A family walking holiday is a great way to help your children enjoy and revel in the outdoors. They might seem like they won’t work, but walking can be an enjoyable and worthwhile activity if you take the time to plan it properly.
Here are some tips to help you enjoy your family walks whatever the ages of your kids.
It’s All in the Planning
An ill-planned walking trip could end in tantrums and unhappy faces all round. However, with careful consideration, a walking trip can be a roaring success and leave your children wanting more.
The first point to think about will be how old your children are and how far they can walk. Be careful not to overestimate this. Teenagers should be fit enough to do the same amount of walking that you’re capable of, but if you have younger children then you need to think of what they can and can’t do.
With children young enough to be pushed, you need to consider whether the pushchair itself is suitable for the type of terrain you want to go for. With slightly older children, those that fall between 4 and 8, you should factor in lots of breaks where they can rest, snack and play.
What To Take on Your Walk
Suitable clothing is imperative. Having children that are a comfortable temperature can make a world of difference to their happiness and how compliant they are. Be prepared for rain, wind and sun with the right clothes and make sure that everyone is protected from the elements. Fleeces and waterproofs are necessary for the colder weather, and hats are good for the sun. www.outdoorlook.co.uk has a good selection of outdoor clothing for all ages.
You should also make sure that everyone on the walk has sturdy footwear that will support the foot and ankle, as well as good grip.
A basic first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, insect repellent and any hay-fever or other medication is necessary for any emergencies. Plenty of sun cream, stops in the shade and lots to drink will help prevent sunburn and sunstroke. Soothing after-sun will provide solace if anyone does catch the sun.
Plenty of snacks and water will keep energy levels and moods up. Hungry and thirsty children get cranky easily, and it isn’t very good for anyone to be thirsty when they’re doing exercise.
Definitely! We have crazy weather in TX, so a weatherproof jacket is almost a must whenever there is even a 5 percent chance of rain. Storms form without much of a heads up.
I love taking walks all the time, I can not wait till my grandson is older so he and I can take some walks together.
We walk around the lake after dinner every night. It’s fun to see the changes every day. My favorite quote: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’.
my grandsons an I love just to walk around the block an see everyone an visit ,,its a short walk an I don’t have to carry anything else with me
Some great tips! It’s definitely a good idea to have that well stocked backpack, as you never know what will happen. I’d also recommend double checking shoes before setting off on a long walk…old ones may not be supportive enough.
This is a great way to spend some time! I’d say one thing you can do, too, if they are a little bigger, is foraging in the fall. Some of my fav memories were gathering wild grapes and hickory nuts. We would roast the nuts in the fireplace in the winter. It might be a good idea to start with short timeframes.