Make family walks an adventure, say the Ramblers

Britain’s biggest walking charity is urging parents to get their children into the outdoors this Easter.

The Ramblers have a list of hints to tempt youngsters into the countryside and help burn off the energy from all those Easter eggs.

The organisation has launched a campaign to encourage the whole family to go out walking this Easter to fill Britain’s green spaces with children and young people.

A Ramblers spokesperson said: “We know that children don’t get out into green spaces as much as they should do and recent reports have confirmed this.

“The Ramblers believe one of the best ways to get children and young people, and their families outdoors is to get people walking.

“It’s also an excellent way to spend quality time together as a family. Children who walk when they are young may lose interest during their adolescent years but the seed of the benefits of an active lifestyle will have been planted.

“It’s not always easy to drag children away from in front of the television or computer but there are ways to make going walking enticing.

“Places with trees, playgrounds and safe areas of green space where children can run about are bound to be more appealing so choose your location wisely.

“Walks that involve transport like trains and boats, animals, woods; famous landmarks and places connected to other things that interest them, like films, TV, music, books and sport are also more likely to keep them entertained.”

Benedict Southworth, chief executive of the Ramblers said: “Whether you’re going away for the Easter weekend or staying at home, make sure you’re getting yourself and your family outdoors and having fun.

“The Ramblers want to help inspire children and young people to develop a love for the outdoors by getting them outside and appreciating the countryside. We believe that getting your family walking is the route to guaranteeing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.”

The Ramblers’ top tips for fun family walking are:

• Make it an adventure: don’t suggest ‘going for a walk’; make it an outing or adventure to somewhere like a park, a playground, woods or a pond; treat them to a picnic or take something to eat and drink along the way
• Take it nice and slow: be prepared to go at their pace, stopping to play and look at things on the way, and to cut the walk short if they get tired. With regular walking children will build up their fitness just as an adult does but keep walks short until you know about their abilities
• Go prepared: make sure they have comfortable clothes and shoes, and extra layers in case of rain or cold weather
• Safety first: remember hats and sun cream, and take something for bites and stings
• Let them bring a friend; team up with another family, or join a led walk that’s suitable for families
• Get creative: plan fun activities and games like a treasure hunt or I-Spy; look out for animals, birds, trees, people, buildings, colours, or collect tree seeds, leaves, shells, and small stones. Take photographs along the way they can put in a walker’s diary; get them involved in planning and running the walks, perhaps plotting the route on a map and map reading during the walk
• Walk with a dog if you have one.

The Ramblers also said its volunteers and staff are leading plenty of short, family-friendly walks over Easter that everyone is welcome to join for free. Details can be found on its website.