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Original poster

Do 4 year old DC walk/scooter/cycle to school 1.1 miles?

56 replies

Lily7050 · 03/01/2023 13:07

Distance to school is 1.1 mile, 22 minutes adult walk.
Is it too much for 4 year old to walk/scooter/cycle this distance twice a day?
There is no bus route that gets close to the school. Bus travel comes to similar time (~20 minutes) with 6-9 minutes walk (adult walk) on both ends.
We have a car so can drive DC to the school but might get a bad traffic in peak hours.
I am guessing Reception children are not brought in pushchairs.
Shall I get some kind of trolley like Micro Wagon
or there is no need and 4 year old confidently do 1.1 miles twice a day by foot, scooter or bike?
I would prefer to buy something in advance rather than discover in September that the distance is too much for DS and buy in rush whatever is available.

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TeenDivided · 03/01/2023 13:15

I suspect this is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions.
It rather depends on how active you have brought them up to be prior to starting school, and thus what their stamina is like.
Also is it flat or hilly, and will they be just 4 or nearly 5?

I suspect it will be fine on the way there, but might be hard going on the way home after a busy day, initially at least. Bring a snack, make sure you have good waterproofs including leggings, and lots of encouragement.

stargirl1701 · 03/01/2023 13:16

It is perfectly reasonable but you need to build their stamina from now.

My DC went to a Forest Kindergarten and walked 4-6 miles per day every day at 3+. They now get a bus to school but complete a Daily Mile in school every day and have done from Primary 1.

SpinningFloppa · 03/01/2023 13:17

Mine don't, its down a huge hill

Twizbe · 03/01/2023 13:19

Our school walk is about the same with 2 big hills.

We got a strap for the scooter so I could pull them along if they got tired.

We had to do this for the first term at least.

Squirrelonwheels · 03/01/2023 13:20

Mine was September born so 5 when started but coped fine with a 1 mile walk/scoot/cycle - a cargo bike is an alternative if you live in a bike friendly area but they are expensive. Very handy though! I have never driven the school run out of principle and although there is sometimes some moaning my DC accepts it!

NuffSaidSam · 03/01/2023 13:24

Any healthy, able bodied child can walk a mile to/from school at 4 years old.

Having a scooter that you can pull along when they get tired/slow will make things quicker/easier though particularly at the end of the day.

If your child doesn't have good stamina now, start building it before they get to school.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 03/01/2023 13:24

My kids primary school was 1.4 miles away, they walked both ways fine every day. My youngest used a scooter, his older brothers were right pains who would decide half way they didn't want to use the scooter. So mixed success there!

Blanketwars · 03/01/2023 13:26

I used to when I was a kid, and would expect to when DS goes to school I think.

FlounderingFruitcake · 03/01/2023 13:26

We’re in London and I know loads of kids that travel that distance, none by pushchair once they are in reception. I’d really recommend getting a lead for the scooter so you can pull it if required. So much easier than a wagon (which I’ve only ever seen Americans use for beach stuff) as DC should manage a good chunk of it themselves, and you only have to pull for a bit if they’re really knackered, as opposed to dragging a wagon the whole way. And don’t forget to bring a snack! Work on stamina between now and then as well as decent scooter safety, like to wait at roads and not zoom out of sight.

porpy · 03/01/2023 13:27

Our primary is 1.3 miles away and have walked since reception. Youngest was only just turned 4.

I always take a snack for pick-up time whilst we wait for older DC to come out so he’s not grumpy/hungry on the walk back.

To begin with he could get a bit tired and need a little break but eventually got into the swing of it no problem. He’s six now and we do the walk at such a good pace!

Nimbostratus100 · 03/01/2023 13:32

walking shouldn't be a problem. It might take a bit of getting used to, but it's a small distance

purpledalmation · 03/01/2023 13:37

It's too far.

steppemum · 03/01/2023 13:52

It is certainly not too far and many kids do it. We did a long walk in reception.

BUT
at the end of the day in reception they are pretty knackered. And while it is very doable, it will also be quite a chore, as you have to walk home too after drop off.
Also the route makes a huge difference, quiet, safe walk, or down the side of a busy noisy road with busy pavements?
It is also pretty miserable in pouring rain or biting wind.

Having said that, I walk my dog every day at the same time and the number of days when it is actually raining is surprisingly few.

So I would look to finding a bike/scooter combination which will make it easier.
Also get proper warm coats and waterproofs, and make sure shoes are waterproof or wear wellies in wet weather and carry shoes in bag.
Bring a snack at home time for the walk home in the early days. For the first 6 months my son really needed the banana after school for the energy to get home. Don't underestimate how tired they are at the end of the day at the beginning.

RoseMarigoldViolet · 03/01/2023 13:53

We used the buggy for the first term of Reception. Particularly on the way home, they are shattered after all that stimulation. And our child asked to be in the buggy.

RoseMarigoldViolet · 03/01/2023 13:55

Yes, having a snack is very good advice. It helps with behaviour and walking energy for older children too.

ofwarren · 03/01/2023 13:56

purpledalmation · 03/01/2023 13:37

It's too far.

Its not too far. Mine walk 1.6 miles each way.
They are now 6 and 8.
The only annoying thing is if it's raining. We have waterproof trousers and wellies and big umbrellas for those days.

PuttingDownRoots · 03/01/2023 13:59

She did. As did her sister in the preschool. Then to afterschool swimming lessons.

It was funny... the parents with access to a car said the journey was too tiring. Those without said the journey was fine... (not saying it was always pleasant!)

Original poster
Lily7050 · 03/01/2023 14:06

Thank you all who responded!
I guess we will need to start doing practice walks to the school, in spring, maybe, so that DS gets use to.

OP posts:
porpy · 03/01/2023 14:08

purpledalmation · 03/01/2023 13:37

It's too far.

It really isn’t!

MessiTheGoat · 03/01/2023 14:12

My 3 year old walks just over a mile to nursery and back. She prefers going on the scooter, it's no problem at all. She's almost 4.

Passportpondery · 03/01/2023 14:13

My 3.5 year old can cycle a couple of mile la easily and so would be happy doing a school run on bike.

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 03/01/2023 14:13

PuttingDownRoots · 03/01/2023 13:59

She did. As did her sister in the preschool. Then to afterschool swimming lessons.

It was funny... the parents with access to a car said the journey was too tiring. Those without said the journey was fine... (not saying it was always pleasant!)

I found that as well. Absolute amazement that my kids walked (or scooted) to school everyday from those that lived the same distance and either drove or got the bus.

If they never walk they'll never get used to it (as demonstrated by the amount of moaning when I worked at the school and we took them to the local shops half a mile away)

Baboutheocelot · 03/01/2023 14:16

I think it depends on the child. My youngest son really struggled in reception and school was almost a mile away. I ended up cycling with him on the bike seat as we were always the last in to school in the morning and it was getting stressful.

justcallmeJane · 03/01/2023 14:18

Ds could have done this no bother and still ran about at the park/soft play and nursery and clubs.

Dd tires much easier so wouldn't be able to do both plus clubs without being exhausted.

purpledalmation · 03/01/2023 14:19

@porpy Mine would be all main roads, so it's too far. If it was a safer walk I'd do it, but it's not safe unless I hold his hand as he is easily distracted