Step Up The Fun: 13 Ways to Make Walking More Exciting

Walking is a free way to look after your physical and mental health that is ready and waiting at your doorstep. Round the cul-de-sac, to the park or over the hills, there are routes for everyone. 

Here are some ideas if you like having something to do on your walk, or want to turn it into a fun family activity.

1. Scavenger Hunt
   Add an element of adventure to your walks by giving you and your children a list of things to spot outside. A tree, a bird, a yellow flower: the longer the list, the longer the walk.
2. Take A Penny
   No need to plan a route, let chance guide you! Assign the heads and tails of a coin either left or right, and flip to decide which way you’ll go at every corner. With this game, you never know where you might end up.
3. Catch The Shadow
   When walking in a pair or in a group, try and step on the shadow belonging to the person in front of you. If you’re the leader, don’t make it easy – throw some zigs and zags in there!
4. Story Quest
   Combine literature and physical activity by walking in the footsteps of a book character. Using Culture in Common’s free story trails, you can either follow Cyril the Squirrel around Ballard Water Meadows or follow Ethan, Emily and their four-legged friend, Jester around Gang Warily.
5. Geocaching
   An outdoor treasure hunt awaits! Using the Geocaching App you’ll track hidden treasures located at specific coordinates.

1. Listen to a podcast
   Enhance your knowledge or gain new perspectives by putting your headphones in and listening to a podcast. Whether your interests are historical, true-crime or self-care, there’s plenty of things to help you pass the time while getting fresh air.
2. Phone a friend
   Catch-up with a family or friend and share stories of the day or get something off your chest. It’s a great way to make walking a social activity. 
3. Augmented Reality Mobile Games
   Pokémon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite are both examples of where physical activity meets technology. While walking through your local area, you’ll be venturing through magical worlds and undergoing quests on your screen. 

1. Forest Wellbeing Journal
   Watch the sunlight trickle through the tree’s canopy and listen to the birds. Take the time to appreciate the world around you by slowing down and filling out Forestry England’s ‘Forest Wellbeing Journal’.  
   
2. Hampshire Country Council’s Wellbeing Walks
   To help you connect with nature, Hampshire County Council have created a series of self-guided sensory trails for all ages and abilities in accessible urban and green locations across Hampshire.
3. Join A Local Group
   Visit the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Activity Finder to find a walking group at the right pace, price and place for your needs and make this physical activity a way to meet new people and make friends. 

Walking For The Environment

1. Active Travel 
   Turn your commute into a physical activity opportunity. Instead of driving to the office or to the local shops, plan and make the time to walk instead.
    
2. Litter Picking 
   You can either join a local group who help to clean up Hampshire’s green spaces grab a bin bag and collect litter along your walk by yourself.