From Screen Time to Green Time: Getting Kids out for Walks
One of the things I love about walking in the summer (because, let’s face it, it’s not the 90+-degree temps and the 99% humidity) is walking with my daughter. After COVID struck in 2020, leaving us stranded at home, we’d get out every day (even when it required winter coats). Back then, I’d walk and she’d go rollerblading. For the next two years, I was her learning coach for online school, so we’d often get some PE time in by hiking through the woods at some of our favorite parks. And over the past couple of summers, we’ve taken some long walks through old trails and explored some new ones.
Why would you want to walk with your kids? Well, let’s see…
– It’s a way to get them off their screens—because if you’re like me, that’s a constant struggle.
– It’s a way to get them out of the house for some good exercise and some fresh air, too.
– And my favorite reason: it’s a great way to connect with your kids without having to ask them pointed questions—because when they’ve got nothing else to do but walk and talk, they might eventually start opening up about the things that matter to them.
During our time on the trails, we’ve talked about random things like movies or music or video games. I’ve heard a lot about Roblox games. But we’ve also talked about deeper stuff. She’s opened up about the things she’s struggling with, and I’ve done the same. Maybe she just sees it as the time when she humored her mom by going on a walk with her—but these have been some of my favorite, most cherished times. I’m going to get sappy and sentimental for a minute and point out that our time with our kids is limited—and though summers are hectic and crazy and filled with activities, I’ve valued every minute of the time that we’ve been able to spend together. Even when I’ve had to listen to another Roblox story or a detailed description of a lengthy YouTube video.
Sometimes, though, it can be a challenge to get your kid to get out and walk with you. So here are some sneaky ways to get them moving:
Set a Goal…and a Reward
I have never been above bribery—whether it was to get my kid to behave in a restaurant when I just wanted to eat a meal that I didn’t have to cook myself or to get her to use the potty. So I’m not above bribing her to get some exercise. One summer, we set a goal of walking 100 miles over the summer, and I bought us matching pendants to celebrate when we achieved our goal (just a couple of days before school started back up). The next summer, we teamed up with friends for a summer challenge. We ordered the girls cute charm bracelets online and let them choose a sparkly bead to add to their bracelet whenever they walked a 5k. Which brings me to another point…
Just Add Friends
If you’ve got a walking buddy (like my friend Kristin) who happens to have a kid who’s friends with your own kid, it’s a no-brainer. Plan to meet up on a regular basis and walk together! We decided to set aside every Wednesday afternoon during the summer (or at least the Wednesdays when we were all in town) to meet up at a park and go for a walk. After the girls finished a 5k with us (and earned their sparkly beads for the week), they’d get to hang out in the park while the moms kept walking laps and putting in more miles. Granted, this doesn’t give you the same kind of mom-and-me time, but it does give each of you time to hang out with a friend while getting some exercise, so it’s a different kind of win.
Make It Fun
Make walking an adventure! One summer, we decided to tackle all of our city’s parks—some close by, some over an hour away. Though we didn’t make it to all of them (because there are a lot), we got to explore new places while putting in our miles.
If the kiddos need an extra challenge while you’re on your walks, have them tackle a fun scavenger hunt! I’ve created a collection of printables that includes four different scavenger hunts. You can print out as many as you need, so you can print out one sheet to complete together—or print one copy per kid and have them compete for a prize.
Another adventurous option: have them take pictures of their favorite things while you walk. Before long, you’ll have a camera roll full of cool pictures of your favorite walks. Not only that, but the added challenge will make them forget that they’re missing out on quality screen time and getting exercise—because it’ll feel more like an adventure.
Sign Up for a Race
Registering for a race can give your kids extra incentive to get some exercise. Make sure they get out put those miles in to train—so they’ll be ready for race day! You can start by signing up for a virtual race (be sure to check out my posts on the value of virtual races for walkers and how to get started) and then work your way up to a fun in-person race. Kristin and I signed ourselves and our girls up for the Bubble Run a couple of summers ago—and while it wasn’t the real race experience that my daughter was looking forward to, the girls still had so much fun anyway. And, as an added bonus, they got a medal to show off after they were done.
Treat Them (And Yourself, Too!)
Did I mention that I’m not above bribery? After your walking adventure, plan a treat for your kid (and yourself). Maybe it’s a favorite candy or a popsicle or a homemade snow cone when you get home. Maybe it’s a Dunkin stop for iced coffee and donuts (my personal favorite treat). One time, on a particularly (and unexpectedly) grueling hike, the only thing that kept my daughter and me going was the promise of fresh, homemade donuts at a shop I’d heard about (though, in the end, we went for an entire cheesecake flight instead—we earned it!). It doesn’t always have to be big and rich and decadent—after all, you’re trying to get some exercise here! Maybe it’s a quick trip to the dollar store. But a small treat every once in a while can make walking fun—and memorable.
No matter what it takes to get your kids out walking with you, I promise that it will make for a memorable adventure. Maybe they’ll grow to love walking as much as you do. Maybe they’ll decide that it’s not for them. But that time out on the trail or on the sidewalk or even through the neighborhood together might just make for some priceless memories for everyone involved.
Do you have any other tips and tricks for getting your kids to walk? Let’s hear ‘em!
Want to pick up some printable challenges to give the kids a little extra incentive? Check out the printable Family Scavenger Hunt Pack, the Family Activity Tracker, and the 100 Mile Challenge in the Will Walk for Coffee Etsy shop at WillWalkForCoffee.Etsy.com
