Thank you for inviting us to write for your blog Anna and Luciana. If you haven’t come across before we’re Little Muddy Boots and we run nature and gardening based classes for children aged 1-6. We’re passionate about getting children outdoors and learning about the wonderful world of nature.
Being outdoors, whatever the weather, whatever the season is so important for our mental and physical health. If we could encourage families to do one thing it’s to get outside for at least 30 minutes every day.
Getting outside doesn’t have to just be for a walk. It can involve craft, activities, and games. It should be fun and something everyone enjoys, not a chore. If you’re struggling to get your family engaged, then try shaking things up and think of things you can do together, rather than focusing on a place or distance you can walk to.
One of our favourite things to do it to make a journey stick. Have you ever made one before on a walk?
How to Make a Journey Stick
The first thing you need to do is take a length of string or wool with you on your walk. At the beginning of your walk find a stick. This is always good fun and kids always love to find a great stick. Take your wool or string and tie it around the stick.
Next is the fun part. Get your child to go on the hunt for things to collect on your walk. This time of year is perfect with all of the colourful leaves falling from the trees. You could encourage them to find as many different coloured leaves as they possibly can. But it could be anything, think feathers, grasses, seeds, bark, anything that captures their eye and imagination.
As your child find different things they love in nature, start threading them onto your stick as you walk. By the end of the walk, they will have a journey stick full of treasure and memories.
Being out together as a family is such a great time to pause, to see things through your children’s eyes. If we would love to see anything change in the modern world, it would be to see more families playing outdoors. But we also know some families are not sure how to do this. If you’re one of those parents that would love to do this but are not sure where to start, we have some activity cards that can help you. We sell activity cards by season with activities for you to do outside with little ones to help you get out and engage in nature more.
We love the outdoors; it’s an amazing and miraculous place and we want you to love it too.
Follow Little Muddy Boots:
Website | Facebook | Instagram |Twitter
More Outdoor Fun
Check out these fun nature walking games which can make long walks in nature more engaging and fun for kids.
- Free Autumn Printables: Autumn Leaf Coloring, Cutting and Sticking Fall Tree Craft
- Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable
- Rustic Star Craft: A Year of Nature Craft and Play
- Spring Blossom Window Decorations
Share
Please share this idea with friends and family or on social media, why not Pin to your Pinterest board
I completely agree! Getting outdoors and connecting with nature is so important for both children and adults. Your idea of making a journey stick is fantastic—it’s a fun and creative way to engage kids during walks and create lasting memories. Thank you for sharing your passion for nature and providing valuable resources for families to enjoy the great outdoors together.