Families encouraged to step in the right direction this spring

Scottish walking charity, Paths For All, shares ten ways to add fun activities to the familiar family stroll!

Article Source: Paths For All
Last Updated: 13 April 2021 15:46

With longer evenings and warmer weather ahead, a Scottish walking charity is revealing its top ten tips to inspire families to embrace the outdoors and engage with nature.

This comes after Paths for All launched its Spring Path Day campaign which includes 30 days of activity ideas, an online content hub, and £1000 worth of outdoor educational prizes for schools and children to win throughout April.
The charity understands that many families may feel bored of their usual walking routes, and hopes the hub will provide a variety of ideas to keep younger children entertained while enjoying time spent connecting with nature and making memories.

Information has been designed to motivate families to go outdoors and get moving in a free and safe way, with activities including treasure hunts, wildlife spotting and creative walking.

As walking has been one of the only reasons many have had to leave the house for months, Paths for All has pulled together ten things for families to try outdoors this spring:

1. Make a Treasure Trail
Make up a trail and the first one to complete it could receive a prize at the end.

2. Wildlife spotting
Take a notepad on your walk and make notes on any interesting wildlife you spot – you could turn it into a game and the person with the most points wins.

3. Build a Den
Woodlands are great for den building and helps kids solve problems and work together creatively.

4. Creative walking
Simply moving helps soothe our minds, and being creative adds to that. Let nature inspire your creativity.

5. Walk with another person
Invite a friend for a walk today and show them where you like to go and why – following Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines.

6. Walking Games
Come up with fun games to play on your walks, example – eye spy, left or right, spring nature spotting.

7. Step count or distance challenge
Release your inner competitiveness and challenge someone (or yourself) to get a certain number of daily steps or mileage.

8. Take a picnic
Pack a rucksack with your favourite snacks and drinks and head off along a path for an alfresco lunch.

9. Do a litter pick
Help to look after your favourite paths and places. If you’ve spotted some annoying litter – bag it up and bin it responsibly.

10. Be wise outside
We’re lucky to be able to access our countryside freely so make sure to treat the Scottish landscape in a responsible way whilst out and about.

Regular walks can help keep Scots safe while allowing us to meet up and spend time with family and friends. It has been brought into focus during the pandemic how positive getting outdoors is to boost mental, physical and social well-being.

Rona Gibb, Senior Manager at Paths for All, said: “Fresh air, being outdoors and connecting with nature is not only positive for our physical and mental health, it is also a fun way to socialise with others safely.

“Walking is key to leading a happy and healthy life. As we move into spring there is no better time to incorporate it into your family routine, even if it is just a short walk to school or round the block.

“The Spring Path Days online hub provides a tonne of ideas for families, and will offer something to suit all interests – there is also a host of competitions to get involved in!”

The charity encourages families across Scotland to get involved in its seasonal campaign by sharing a photo of what they have been doing this spring.

All participants will be entered automatically into a prize draw which will see 10 individuals win a den-building kit.

One lucky winner will also win a £500 voucher for their school to spend on outdoor educational resources.

Enter here: form.typeform.com

Paths for All’s focus is clear: it wants to get Scotland walking: everyone, every day, everywhere.

For more information on Paths for All, visit: www.pathsforall.org.uk

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

Gilded Balloon launches Postcode Pals

Gilded Balloon launches a rewards scheme with £6 tickets now available for local residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows - including Rosie O'Donnell, Jack Docherty, Kim Blythe and more!

Summer savers tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the Edinburgh Playhouse!

Sheila Fleet Jewellery celebrates grand opening of new Edinburgh retail premises on Hanover Street

Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.

Calling artists and makers!

Leith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

Manran to headline as Innis & Gunn bring the best of Scotland to the Mound for Fringe 2025

Scottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches the summer edition of its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!

Traverse Theatre announces Autumn 2025 season

Hot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.

New Edinburgh hotspot, The West End Garden, opens in the grounds of St Marys Cathedral

Edinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Launches Search for Director of Mischief

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Today, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.

Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

This summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Families will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.

The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

This week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.

Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Newtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.

Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.

DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.

Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

A Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.

Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

Fife & Forth Bridge Steam Train Journey Announced

Departing on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall

Families encouraged to step in the right direction this spring

Scottish walking charity, Paths For All, shares ten ways to add fun activities to the familiar family stroll!

Sponsored Links

Latest Edinburgh News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings