If you want to add a peaceful element to your next walk with your kids, go on a listening walk.
Take the time to enjoy the peace and quiet or even the hustle and bustle of your neighborhood with this fun walk idea for families.
Listen carefully… what do you hear?
You can take an informal walk where the goal is to see just how many things you can hear.
Do you hear a cricket chirping? A car horn? Tweeting birds?
Emphasize quiet where the only time someone talks is when they want to share what they hear.
This is such a nice way to wind down together as a family at the end of a busy day. Or, it’s a fun morning activity to get the day started.
You can also bring along a list of items to create a listening scavenger hunt.We keep a stack of lists on a small clipboard that’s easy to grab and take along outside. You can print out our list here or you can make your own lists.
Here are some ideas you can add to you listening walk list:
A dog barking
Cars driving by
An airplane flying overhead
Geese honking
People talking
Children giggling
The wind whispering
Buzzing bees
Crows cawing
A car door slamming
When making your list, think about the sounds you often hear in your neighborhood. If you live in the country, add a lot of nature sounds. A city walk could include vehicle noises, people, or construction noises.
Print your list here. Prints in landscape format.
Listen and learn about your neighborhood! What sorts of noises would you hear on a walk around your town?
You may also enjoy one of these outdoor family fun ideas:
10 Ways to Make a Walk More Fun
My Five Senses Walk at Great Family Reads
Originally published 8/5/2013, updated March, 2018.
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[…] Leading walks is a great way to connect with kids, away from other commitments and distractions. It also provides the kind of down time that kids (and parents) need as we all get settled in with school this fall! If you’re in the mood for some quiet time, try turning it into a listening walk. […]