Taking on #walk1000miles with your kids gives you time together, wholesome experiences and happy memories. Just ask these guys…
‘It really brings us closer together’
Quality time together with no screens and plenty of fun is what #walk1000miles brings to Lynzi Renshaw, fiance Jaime and their children Coralie (eight) and Darcy (four).
‘We all walk together at the weekend, sometimes adding in a walk on the school run when we can. The girls love it just as much as we do and often ask to go.
‘We printed off the charts for the girls to colour in as they complete their walks, which encourages them. We also do geocaching – it really gets them moving if they think there’s treasure to be found! We play I Spy, hunt the Gruffalo and race to the top of hills. We’ve just started bagging Ethels (95 hills in the Peak District).
‘There's always lots of fun and games along the way. The girls get a thrill from getting to the top of the hill, especially if they beat us! It’s quality time with no screens – just stunning scenery and fun. It really brings us closer together, gives us time to slow down, forget about work or household tasks, and just spend time together.
‘It sounds corny but it really will change your lives and bring you closer if you do it together. Be prepared, take plenty of layers, snacks and drinks, and enjoy!’
‘It gives us time to connect’
For Jodie Swain and daughters Olivia (six) and Grace (four), the challenge has made a huge difference to their mental health.
‘I joined #walk1000miles while on maternity leave after having Olivia. Last year, when schools were closed, Olivia decided to join me on my daily walks and set herself a challenge to walk 100 miles before her sixth birthday in March, which she absolutely smashed.
‘We often take picnics in the warmer weather so the girls can rest and eat before returning from a walk. They like to take a nature spotting book with them or binoculars to birdwatch. Poohsticks is a firm favourite with Grace, and puddle jumping is a must!
‘Olivia asked for a litter picking set as a reward for completing her 100-mile birthday challenge (she was horrified by the amount of litter we saw on our walks) which we all now enjoy doing as a family.
‘We all love being outside – it gives us time together to talk about our day and connect with each other away from distractions, keeps us fit and it has a positive effect on our mental health.
‘I’d recommend everyone to do it! Start off slowly and walk at the children's pace. It’s not always about hitting the highest mileage, but about the whole family getting outside in the fresh air and spending quality time together.’
‘We’ve made so many memories by walking’
Helen Giles’ children Tristan (eight) and Thea (three) go from cranky to happy just by stepping out the door.
‘The challenge affects the children in such a positive way – they can go from being cranky and arguing to full of energy and so happy, just by stepping out the door. It boosts my mental health too – my own personal therapy.
‘It’s taken us on adventures that we’d never have gone on without it too.
We have so much fun and have made so many memories just by taking part in walking. It doesn’t have to be anything grand or fancy – just by going round our estate we can see so many interesting things we would never have spotted otherwise. Getting everyone out can be hard to start with, but I promise it's absolutely worth it.
‘The children love colouring in their paper trackers, which definitely motivates them. We take a lot of pictures and we love looking for mushrooms and wildlife and learning what things are, which adds to the fun.’
‘Life without adventure would be very dull!’
For Leanne Gowar, #walk1000miles has become a chance to turbocharge six-year-old son Matty’s learning – and save her sanity!
‘The challenge gives us the perfect opportunity to escape and have something to motivate us to keep going. I used our trips as extra schooling opportunities, and Matty now understands how to read a map and help plan routes.
‘At the start, he used to accompany me on his bike. On one occasion he decided to take a toy truck which he then proceeded to push very, very slowly for three miles (walking bear style, bum in the air!) before I could convince him to just walk.
‘He’s become really interested in nature and local history so we talk a lot about different things we see along the route and at home he will research things to find out more.
‘We’re trying to encourage him to use our adventures together to build his confidence in the classroom – he currently has a diary and we've taken props (small cars) out on walks to take pictures and write stories about.
‘The mental benefits for me are enormous and I love spending quality time with my son doing something we both enjoy at a relatively low cost. It relaxes me and makes me sane, which I’d like to think hopefully makes me a better parent!’
