The after-dinner family walk
Dinner's done, dishes can wait. A walk around the block after dinner gets you moving, gets the kids outside, and gets everyone talking. Here's how to make it a habit that lasts past the first week.
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- $0
- Ages
- Any age
- Where
- Your neighborhood
What you need
- Comfortable shoes for everyone
- A flashlight or clip-on light
- Something bright or reflective to wear after dusk
- A stroller or carrier for little ones
- One phone, for emergencies
Before you go
- Sidewalks first. Where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, single file, with small kids on the side away from the road.
- Be seen. Wear bright, reflective clothing and use a light once it's getting dark. Clip a light to the stroller.
- Cross at corners or crosswalks whenever you can, and hold hands with young kids at every crossing.
- Eyes up near streets. Phones stay in pockets while anyone's crossing or walking along a road.
Steps
- Set the time and the loop. Pick a set time right after dinner and a 20- to 30-minute loop from your door.
- Shoes by the door. Keep shoes, jackets and a light by the door, and use the same words every night.
- Walk a little brisk. Walk at a talking pace that has you breathing a little harder; let kids lead a block.
- Play a walking game. Play one game: share a high, a low and something noticed, or let kids pick turns.
- Phones in pockets. One adult carries a phone for emergencies; everyone else's stays home or in a pocket.
- Tally it on the fridge. Add a tally on the fridge after each walk and aim for five a week.
If it stalls
- If the kids groan, keep the first walk short, around the block once, and let them pick the route. A short walk beats skipping it.
- If a toddler won't stay in the stroller, let them walk the last stretch home. It's slower but it's still a walk.
Walks this week (goal: 5)
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date