National Walking Day is April 2nd! 🚶🏻‍♀️

Animal Walk Challenge 🐖

Encourage kids to "walk like animals" during the walk! They can pretend to be:

This will not only make the walk more fun but also get them moving in different ways, improving balance and coordination!

Nature Scavenger Hunt 🍃

Create a list of items that kids need to find during their walk. Some examples:

Kids can mark off each item they find or take photos as they go!

Walk and Talk challenge 🚶🏻‍♀️

Encourage kids to go on a walk with a friend or family member and take turns talking about their favourite things, hobbies, or dreams for the future. You can make it even more fun by setting topics like “What would you do if you had superpowers?” or “If you could visit any country, where would you go?”

Walking Games ⚽

Make the walk interactive with games:

I Spy: Play “I spy” with the kids. They can look for things along the walk, like a tree, a red car, or a cloud shaped like something fun.

Counting Game: Challenge kids to count how many trees, cars, birds, or steps they see.

Simon Says: Play a walking version of “Simon Says” — “Simon says, take 5 giant steps!” or “Simon says, hop like a bunny!”

Step Challenge 🚶🏻‍♀️

For older kids, challenge them to see how many steps they can take on National Walking Day. You can use pedometers or fitness trackers to count their steps. Set a goal, like 5,000 or 10,000 steps, and encourage them to keep moving throughout the day to reach it. You can even make it a family challenge and see who can walk the most!

Nature Explorers 🍂

Turn the walk into a nature exploration adventure! Ask the kids to look for:

You can even make it a "Discovery Journal," where they can draw or write about what they see on the walk.

Story Walk 📖

Walking can be a great way to spark creativity! Try a "Story Walk" where kids make up a story as they go. You could start with a sentence like, "Once upon a time, there was a dragon who lived in a big forest," and let them add to the story as you walk along. It’s a fun way to combine physical activity and storytelling.

So, gather your family, grab your Little Hotdog Watson hat, and step out together to celebrate National Walking Day. Whether you're exploring the great outdoors, planning a scavenger hunt, or simply enjoying a walk to the park, it’s all about making memories while staying healthy. Get creative and most importantly - have fun!

Happy National Walking Day! (and don't forget National Walking Month is in May!) 👀