National Walking Month – 5 games to make walking with children more fun!
When is National Walking Month?
May is National Walking Month, a month that motivates people to walk more throughout their daily lives. National Walking Month includes initiatives for both adults and children such as Walk to Work Week and Walk to School Week.
Show your kids a love for keeping active
National Walking Month is an initiative aimed to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, keeping active and being outdoors. Going for a walk with your kids demonstrates a commitment to regular exercise and is a fantastic way to promote a love for keeping active whilst making family memories.
Walking for 20 minutes a day
Research suggests that walking for a mere 20 minutes a day has a whole host of health benefits including maintaining a healthy heart.
The “Are we there yet?” scenario is a common experience for most parents walking with children. Kids often crave constant engagement and entertainment, so you might need to put in some effort to maintain their interest.
So, celebrate National Walking Month with us with these 5 fun games to make walking with children more fun!
5 games to make walking with children more fun
Pokemon Go!
Pokemon Go, a virtual reality game, is an easy way to create a shared, active experience of catching Pokemon along parents, grandparents and kids all whilst on a walk
It provides a wonderful reason to explore local parks with numerous Pokestops, adding an element of adventure to your walk. The app introduces walking goals, ranging from 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
I spy with my little eye
As you walk along, take turns spotting objects and describing them, providing hints for your kids to guess.
This not only adds an element of entertainment to the walk but also encourages observation skills and interaction. It’s an easy way to make 20 minutes of walking more appealing to children.
Nature bracelet
Simply wrap a piece of clear tape around your child’s wrist, sticky side out, and let them collect small treasures from nature along the way.
From vibrant leaves to tiny twigs, each discovery becomes a unique addition to their nature bracelet. Make National Walking Month one to remember!
Spring scavenger hunt
Spring is the perfect time to celebrate National Walking Month with a Spring scavenger hunt!
Write a checklist and encourage your kids to spot items on your next hike, such as yellow flowers, something red, and three different shaped leaves etc!
This game is a great way to get your steps in whilst the whole family join in.
Pooh sticks
Get your kids engaged in fit walking with the exciting game of Pooh Sticks.
- All you need is a stream with a bridge, and each person grabs a stick for the game.
- Before you start, check the direction of the water flow under the bridge and position yourselves upstream.
- With a 3, 2, 1 countdown, everyone tosses their sticks into the water.
- Quickly run to the other side of the bridge to see whose stick floats out first and emerges as the winner of National Walking Month!
Is walking a workout?
Walking may not be a high-intensity workout, but it is a highly beneficial form of physical activity, especially when done with your kids!
It’s one of the easiest ways to incorporate exercise into your routine, providing a perfect opportunity to boost your mood, engage with your environment, and enjoy the countryside.
While it may not strain your muscles like intense workouts, a regular walking routine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
So, embark on your own walk, make it a family affair, and reap the health benefits for your brain while enjoying the simple pleasure of a great stroll.
Walking makes you feel better
Taking just 20 minutes out of your day for a walk with your kids is an easy and active way to improve your mood and overall well-being.
Research has proven that this short timeframe is all you need to feel the benefits of walking, especially if you incorporate simple games and activities to keep everyone moving.
The fact is, spending this time outdoors not only gets your body moving but also helps improve your mind, making it valuable family time and an enjoyable addition to your daily routine.
So, lace up your trainers this National Walking Month, get your kids and get them walking for a mood boosting break.
Move your feet and get going
Don’t forget! May is National Walking Month, we hope you have discovered some easy ways to make walking with your kids more fun.
Explore our Stay Active resources for a variety of fun and active ideas. Why not take a look?
Alternatively, delve into this guide, which outlines additional ways to keep your family active in the comfort of your own home.
