Inside: 4 Reasons to go on a walking holiday with your kids. Collaborative post.
Modern family life is a whirlwind of busy schedules and screens. Finding time for genuine connection in day-to-day routines can be challenging, so families often turn to holidays for it.
A walking holiday, in particular, offers an incredible experience for both adults and the little ones. Here are four main reasons to do it.
Reason 1: Unplug and reconnect
A walking holiday is exactly what it sounds like – you typically spend 5-8 days getting from one place to another using no other means than by foot, whether it’s walking the coast of Portugal from Porto to Baiona or the Scottish Highlands from Inverness to Fort Williams. This journey provides an opportunity to completely disconnect from the digital distractions (televisions, internet, work, emails) and immerse in the shared experience.
Walking side-by-side, families naturally engage in organic dialog and get excited to reach the final goal. It’s a shared challenge, where people can deepen their understanding and learn something new about each other.
Reason 2: Nurturing healthy habits
Walking and spending time in nature is incredibly beneficial, both in terms of physical and mental well-being. Physically, it improves cardiovascular health and builds stamina, while mentally it can reduce stress and boost moods.
It’s a much-needed break from social anxieties and work / school pressures, without the usual escape of screen time. Crucially, children learn to associate physical activity with discovery and enjoyment, establishing a positive foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle.
Reason 3: Learning and discovery
Walking holidays turn the outdoors into one interactive classroom, filled with educational opportunities for the children. Unlike the classroom or books, children get to engage directly with their environment. For instance, if you choose to walk the Camino Portugués coastal route, you will see a lot of unique geological formations, visit fishing villages, spot a variety of seabirds and other native flora and fauna.
Besides the landscapes, you will also get to experience the local culture and history first-hand, from the cuisine to the language differences. This type of learning is immensely important for kids, but parents will take a lot away from it too.
Reason 4: A sense of accomplishment
Walking for a week, every single day, is not easy. While specialist travel agencies like Santiago Ways can help you organise the logistics and a child-friendly itinerary, the daily progress will be down to you and your own resilience.
Each day brings small, achievable goals, like reaching the next village or conquering a hill. As you successfully navigate these challenges, regardless of tiredness or a bit of rain, you get an immense sense of achievement by the end of each day.
And, at the end of the holiday, once you reach the very final stop, the feeling of reward and accomplishment will be simply ecstatic. You will undoubtedly feel proud of each other for overcoming the hurdles and doing something meaningful together as a family.
Creating shared stories
Who would have thought that something as simple as walking can offer that many benefits to a family! From deepening your bonds to learning about new cultures, it’s far more than just a holiday – it’s an experience that will create family memories to cherish forever.