Want to hear something mind-blowing? Studies show that even a short 10-minute walk with your children offers immense relationship benefits, from deeper connectivity to increased empathy – even problem-solving skills for reoccurring triggers or behaviors within the household. While a family walk may seem trivial, we know the truth: the combination of fresh perspective and fresh air is a day-changer for all.
Don’t consider yourself the “family walk” type? Unsure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Below, find 8 of our members’ FAVORITE family walks – PLUS, a related read-aloud to enjoy after you’re snuggled home safe and sound.
Pick one, or all, and lace up those sneaks!
THE RAINBOW WALK
While strolling around the neighborhood, challenge your child to help you gather an item from every color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Look high and low – leaves, berries, feathers – colors are hidden all around! Stash them in your pocket or a tote, then head home to display them vibrantly on a shelf, entryway table, or your child’s bedroom.
Challenge: Can your child count, sort, and organize each nature find, then create a mixed media collage with his/her collection? Bust out the glue and let creativity run wild!
Variation: Stretch your rainbow walk to last for a whole week! Search for red items on Monday, orange items on Tuesday, yellow items on Wednesday, etc., for a bountiful harvest and a lovely display.
Related Read-Aloud: Green on Green, by Diane White
THE MONEY TRAIL
On your next walk in the woods, bring a pocketful of loose change. Drop a few hidden coins as you walk along the trail, taking great care to be quiet so your child doesn’t notice! As you turn to head home, announce that you’ve stumbled on a money trail, and watch in awe as a delighted your child collects the treasure you’ve “planted.”
Challenge: Once you return home, task your child with counting his/her earnings! Assist where necessary.
Related Read-Aloud: Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday, by Judith Viorst
THE TOSHI WALK
Give your child a backpack or tote, and set out on a neighborhood adventure to search for treasure! Encourage him/her to collect treasures from different categories for later sorting, e.g., “city” treasures, “riverside” treasures, “town” treasures, etc. If interest allows, task your child with tracking down objects from our Toshi-inspired list here!
Challenge: Consider gifting your child a special treasure notebook to start drawing/doodling his/her favorite treasures like Toshi’s grandmother did! Or, keep a shared notebook together, passing it back and forth for a happy tradition for years to come.
Related Read-Aloud: Toshi’s Little Treasures, by Nadine Robert
THE RUST HUNT
Before you leave, tuck a magnet in your pocket. While walking, point out a few objects on the street that have rusted, e.g., car doors, road signs, trash cans, metal chains, etc. Talk about how rust forms on iron, then show your child how these things will be attracted to a magnet. Let him/her test this scientific principle as much as he/she would like as you walk along together.
Related Read-Aloud: The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner
THE OPPOSITE HUNT
While walking in your neighborhood, spark a conversation about contrast by pointing out a few familiar opposites. Take your time to pause and physically experience a few opposite properties, e.g., running fast vs. walking slow or touching a hard rock vs. soft moss. Then, get abstract! What’s the opposite of wind? What’s the opposite of a leaf? A log? Would the opposite of a fluffy cloud high in the sky be something hard, stiff, and low to the ground? What could that be? (Spoiler alert: there are NO wrong answers!)
Related Read-Aloud: The Hueys in What’s the Opposite? by Oliver Jeffers
THE POCKET WALK
Head outdoors for a family walk, but before you leave, slip something secret into your pocket (e.g., a snack bar, a ball, a toy car, a favorite figurine). As you walk, announce to your child that you’ve brought along something that fits into your pocket, and play 20 Questions as he/she attempts to guess the object.
Challenge: Time for a role reversal! Ask your child to find something from nature to fit into his/her pocket, and see if you can guess what it is!
Related Read-Aloud: A Pocket for Corduroy, by Don Freeman
THE ELF WALK
As you explore your surroundings – whether city, neighborhood, country, or somewhere between! – point out items together that a fairytale elf might use in his/her daily life. What would make for a lovely bed? How about a leaf blanket? Can your child find a hat or robe? Could some acorn dishes or a mushroom table be just the right size? Encourage your child to use his/her imagination the whole walk through!
Related Read-Aloud: Thumbelina, by Hans Christian Andersen
THE 5-SENSE STROLL
Through your neighborhood, country road, or city sidewalk, take a short stroll with your child. As you go, prompt him/her to consider his/her five senses by directing his/her attention to sights, sounds, etc. Encourage your child to make a mental list of his/her favorite discoveries to share over dinner, e.g., What’s something he/she touched that felt good? Smelled that was pleasing? Heard that was beautiful? Saw that was lovely?
Challenge: After your child shares his/her sensory findings at the dinner table, share yours, too! Studies show that the more often we talk about the small, lovely things throughout our day, the more practiced we become at noticing and experiencing gratitude our whole life long.
Related Read-Aloud: Too Much Noise, by Ann McGovern
Remember: Establishing the habit of frequent walks with your child will tout innumerous benefits in his/her life (and of course, your own!). Aside from the many physical perks, daily nature walks have been proven to decrease anxiety, lengthen attention spans, boost creative problem solving, and – surprisingly – stave off selfishness by fostering empathy for the world at large. By encouraging your child to join you for a walking contemplation (elves or otherwise!), you’re strengthening a habit that will serve him/her for decades to come.
Happy exploring!
p.s. Ever made a nature bracelet? It’s so easy! Before you leave for your walk, secure a strip of masking tape around your child’s wrist, sticky-side out. As you walk, encourage him/her to gather fallen nature from the ground – leaves, flower petals, etc. – and stick them to his/her “bracelet” for later studying and treasuring!