Before you go:

• Firstly, do your research. Are there toilets? Does the car park charge?
• Do you have everything you need? Make your own checklist of your "walking essentials" and pin it to your fridge! Protect them (and you). Hats! Sunscreen! Insect repellent!
• Consider an adventure backpack – maybe a magnifying glass, binoculars, logbook… anything your child engages with.
• Buy a bag for collecting “treasure” – we always stick by the rule of “leave no trace” so we don’t pick flowers or anything still living, but we love collecting items off the ground and making things with them when we’re home.
• “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” Buy some waterproofs and wellies – for you and your kids.  Elasticated legs are great for kids as it stops the water getting into the wellies (elastic bands over the waterproofs also does the trick).  This means puddles are fair game!
• Make sure you are ‘tick aware’ – they are nasty little blighters and can be found in woodlands and long grass, mainly in the spring and summer. Consider loose trousers for your kids if walking in these environments.
• Have an “outdoors bag” in the car – we have a spare set of clothes, wellies, wipes, a towel, first aid kit and a few “long-life” refreshments.
• I don’t say “we’re going for a walk” – I pitch it as an adventure, or at least say “we’re going on a treasure hunt”.