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Our Peak District National Park ambassadors @1snaphappy have put together a list of eight games to keep your children entertained on walks. 

Going on walks with toddlers is great fun, it gets everyone some fresh air and to gives children the chance to learn more about the world around them. Pop them in their Spotty Otter waterproofs to keep cosy and dry and then give them the chance to lead you on a walk, toddlers just love being in charge! They can choose which way to go, stop and look at the sticks, stones and creatures they spot and take their time to investigate the things they see. 

You do need a lot of time for child-led walks though and sometimes you just need to get moving to get to a destination! Ever found yourself stuck halfway along a walk with a toddler, whose energy is dwindling, and you still need to get back? A healthy selection of snacks to keep energy levels up is always helpful but there are some games we often play to keep our two little people (now 3.5 years and 15 months) moving and warm on our way back. 

Catch my Shadow

One for a sunny day! It is great fun trying to run and jump on each other’s shadows. Choose someone’s shadow to ‘catch’ and off you go. Making the shadows do silly dances, high-fives. This also gives children the chance to experience how shadows are formed, observe how they disappear when the sun hides behind a cloud. 

Throw the object

This game is best played in big open spaces for obvious reasons. Definitely not one for a busy or crowded place! Find something small; conkers, acorns, small sticks - anything you can find that might be suitable to kick/throw along your path. Throw it along the path and then race along to be the first to get it. Take turns to have a go or ‘race’ your objects to travel the furthest each go. Again, there’s lots more chances for discussion. Which objects travel furthest? Why? Can you throw overarm/underarm? Is it easier to kick things on a smooth path or on bumpy path?

Make a trail

Best for sandy/snowy/muddy adventures. One person makes a trail with their feet/spade/stick and everyone else has to follow along. We love this one at a beach with a spade. Sometimes it seems like miles to walk to get to the waves if the tide is out but this game really helps to get there and back in a fun way. The more wavy, spiralling and silly the trail is, the better.

Hide and Seek

Ideal if you’ve got two adults with you. Send one adult further up the path to hide and then challenge the kids to find them. Then swap and let the kids hide with one parent too. Our kids love the chance to hide from a parent and the excitement of being found is thrilling for them. You could also hide a toy if your child likes to bring treasures with them from home.

What can you spot?

Basically, a scavenger hunt but you can make it up as you go along to suit where you are. We like to find puddles, bugs, stiles, signposts, lamp posts, blue cars. Anything really! High fives for anyone who finds the right thing. You can improve children’s knowledge of the world by teaching them the names of different trees, plants, animals and birds as you play this game “Oh wow, yes you’ve spotted a bird. That bird is called a robin, it's got a red tummy!” Next time you can ask them to spot a particular type of bird they’ve previously learnt about.

Follow the leader

Jump, spin and silly walk your way along the path and then let the kids have a go and choose the way they want you to walk move. If you’re out in the countryside sometimes there are a choice of mini paths, muddier, higher, lower, rockier to choose from. I don’t know about you, but my kids love being in charge, so this one is a great way to let them take the lead.

Sing a song

Nursery rhymes, especially those with actions, are another good way to keep everyone moving. Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes is fun to try while you’re walking, especially if it gets faster and faster. We also like The Grand Old Duke of York for actions. The Wheels on the Bus tune is great for making up your own verses too. “The boots on Daddy’s feet go stomp, stomp, stomp!” etc.

Snack Hunt 

If you’re still lucky enough to be stocked up on snacks and are in an area where you can safely walk just a little in front of your children, then this one is great for motivating them. Hide a snack along the path and get them to hunt for it as they walk along. They’ll probably spot you hiding their snack but it’s still a fun way to keep them moving and topped up with energy. A bit like an easter egg hunt but more on the go!

Have you got any favourite games that you play with your children when you’re out exploring?