Families Who Walk Together

Get Fit and Have Fun!

By Donna Smith

Walking is a great way for the family to get in shape together. All ages can do it almost. And if they can't walk yet, grab the stroller! Experts agree. "Walking is one of the most healthful and fun ways to gain fitness and family togetherness in one activity," says Catherine Cram, M.S., exercise physiologist andpostpartum fitness expert.

Cram says the best way to gain fitness from walking is to maintain a brisk pace and include some hills for extra cardiovascular conditioning. "Swing your arms as you walk, and try to walk for at least 30 minutes, three or more days a week," she says. "If some members of the family are in better shape than the others, they can wear a backpack filled with water bottles and other supplies. The extra weight will help provide a good workout for fitter walkers in the case that the walk pace needs to be slower for less fit family members. Keep in mind that walking helps to enhance conversation and mood two things that can provide a positive reinforcement for continued family walks!"

Early spring is the perfect time to start walking as a family. The air is cool and crisp, and there are still plenty of leaves to play in along the way. Pinecones, acorns and other gifts of nature are all around just waiting to be collected by your excited child. How would you like to turn a walk into colorful wreath?

Materials Needed:
An enthusiastic child
Pinecones, twigs, leaves, acorns, tree bark, rocks, budding flowers, etc.
Hay wreath
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Ribbon

Take along a brown paper sack or a tote bag to hold the treasures you find. Collect pinecones, leaves, rocks, twigs, acorns, pine needles, tree bark, spring flowers or anything else that looks interesting. To make the walk more fun, make it educational and turn it into a counting activity. Count the number of leaves she collects. How many trees does she see? How many squirrels did she see? How many different types of insects did she encounter? Keep an eye open for birds as well. Did she know some of the names of the birds she saw? What color were the birds?

Want to see more?

• Walking for Life: A Guide to Getting Started
• Tour d' Family: Ideas for a Fun-filled Family
• Making Fitness a Family Issue: Setting You and Your Children on the Path to Health
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!