Walking with Children

Walking with children is fraught with difficulties and concerns for many. It does not have to be. Once over the initial ‘I don’t want to go’ and once they are out and about they will almost inevitably enjoy it. It will also stick in their memory for many years after.

I have based my advice on primary aged children, in fact mine (back in the day). Once a child gets to the age of 12 plus they should be fit and raring to go on most of the walks on this website. Under 5 is nearly impossible. Below 5 a backpack offers an opportunity to go further. Whenever I see a parent with a child in a backpack I look on with admiration.

‘Boring’ is a popular comment on anything that does not involve some scrambling on the rocks, water or other things ‘of interest’. A nice wide ridge with splendid 360 degree views does not hit the mark (except with the parents). Neither does a path which makes its way up a gradual slope for more than half an hour. Walking with children has to be fun.

Top 10 Tips

1. Make the walk interesting. Rocks and scrambling will do this, also any walk that includes water (rivers, tarns or lakes). Watching your kids heading up a rock face may increase your own heart rate but it will be memorable for them. As I previously mentioned avoid the tedious grassy slopes.
2. Photos. Having an Instagram/Tik Tok or simple photo is now an essential part of a child’s walking experience. Any parental photos must however include the child, views are quickly skimmed over.
3. I bought the children a book where they can catalogue all their walks. It can be difficult to get them to fill it in but they won’t regret it. This offers a structure and history. In my case I can imagine mine will enjoy ticking mountains in the future. After all I did
4. Give them their own pack of goodies to carry. Even if this is a comfort toy, some water and an apple then they will feel part of the walk.
5. Do not be over fussed on gear! The basics of waterproofs and comfortable (stout but not necessarily boots) footwear is more than enough when out walking with children. If you load them with too much, aka Duke of Edinburgh, they will just think its not worth it.
6. Bring treats. Whether you approve of sweets/chocolates etc or not for me they provided a vital incentive . We will stop in 15 minutes for a sweet stop certainly helps break up the walk. Lunch as well if the walk is for the best part of the day.
7. Do give them a good breakfast.
8. Dogs distract and entertain. Mist and Bracken before her provided some memorable moments.
9. You will get grief but as with any child’s activity it passes. Don’t let it bother you.
10. Going down is fun. A steep grassy descent is entertaining. Scrambling up, grassy down.

Afterwards they were happy as sandboys and keen to try another one. They will remember their walks forever.

Top Tip: Improve the flavour of your bottled water by allowing your daughter to drop a lemon bonbon she was eating in it at some point in the walk….

Six Family Walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Six Family Walks in the Lake District

These walks are really for ages 5 to 12. Teenagers should be more than capable of the longer walks.

Enjoy your holiday walks

Jonathan