Keep Your Preschool-aged Child Engaged by Enjoying the Outdoors Together

Walking with your preschool-aged child can be a fun experience if you can avoid the pleas to be carried. Once a child is past the toddler stage, there is no need to use a stroller for a casual walk. Here are some ideas to keep your preschooler moving and avoid wishing you brought the stroller.

Make it Short

Walking is a great exercise that can be enjoyed by all ages. Create a love of walking in your preschooler by keeping your expectations small. This is not the time to focus on your exercise regimen, but instead focus on cultivating a love of exercise and a love of the outdoors in your child. It is important to keep the walk short. Younger preschoolers will be able to handle a walk around the block or about a twenty minute walk if you live outside of a neighborhood.

Bring Something to Push

If a young child has something to push, he is more likely to keep walking than if he has empty hands. Toy lawn mowers or toy strollers make good push toys for a walk. Preschoolers love to imitate their parents and pushing a small version of a grown-up piece of equipment makes them feel big. They will be less likely to ask to be carried if they have the responsibility of their own push toy.

Discover Nature

Small children can get bored easily on a walk if they are not engaged. Some are great at keeping themselves engaged, but others need direction. Point out interesting things along the way, like the puppy in the neighbor's back yard or the sticks along the side of the road. Find wild flowers growing on the side of the road. Be willing to stop and smell the flowers. Find and toss maple tree seeds into the air. These seeds will spin down like helicopters and are fun for children and parents.

Race

If your little one is losing interest and you are running out of distractions, race to a nearby landmark. Pick a sign or mailbox that is a little more than a few feet away and race your child to it. Or ask him to leap like a lemur or run like a cheetah to the sign if you aren't up for a race.

Walking with preschoolers can be very rewarding. It is exciting to see your young child discover the world around him. Use this time to cultivate a love of exercise and the outdoors in your preschooler. Most importantly, have fun with your preschooler!