by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com

Going for a walk or hike is a great way to combine exercise and fun.  It's also free!  You don't need any special clothing or equipment.  You can take a walk anywhere.  And in most areas, you can find a good hiking spot with no admission fee.

Go on your own if you're feeling the need for solitude, or bring the family along.  Here are some tips to make going for a walk or hike more exciting for your kids:

- write up a quick scavenger hunt sheet for them to bring along and check off items as they see them.  It doesn't have to be a competition - just something to keep them interested!  Items on your list might include: squirrel, big rock, footprint, breeze, something that smells good, something that smells bad ... you can make these educational, unusual, easy, or just plain silly -- or a combination of all of the above!

- bring along some music for them to listen to as they walk, in case they get bored and you need something to get them through to the end of the walk.

- bring along a camera that you don't mind letting them use, and let them take pictures.  This keeps my kids engrossed for hours!

- if you have younger children, they might enjoy taking a favorite stuffed animal along, perhaps in a backpack with its head poking out of the top!

- pedometers are fun and you can get a simple one that's not expensive.  Kids love them - you can count your steps, estimate how far you walked, and more!

- kids who enjoy art might like to bring a sketchpad to draw something they find that inspires them.

- you might bring along a recorder to capture sounds from your outing.  Depending on where you go, you could record crickets chirping, birds singing, pebbles crunching underfoot, windchimes, churchbells, airplane engines ... even your own voices!

- keep it simple by just walking around your neighborhood - you'd be amazed at the many ways each walk will be different, even if you only go out for 15 minutes!

- or try a new spot to explore and discover together!  You can even make it a day trip that might include other nearby activities as well.

- make a list of good spots to choose from, so when you and your family want to go for a walk or hike on the spur of the moment, it will be easy to decide where to go.

- if your child uses a wheelchair, there may be great accessible places near you.  Google "accessible trails _______" (fill in your state).  When I googled "accessible trails Massachusetts," here's what came up:

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/universal_access/a-trail.htm

- be sure to bring along water and snacks to keep those kiddos -- and you -- well-hydrated and full of energy!