Encouraging children to go on walks - any tips?

[halster]

Have just got back from another walk with the kids - as per usual there was much moaning, wingeing, tears, cries of "my legs are tired". We did not go far at all. They are 3 and 6, I understand that the 3 year old will get tired easily, but the 6 year old? I would love to take them on lovely country walks regulary but it is so stressful!! I try to make the walks as interesting as possible. And bribing them doesn't work either.

Do your kids happily go for walks? What is your secret?
My MIL maintains that my dh walked the Pennine Way when he was 4 (carrying his clothes in a rucksack).

we do quite a bit of walking and DH doesn't compromise much on where or distance so DS (7) has always had to muck in.

Two tips: when he was v small (2 or 3) he had two imaginary horses called Sparrowhorse and Whisky, and if he was flagging, he "rode" them back to the car. (only downside was when we left one of them in the imaginary horsebox and had to double back half a mile to collect the imaginary bugger).

He also talks incessantly and makes up stories all the way, to the point where (on todays ever so slightly hungover walk) it's us who are hoping "are we there yet"?

I think a bit of force helps quite a bit, as does having the right gear, we've always bought him good walking boots and socks so there's no trench foot or blisters.

Some children just don't seem to like walks or castle trips or anything like that. I don't know why. My kids quite like them

Tell you what, though. Taking an interesting little snakc makes all the difference for dd2. She loves going a walk if there is a halfway point snack involved.

Oh Tiger has remonded me: Sometimes I give them imaginary crocodiles to walk on leads. They are quite naughty and bite my legs a lot which makes me tell the children off for not keeping them under control. They like taking the crocodiles for walks.

Copious supplies of sweets, which have to saved for "half way" ( choose your point) also help a lot. Kid equivalent of a hip flask I guess

We go "on an expedition" abit like the bear hunt, with different actions, running from crococodiles, and i wrap up a picnic in a te towel.

We also play i packed my suitcase, aplhabet games, who am I and sing songs...

Blimey MP, I thought we were the only family daft enough to play 'ds is a doggy'. V. embarrassing if we pass other people on the walk while ds is bounding back to me yip yip yipping and I have to say 'GOOD dog' and ruffle his hair.

I feel exhausted just reading these lists of games people play while walking

Imaginary crocodiles: yay! DS is now ubercompetitive on walks (what, only 8 miles - pah!) but an imaginary crocodile might be a good distraction. Excellent idea!

oh I have a boy-shaped 'puppy' who is 9 now, edam and MP.....

read them The Hobbit. Then tell them they are hobbits going on a quest...this one will run for years especially if you arm them with a cape and stick each.
Including Dh...[snigger]

read them The Hobbit. Then tell them they are hobbits going on a quest...this one will run for years especially if you arm them with a cape and stick each.
Including Dh...[snigger]

and going with other children - is miraculous how far dsses would walk aged 4 or 5 if there were other children as well.

Ok, I am now determined to do this!

So, how far to start with? We live in central london so this will likely be park walking. An hour round trip door to door? Keeping in mind that it takes 6 minutes or so to get to the park gate. So almost a quarter of an hour will be getting to and from the park. And is it important to keep walking? What I mean is, do you stop and feed the ducks, play in the playground, chase a ball etc, or do you set a destination and no stopping until you reach that point and then you play? My kids are 8 and 5 (plus a toddler in the pushchair)

Mine have always liked walks so I'm lucky I suppose. They like 1 fairly short walk (an hour circle) where they cross stepping stones and have a picnic after. The other one is to town and again involves food at our destination and the park half way there. They always wear wellies, fleeces and waterproofs too.

Snacks in pocket.

My four year old will happily go for miles, the three year old can, but often chooses not to.

They both go miles and miles with Granny and Grandad. I think their secret is pocket-fulls of snacks, and an utter refusal to ever pick anyone up "no we can't carry you, we're much too old".

They had smallest walking coastal paths at two, all the other walkers exclaiming at size of him!

I like the dog walking idea.

We can't get anywhere at the moment, because they have to keep stopping to kick ice.

Mine are keen hikers, even the disabled one. I had memories of trying to hike in wellies and cagoules as a kid, and recalled how tough it was, so when they were very young we invested in proper hiking boots and socks, kiddie Goretex jackets, and decent kiddie backpacks. It cost a fortune at first but I look out for stuff in sales, buy it overseas sometimes, and have an effective hand-me-down system going. I put a toblerone and juice carton in their rucksacks like my grandfather used to do for me, and they have that after about 4-5 miles before the return journey. We have managed quite a few Alps and they moan a bit, but actually cope pretty well overall. I am quite proud of how well they have done.

Parks are good for first walks but stately homes and major reservoirs are great because they have interesting pre-determined routes and you can give the kids a slap up tea in the caff afterwards.

We did a great trek around Carsington Water in Derbyshire once when our boys were 3 and 6.

Carsington Water

DS1 (3) has bags of energy but I am guilty of putting him in the pushchair far too much because he will not walk in a straight line - not a problem if we are "out for a walk" but a nightmare if we are going somewhere for a particular time (pre-school, etc) as he's up everyone's drives and into their garden/greenhouse/whatever - I have to factor in about an hour for a 20 minute walk. The result is that he's not great when we are "out for a walk". I have to take a pushchair in town, as we also have DS2 (16mo) and I can't manage him in the backpack (I am 8 months pregnant) - even if I don't let DS1 in his seat, he just climbs on the front foot plate and squashes DS2. Must make more of an effort, as I really want him to be happy out-of-doors like my brother and I were. Can't get a dog because I'm allergic - mut find friends with dogs and try to join them.

If you are going to mountains, make sure you have snacks, drinks and adequate clothing - so often children are wearing shoes/wellingtons and not very waterproof/windproof clothing whilst parents are dolled up in good quality walking gear.
Our DSs were never that keen on walking but much preferred cycling on dedicated cycle routes in the Peak District.
A tea shop or ice cream at the end is also good, but make sure you get there before the shop closes or your children will resent walking for ever!

Loads of geocaches in central London.

Cafe at the half way point.
Their own map (for children aged 4+)
Their own backpack containing a small water bottle, a few carrot sticks, a few bread sticks, a handful of raisins, that kind of thing.
Avoid using a buggy/pushchair - Use a backpack with babies/toddlers (or sling, depending on babies size).

Some example walks I've done with the children (in the Summer they were aged 18 months and 4.5 yrs):
Bishops Gate to Windsor Village Shop/Cafe (Windsor, Berkshire)
Bishopsgate to Savill Gardens (Windsor, Berkshire)
Box Hill (Stepping Stones to NT Cafe, back down the grass hill)
Hope those links work... not sure how they are viewed when not logged in to GoogleMaps.

Play on route, such as hiding in bushes.
Went for a walk today with a group and the older children (around 6-8yrs) had walkie talkies which they used to keep in touch with each other. Two of them would go and hide, then radio in that they were hidden and the others had to find them. Games can make it more fun.

Definitely Geocaching