Take a Hike! Here are Walking Games to Keep Kids Entertained

Summer is the perfect time to get the entire family involved in exercise.  When most think of summer activities, swimming, bike riding, walking, hiking, and rollerblading often come to mind.  Although taking a family walk may not seem as enticing to your kids as spending the day at the local wave pool or playing volleyball at the beach, it’s a great way to spend quality time together and contribute to your child’s recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  Walking is convenient, can be done anywhere, requires no exercise equipment, and is something most of us can readily do.  Aside from that, it can be a lot of fun too! Try these easy activities to help children stay interested and engaged when you are taking a stroll.

Find purpose in your walk with a photography challenge.  Have your children take a digital camera along while you walk.  Encourage them to take pictures of their surroundings, or set challenges – take a photo of a specific animal, tree, or flower. Make a slide show of their photos afterward, or frame their favorite pictures and use them to decorate their rooms.

Scavenger hunts are great ways to keep kids occupied.  Give each child a list of 10 items to observe while walking.  As they point the items out from the list, cross them off and move to the next.  The first child to complete their list wins!

Stick to the classic travel games.  Play “I Spy” or “20 Questions” on the go.

Switch it up. Don’t stick to just walking, incorporate different moves such as running, hopping, skipping, walking backwards, or doing lunges. 

How do you keep your kids entertained on long walks or hikes?

Now let’s get going!