Walking with children is fraught with difficulties and concerns for many. It does not have to be. Get over the initial ‘I don’t want to go’ and once they are out and about it can be extremely satisfying.
I have based this on primary aged children, in fact mine. 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 although at a younger age a backpack offers an opportunity to go further.
‘Boring’ is the common refrain 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, neither does a path which makes its way up a gradual slope that lasts more than about 20 minutes to half an hour. Walking with children has to be fun.
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….
These walks are really for ages 5 to 12. Teenagers should be more than capable of the longer walks.
Enjoy them
For a list of my ‘Best of…’ blogs follow this link
Jonathan
Hello Jonathan, you gave us some fantastic advice (“us” being myself and my 10 year-old son, who broke his arm just a week before his first ever trip to the Lakes).
So, out went the Pike and Gable but that was all for the good because we roamed the Loweswater fells and hardly saw a soul. You did say Barrow was a fantastic first-time walk – again, spot on, although Knott Rigg and Ard Crags from Newlands Hause (the car does the first half) pushed it close. Only rain – the first of the week – prevented us going on from Barrow to Outerside.
Doing Haystacks the “wrong way” up Scarth Gap meant a bit of one-arm scrambling at the end but by strolling on to Brandreth we were again alone on the fells. Not bad for August!
Really like your website and thanks again for your advice. The boy is hooked and we will go up again soon.
Kind regards, Max Stocker
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
Δ