19 Sep 2006 10:02 PM

Fun things to do while taking a family walk or hike

Walking with children, up mountains or just around the neighborhood has taught us that whining and complaining disappears as long as we play games. Some of these games are also good for long car trips. So if your child is telling you their feet hurt and they have to sit down, please, for just five minutes, consider starting one of these:

I-spy: Whoever is IT chooses something by color, size, shape and then everyone else guesses what it is they see. Whoever guesses right is IT.

Going on a picnic: Each person says, I'm going on a picnic and I'm going to bring an apple, banana, etc. repeating all the other items then adding a next item. Each person chooses a next item that corresponds to the next letter in the alphabet. Great for memory building. Parents may have to prompt children with the alphabet letter that comes next. Making a mistake means you're out with older children.

Treasure hunt: Each person selects ten really cool things then everyone one votes on who found the most interesting ones or everyone one looks for something that is chosen, winner is the one with the most items.

Red light, green light: whoever is IT is way ahead of everyone else, works especially well with a lagging child. Whoever is IT calls red light meaning everyone stop, and green light when everyone can move. If you move during a red light you back up one step. If you touch the IT person, you're the new IT.

Make up a story: Some one starts a story by introducing a character and leaving off with a cliffhanger, then the next person adds the next part of the story and it continues until you all get tired of that scenario.

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