7 ways to get kids out for a walk

Two little girls splashing in puddle with parents in background — You'll find winter family fun, whatever the weather

The difference between an indoors-all-morning child and the same one after a walk is immense. It’s the reason we conquer our qualms about bundling up to get out of the door. It’s why we embrace the pile of muddy clothes to wash when we return. And it’s why the National Trust is such a blessing at this time of year.

A child who has run around in the fresh air is so much nicer to be around. And if it’s in a beautiful place then we’re happy too. But persuading a child away from a screen in a cosy room into the cold outdoors for a walk can be tricky. Here are a few tips:

1. Call it a welly walk (or a rain walk if they’re welly-averse.)

What you call your walk makes a difference. Think about how ‘little trees’ served us well with broccoli. It could be a ‘parachute walk’ if it’s windy. You can all hold your coat tails up in the air to make a parachute to catch the wind. Try to make a virtue of the negatives. ‘Cold? Yay! It means we can wear our scarf and gloves.’

Little child in mac and wellingtons bending over puddle — Turn your winter walk into an adventure

2. Look for animal tracks

Mud is great for stomping through in wellies to make footprints. Before you wade in though, check to see who has been there before you. It could be a duck, deer or dinosaur. OK, maybe not the latter, but you could always make your own dinosaur footprints.

Otter tracks in the mud — Will you spot otter tracks?

3. Construct an obstacle course

Suggest a simple walk from A to B and your head will hurt from the whining. Suggest an obstacle course in a woodland and your ears will hurt from the cries of glee. Use logs as balance beams, trees as slaloms and sticks laid on the ground to hop over.

4.Take binoculars

Winter is a great time for birdwatching. Birds are so much more visible without leaves on trees to conceal them. Take a spotter guide and tick off the birds you manage to spot and tick off one of your 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾.

Teen family on a walk by the Thames at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

How to get your teenager out for a winter walk

Trial and tribulation has brought us to the conclusion that there are just three ways to prize your teen off the sofa and into the fresh air. Use these judiciously and you'll be so glad you did.

5. Borrow a dog

It doesn’t work if it’s your own. Dog-walking soon loses its appeal if it’s a daily occurrence. Borrow someone else’s though, and it turns into a treat. The novelty and responsibility of holding the lead is a huge thrill to children.

Visitors walking their dogs in bluebell woodland at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

Dog walking in the South East

Come and join us for a wander with your four-legged friend at special places across the South East like Sheffield Park and Garden or Petworth.

6. Make it a scavenger hunt

Set out on a walk with a list of items for the child to find. The obvious things are acorns, twigs, beetles or woodlice, beech mast, conkers, crisp brown leaf, forked stick. Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of ticking things off a list?

Family walking through a woodland at a National Trust site — Enjoy a wintery walk

7.Litter pick

Buy a cheap litter picker tool off the internet. Kids love them. They can see the point of going out litter picking and gives them things to find. And there’s a marvellous halo effect. We can see yours shining already.