Spring Family Walks

A great family day out doesn’t need to be complicated. Going for a Springtime walk is a chance to share quality time together, have fun in nature and search for signs of spring near you – from daffodils and bluebells to who can spot the first lambs still wobbly on their feet.

With warmer weather and longer days, a family day out walking and exploring is a great opportunity for the whole family to get out and stretch their legs.

Family trails provide shorter walks for little legs but still with plenty to see and do. Here are a few suggestions:

Box Hill, Surrey

This natural play trail will let your little one climb, clamber and balance their way through the woods. There are plenty of opportunities to build your own den and spot nature along the way.

Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire

This beautiful easy trail features carved wooden creatures that your children can look out for around the estate.

Lacock, Wiltshire

The farmland is rich with flowers to spot and identify. Stroll down to the river Avon and look for dragonflies hovering around its banks. Then take an adventure to Lacock Abbey to see where Harry Potter was filmed.

Tatton Park, Cheshire

Take a trailer ride around the parkland, feed the deer with the park ranger, or head to the farm to see the lambing and meet the animals.

Things to do on a walk with children

• Build a sand or mud castle – get creative and build an incredible castle with a Sand Pal kit. Let you kids imagination take them on an adventure.
  

• Try a scavenger hunt – create a list or print out a signs of spring scavenger hunt for your child to keep them engaged and entertained by looking for signs of deer, blossom, wild garlic and different types of trees.
  

• Create outdoor nature art – collect pebbles, twigs, pinecones, leaves, feathers or even shells. You could spell out your name, make a fairy house, create a picture of the view or even make a self-portrait.
  

• Follow an Easter egg trail – lots of venues now have Easter trails that you can follow. Before you know it, your kids will have enjoyed a good walk and found all the clues, ready to collect their prize.
  

• Make bark rubbings – take some crayons and paper and make bark rubbings of different trees. It’s a great way to engage your child in nature, and they can make pictures and cut out the patterns at home.
  

• Take a kids camera – let your kids be in charge of taking the pictures of your day out. You can give them a list of things to find and photograph to create their own wildlife journal on your adventure.
  

• Have a teddy bears picnic – let your little one carry their favourite teddy in their own backpack with a map of your day out, and find a spot to enjoy a teddy bears picnic together.
  

Things to take on a walk with young children

• Waterproof bags – they are great to sit on if the ground is damp or to put wet or muddy clothes in if your little one has enjoyed having an enthusiastic paddle or been jumping in muddy puddles
• Change of clothes and extra socks
• Sun cream and hats
• Wet wipes – to clean up muddy hands
• Water bottle and plenty of snacks
• A small magnifying glass – fantastic for exploring and keeping your little one interested
  

Enjoy your Springtime walk with the family.