Taking young children on a walk is about so much more than fresh air – it’s an opportunity for discovery, learning, and bonding. At all 3 of our Treetops ECE centres, we believe that a simple walk to the local park or library can be transformed into an exciting adventure for our preschoolers.
Benefits of Going on a Walk with Your Preschooler
Walks introduce children to their surroundings in a meaningful way. They help little ones:
- Build curiosity and observation skills as they notice new sights, sounds, and smells.
- Practice social skills and cooperation by interacting with others and learning about community spaces.
- Get moving! Physical activity is essential for motor skill development, and walking is a fun way to stay active.
Fun Things to Do on Walks with Your Under-5
For under-5s, every step is an opportunity for exploration. Try these ideas to make walks even more engaging:
- Play “I Spy” to encourage observation skills.
- Collect leaves or small treasures that can be used in art projects later.
- Talk about colors, shapes, and sounds to build vocabulary.
- Count steps or things you see along the way to reinforce early math skills.
Our Adventures at Treetops ECE Centres
At our ECE centres, we love taking children on walks to our local park and/or libraries. These trips give the children the opportunity to connect with our community and let their natural curiosity lead the way. When we visit the library, children enjoy exploring new books and learning the importance of community spaces and cultures. At the park, they practice gross motor skills by running, climbing, and playing together.
Every outing is an adventure, where our children learn, grow, and make precious memories. We take all safety precautions when we are out and about with our tamariki. Please view our excursion policy by clicking here.
In this very interesting quick read, the Crywolf Journal gives valuable tips on hiking with children as well as some more benefits of walking together as a family.
Let’s get active, together, Auckland families.
