Take the kids for a walk!

Filed in archive Walking on September 19, 2007

Walking is good for everyone and it is an excellent way for your kids to get rid of extra energy.
Unless you have a child like mine, that runs around everywhere and never get tired at all, you can enjoy walks with your child.
Well it´s time to shake off some of that energy and take the kids for a walk!

Walking with children requires a little bit more attention than if you would walk with an adult friend. You might need a few extra things on your walk.

Why you should walk with your child:
* Walking is great for kids to get rid of their excess energy that they carry around.
* Regular walking means you and your child will sleep better at night.
* It is a perfect time for you to talk about what happened in school or ventilate any feelings that your child might be hiding inside.
* It creates a great bond between you and your child.
* You can discover new things together, vary your walks and discover new things in your area.
* Exercise makes us happy so walking with your child can be great if your child's mood swings are like a roller coaster.
*It's definitely better and more beneficial than sitting at home watching TV.

What to think about before you walk:
Make sure you and your child are using the right walking gear. A good pair of sneakers, a cap if it´s sunny, extra layers if it is cold. Use sun block screen if it's sunny.
If your child is hungry before the walk give him/her something light. After the walk you will have worked up your hunger even more and your child will eat better.


What you can do during the walk:
*Bring a plastic bag and take home leaves or flowers to make beautiful artwork together. A perfect family project.
* Bring a plastic bag and collect all the recyclable bottles and cans you find on the way. Your walk will not only help you but also the nature.
* Count, count how many houses you pass, how many green cars you see. Divide, multiply, add, anything that has to do with math.
* Sing together. Sing some happy songs and be happy!
* Bring the dog, it will love the walks and will wag it's tail every time it's time for a walk.
* Get a pedometer for each family member and see who walks the most steps. Depending on height you might not take as many steps as your little child.

What you might need on your walk:
*Plaster- your child might get blisters the first few times.
*Water- bring a small bottle of water so you don't have to listen to "Mommy I'm thirsty!" every thirty seconds.
* A few nuts or raisins if your child suddenly gets a hunger emergency that cannot wait until you get home.

Don´t forget to hold hands when walking close to traffic.
Start with a short walk and extend it as you go. Set up a regular walking schedule. Your child might not like the walks in the beginning. Be patient, it takes time to get used to regular exercise, for kids and for adults.

Have fun on your family walk!