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October is International Walk to School Month when Children around the UK celebrate the benefits of walking and wheeling to school!

Why walking to school is a good idea

Discover the countless perks of walking! Incorporating it as your primary mode of transportation is an excellent strategy to cultivate a healthy routine and adopt a more active lifestyle. It improves stamina, confidence, and mental health, aids in weight loss reduces the chances of diabetes, and so much more. The health benefits are endless. Kickstart your day with a simple, yet effective, activity like walking or riding to school. It's an incredible way for you and your children to prioritise your health and happiness.

Campaigners Living Streets say, 'A generation ago, 70% of us walked to school - now it's less than half'. To mark Walk to School Month we want to help you get walking!

Here at Spotty Otter, we know everyone can't walk to school due to a variety of factors and circumstances. While walking to school is encouraged when possible due to its numerous benefits for health, the environment, and reducing traffic congestion, it's important to recognise that individual circumstances vary, and not everyone can make walking their primary mode of transportation to school. We want to help you get walking this month, whether it's to and from school or a walk near home after school, everyone can get involved!

History of International walk to school month

Approximately four billion years ago, when upright walking first came into being, it opened a world for humans like no other. It not only served as a form of cardio but also as a gateway to other life experiences. A walk in the park with your pet, a walk through a museum on a date, a walk around tourist attractions on a trip, a walk up a hill for a gorgeous sunrise view — walking is good for the mind, body, and soul.

In addition to that, our decision to walk directly benefits the environment too! With fewer vehicles being used, the negative impact on the environment is significantly reduced with less noise, less pollution, and fewer harmful emissions leading to climate change.

5 Facts about walking we bet you didn't know

1. It requires 200 muscles to take one step.
2. Walking acts as an instant mood booster and is good for overall mental health.
3. The weirder, the better! Do your best funny walks!
4. Walking sideways actually burns more calories than walking straight.
5. An average person walks 65,000 miles in their lifetime, equal to walking three times around the Earth, WOW!

Your kids don't like walking?!

Children's preferences and attitudes towards activities like walking can vary widely based on their personalities, interests, and experiences. Some children may enjoy walking, especially if it's in a fun and engaging context, such as a nature hike, a walk to the park, or a stroll with their friends or family. However, some children may indeed prefer more active or stimulating activities over walking, particularly in today's digital age, where screens and sedentary activities can be very appealing to them. Encouraging physical activity in children is important for their overall health and well-being.

Here are our top 10 tips to make walking to or from school more enjoyable for kids

1. Scooter or Bike ride
2. Scavenger hunt
3. Play games like Eye Spy
4. Find a new route
5. Pick up sticks
6. Treasure hunt
7. Offer a reward
8. Go at their pace
9. Set them a challenge
10. Kit them out properly

As the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather; only unsuitable clothing, and getting your child correctly kitted out for walks in all seasons can make a difference in their enjoyment. With a decent pair of well-fitting wellies, some waterproof trousers, and a warm, weather-proof coat, you’re not constrained to walking only when it’s dry and mild but can head out in all weathers to jump in muddy puddles, paddle in streams, and fly kites in the wind; children often enjoy these walks more than those in mild and dry weather.