10 Helpful Tips for Kids Walking to School

As summer comes to an end and it is almost time for the kids to head back to school, it is a great time to prepare for walking the kids to school. What's that old saying about time flying when you're having fun? I think whoever wrote that was definitely referring to summer break. As we get ready to head back to class we wanted to share 10 tips for walking kids to school. Walking to school can be safe and fun for kids and parents. Be sure to check out ALL of our back to school activities for kids.

Back to school here means back to walking to school. I am a HUGE proponent of getting kids to walk to school. There are so many benefits from walking with kids - physical health, mental health, building a social and family connection, disconnecting from technology, and a connection with nature - seriously, I could go on and on. However, I know that for many families, distance keeps kids from walking, for others, it's a simple lack of time. Well, I have some helpful ideas and tips for walking kids to school. Maybe this year will be the year that walking to school becomes part of your family's routine.

10 Tips for Walking Kids to School 

Safety first ~

We live in the city, and walking to school means crossing a busy city street. It is super important to teach kids about walking safety before heading out. Obviously, safety starts well before kids are school-aged. These are a few simple walking safety rules that we have taught and reinforced for years,

• stop before crossing a street
• look both ways before crossing a street
• hold a parent's (or adult's, or older sibling's) hand while crossing a street
• stay on the sidewalk
• only cross the road at an intersection
• if possible, cross the road with a crossing guard.

Timing is everything ~

There is no doubt about it, walking to school will take more time than driving to school. Kids, especially younger kids, like to toddle their way to school. Leaving early is the only way to get to school on time. Give yourself plenty of time.

Walk the route

If this is your little one's first year at school, or if you are starting at a new school, take a few trial runs before the school year begins. Walk the route during the summer and time your trip so you have an idea of just how long the walk will take and what obstacles they might face.

Comfort is important

If you are planning on making walking part of your regular routine, it is important to think about the comfort of your child on her walk to school. Make certain that her shoes are appropriate for the walk, you have proper outerwear, and lighten up the backpack load. Uncomfortable kids are going to be complaining kids. The complaints might have absolutely nothing to do with a lack of desire to walk to school.

Walking can be fun

If your child isn't that interested in walking, try making the walk fun. When my girls were younger and they didn't want to walk we played a couple of walking games.

• search for items along the walk that start with each letter of the alphabet, or
• count cars, how many Honda, Volkswagens, Fords do you see
• pick a color and look for items along the way that are a particular color.

Whatever works to make walking fun and keeps the forward momentum going.

Emphasize the connection to nature

A walk to school is not only about commuting. A walk to school can be an adventure. As we walk, we are always on the lookout for cool things, like an enormous spider web or a caterpillar on the sidewalk.  We've noticed a bird's nest in a tree and have watched the gardens fill with seasonal flowers. The discoveries made on a walk are truly endless.

Create a neighborhood walking pool

This concept was new to me, but as soon as I heard about it, I thought it was awesome. Take the idea of the "carpool" and apply it to walking. If you live too far from the school or don't have the time to walk the kids, try making a walking group. Arrange to drop the kids off at a friend's home who lives closer to the school...the children can walk together to school from the closer home. Maybe you can take turns with another family. I have heard of parent councils working to organize these walking and biking groups.

Walk home instead

The morning might be way too busy, but don't forget about the trip home. Whether it's walking home from school or daycare, an early evening walk is a great way to unwind from a busy day.

Try a trial

Walking to and from school every day would be fantastic, but if every day just won't work for your family, try just one day a week. Pick a day and give it a try. Our school encourages kids to walk to school on Wednesdays. Every day counts.

Start Kids Early

Kindergarten is the perfect age to start walking kids to school. Get your child used to the idea of walking to school, and they will walk all the way to graduation. Kids will gain confidence and independence over the years, and next thing you know, they'll be walking their kids to school.

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