whistling
If they can work out how to do it it will get annoying BUT they’ll be happy… Check out here for an overview and instructions.
Find some weird stuff
Maybe not the most scientific name but natures full of it. Can you find anything you haven’t seen before? Ideally something fluffy, prickly or weirdly shaped.
Find an insect pet to take along for the ride
Will you rescue a bug that’s got on the path? Or search for a grasshopper in the long grass (nb. this can take ages).
Will you take the new friend with you or set it free somewhere it will be happy?
Make a den?
It’s amazing how often someone’s helpfully left out a pile of sticks… or a ready made one you can alter.
If there’s a stream or a pond
Can you…
- Dam it
- Build a bridge across?
- Make boats and see whose goes further
- Play pooh sticks
- Wade in it
- Spot some water insects
If it’s autumn
- Look for acorns and cobnuts
- Hunt for conkers
- Try and catch leaves falling from the trees
- Scrunch the leaves
- Find the prettiest leaf
- Look for sycamore helicopters and throw them high
If it’s spring time
- Try and spot some blossom and catch it
- Pick flowers for pressing
- Look for birds nests
- Find a dandelion clock and blow it
- Make a daisy chain
Check out more ideas for wood walks here and ideas for ways to play on the beach here. Good luck. Wishing you many happy walking days!
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