How to Make Walks More Fun for Kids

Did you set a new years goal or intention to get outside more with your family? Chances are, walking with your kids is part of that new habit you are trying to set! To make what could seem like chore or a drag a little more fun and exciting, my kids and I compiled a list of fun things to do on a walk! These activities and items will keep the adventure moving, add learning elements, and infuse so much joy, that you’ll barely notice those steps ticking away, and the miles adding up.

Fun Things to do on a Walk!

1. Use Binoculars, Spyglass, or a magnifying glass. Getting to see things up close adds an interesting element into the adventure. Try birdwatching with your binoculars, look for boats along the water with your spyglass, or inspect items in nature (trees, petals, bugs) with the magnifying glass. These tools need not be fancy. Even a pair of homemade binoculars made out of toilet paper rolls will help kids hone in on the nature around them.
2. Look for Animal Tracks. Search the snow, sand, or mud (that’s what we are usually dealing with) for signs of life! There are nature guides and books with descriptions of common tracks for your location, or you can do your own investigating!
3. Go on a Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger Hunts are a great way to get kids engaged in their surroundings, and the thrill of checking off each item will certainly move them along the path, sidewalk, or trail! We have a scavenger hunt for each season, plus a Seattle specific scavenger hunt in case you are local to us or visiting soon!
4. Walkie Talkies. Our kids love to bring walkie talkies along on our adventures to communicate with each other. They talk, and give reports back and forth, and also play games such as “hide and seek” giving clues through the walkie talkie. Walkie Talkies are also a great way to test independence!
5. Geocaching. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt through an app on your phone, and using the navigation system. You track “caches” hidden in parks and other outdoor areas, and can often trade small items (toys or trinkets) as well as sign a logbook. Geocaching is a great way to motivate kids who may be reluctant to head outside because it has the engaging technology aspect.
6. Sing Songs & Recite Chants. Songs and chants just have a way of changing the mood, and making it more upbeat! We’ve made up several on our walks (letter hunt), and also go with classics such as “She’ll be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain When She Comes”, and “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”. 
7. Play a Game. The old standbys such as “I Spy”, “20 Questions”, and Charades work well, but one of our favorites for moving kids along the trail is one that my kids learned at forest school. “Animal Action” combines singing, and movement, and is almost always good for a laugh too! To play, first sing: “Animal action is so much fun…animal action…move like a…” Then on your turn, you move like your choice of animal, and the rest of the players try to guess! See video below!
8. Get to a Special Destination! Sometimes just knowing that a special destination such as a playground, waterfall, bridge, beach, pond, or creek is all the motivation needed to get going!

See our fun walking suggestions in action on our Youtube Video!

Gear Recommendations & Resources:

A quick set of links to some of the gear mentioned in list of fun things to do on a walk!

• Consider a Think Outside Boxes subscription for quality gear each month, and tons of ideas and inspiration to get outside.
• An animal tracking field guide is an easy-to-carry tool to help in track identification.
• Seasonal Scavenger Hunts: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
• Visit the Geocaching website for all you need to know about this fun treasure hunt!
• Kid-Friendly Binoculars we recommend.
• Kid-Friendly Walkie Talkies we recommend.

Share you favorite thing to do on a walk, and/or something you’ll try from our list!

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