Five ways to make a walk more exciting for the kids!

I love this time of year nature is beginning to bloom and there seems to be more warm days than cold, if. Spending time outside with your children is special, full of laughter, excitement and the adventures to be had are never ending. Getting outside is great not only for our physical health but our mental health too and it's no different with our children.

To make sure your family has fun you can easily plan adventures to include on a walk out. 

Craft and complete a nature spotting sheet!

You can make your own nature spotting sheets to teach your children about the wonders of the season. Birds, flowers, plants, as well as butterflies and other insects. If your children enjoy arts and crafts they will also have fun making these before going on the walk. So really, this is two activities rolled into one! 

Build a fortress out of sticks and shrubs.

Children enjoy playing and being as imaginative as they can, so a few sticks and shrubs may keep them occupied for an entire afternoon. You can even build rival fortresses and vote on which one is the best depending on how many people you have with you. Children will be using sticks and other natural materials from the ground, so these must be checked by an adult to ensure nobody gets a nasty splinter.

Barks and crafts.

Being outside gives lots of ways to express oneself artistically and rubbing tree bark is a basic and straightforward approach to creating a masterpiece. The textures of the bark is imprinted on a piece of paper which can then be cut into a collage and show off displaying on the fridge. You won't need to bring any paints; all you'll need is some paper and a soft crayon.

Collect wildflowers to press and cherish.

One of the best things about spring is the blooming flowers. Flowers are lovely, but they do not last forever. You can collect wildflowers on your walk to ensure that you can see them all year. Wildflowers can be pressed in a variety of methods. Placing the flower between the pages of a book is the most child friendly alternative. The wildflower may take up to three weeks to completely flatten, but it will be well worth the wait.

You should only pick one flower for every 20 in the patch. If there are fewer than 20, leave them alone! Don't ever pick flowers in public parks, community gardens, or on National Trust property or nature reserves. Never pull the wildflowers by their roots, as this will mean they will no longer return the following year.

Enjoy a delicious picnic as a family.

Walking might be exhausting especially for little ones so it's always a good idea to bring snacks but what about a good variety of food and drinks for a picnic. A picnic is a great way for your kids to unwind and refresh. Don't forget the picnic blanket or you might end up with a soggy bottom. hehehe

These are some of the best ways to make a walk exciting. It’s always a good idea to spend time outdoors especially during the warmer months.