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The Benefits of Walking with Kids

We’ve been walking….and walking….and walking since COVID began. We’ve always walked and gone on adventures as a family, but there was usually our Thule Chariot involved so the kids jumped in and out when they wanted. For about three months now, we’ve been leaving the stroller at home and the kids have really taken to our walks. Our walks are more like marathons now as little feet only move so fast, but this allows for us to find so many cool things….snails, caterpillars, cool rocks!

Just the other day we came home from a weekend out of the city and when we arrived home (at 10:30pm), our son asked if we could go for a family walk. A “midnight” walk we had … and it was magical. Warm summer night, stars out, a neighbourhood cat to play with. Simply perfect.

Benefits of Walking:

1) It’s fun and interesting: You get to notice things along the way, say hi to neighbours and get to know your neighbourhood

2) It’s social: chat, chat, chat, chat, chat…..at least that’s what we do! We love hearing our kids' stories and questions they have along the way. Our walks have become such an important catch-up and connection point for our family.

3) Kids feel better: Exercise has been proven to make kids feel calmer and happier. It also improves concentration. Walking has also been proven to give your kids mood and self-esteem a boost.

4) It promotes independence and freedom: As opposed to riding in a car, when children are on foot, they get to be part of the decision-making process of their journey. They can choose to stop and jump over the log, look at a house, dig for worms or pet a dog. Kids can also start to make decisions about road safety. For older children, walking independently or a few steps ahead offers them some time to themselves.