The weather is warming up, and everybody is beginning to venture back outdoors for family adventures and nature-based activities. Family walks are beneficial for many reasons. Walking is a fantastic form of gentle, low-impact cardiovascular exercise, promoting heart health and strengthening bones and muscles. It is also highly advantageous in terms of mental well-being and has been proven to increase alertness and reduce the symptoms of conditions such as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, walking is an excellent bonding activity for families with children of all ages. Considering these factors, here is everything worth packing for your next family outdoor excursion.
Food And Water
Long walks can be exhausting, so you’ll need plenty of fuel to keep everybody going. While hauling around a picnic basket or a cool box might be inconvenient, it is always worth packing some light snacks into your rucksack to account for hungry mouths. Wholemeal sandwiches, fresh fruit, energy bars and mixed nuts are all packed full of carbohydrates, healthy fats and natural sugars, perfect for much-needed energy boosts. Water is equally if not more crucial, so ensure everybody has a bottle of water to help replenish fluids lost through sweat, keeping them suitably hydrated and energised.
Sun Protection
The milder temperatures of spring may not seem like cause for concern. However, experts advise wearing sunscreen even on mild cloudy days, as up to 80% of harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud coverage. Sunburn can cause permanent skin damage, increasing the risk of melanoma skin cancer to an alarming degree. Take no chances; ensure every family member applies sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Furthermore, make sure your little ones wear brimmed sun hats and cover up on particularly bright, warm days.
Dry Clothes
An unexpected downpour or even a tumble into a muddy puddle can instantly put a damper on things. Nobody likes being cold and wet, so it is always wise to pack a few spare pairs of socks, leggings and extra layers to keep your whole party warm and dry. Make sure the clothing you bring is weather appropriate, lightweight and breathable – naturally moisture-wicking materials such as linen, and organic cotton are ideal for all seasons.
First Aid Kit
Every outdoor excursion comes with risks. Scraped knees, splinters and nettle stings are all part and parcel of getting outdoors to experience nature. While you may be tempted to wrap your little ones up in cotton wool, minor injuries are bound to occur. It is always best to account for any mishaps by packing a compact first aid kit containing plasters, gauze dressings, antiseptic wipes and triangular bandages. You might also require medication such as antihistamines and painkillers, just in case.
Educational Tools
Nature walks provide excellent learning opportunities. Whether your children are home-schooled or you would simply like to pass on your knowledge of the outdoors, there is much to be learned from nature. You could pack small sketch pads and wax crayons to make bark rubbings or create a birdwatching checklist. You can increase the chances of spotting various feathered forest dwellers by using bird whistles and scattering mixed bird seed.
Pet Essentials
No family walk is complete without the dog! Provided you practise appropriate dog-walking etiquette, bringing your pup along will give them vital exercise and mental stimulation. Be wary of other dog walkers and keep your pooch on a lead at all times if their recall skills aren’t up to the mark. Ensure you pack plenty of treats and enrichment toys, and always pick up after your dog, regardless of your surroundings.
Rubbish Bag
Not only does dropping litter spoil our precious countryside, but it is a criminal offence. Lead by example and teach your children good habits by always leaving no trace of your visit. Litter can significantly disrupt natural habitats, causing harm to wildlife and stunting plant growth. If there are no rubbish bins around, put your empty wrappers and bottles into a plastic bag and wait until you find one.
Map
If you know where you are going, you’ll unlikely need a map. However, becoming lost in vast, rural areas can be profoundly easy. Not only that, but map reading is a valuable life skill you can teach your children. While you might have Google Maps on your smartphone, you may not get a great deal of GPS signal out in the sticks, so always take a paper backup.
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