I’ve a new feature on some of my traffic-free route guides: Fairy Trails. Fairy Trails are additional, GPS-enabled, mini adventures, aimed at kids 3 to 5 years old. Taking kids on a bike ride can be a great adventure in itself, but kids have fertile imaginations. That’s why we read them fairy tales. And also why I built the Fairy Trails feature!
How it works…
Routes with an active Fairy Trail will let you know: simply scroll down, and beneath the map it will tell you which Fairy Trail is active along that route. You will see where the Fairy Trail starts, and where it ends. Go have a look if there’s already a Fairy Trail on your nearest traffic-free cycle route.
When cycling the route, turn the volume up on your phone, and keep the screen on. You will hear a fairy-like voice announce when you’re at the start, and the voice will give the child(ren) instructions.
For the Tinker Bell’s Lost Sparkle Dust, the first you’ll hear is this being spoken aloud:
“Oh, hello! Thank goodness you’re here! I’m Tinker Bell, and I’ve had the most terrible morning. My sparkle dust has gone ALL along this path and I simply can’t carry it all back by myself. Will you help me? Each time you reach one of my collecting spots, I’ll need you to do a special movement – it’s the only way to catch sparkle dust, you see. Off you go, the first batch is just up ahead!”
That will be followed by this:
“Everyone wave both hands above your heads, fingers wiggling, and count to ten while doing it. Perfect! You’re natural sparkle-catchers!”
Familiarity
I rather strongly suggest that you first ride the route by yourself, and listen to the “fairy” talking. That will ensure you know what to expect, and also roughly where to expect it. Every one of the 7 stops along the Fairy Trail has an activity for kids to do, and one of them is a picnic stop.
Since it won’t be you telling the kids to stop and eat their snack, but rather Tinker Bell telling them, I’m hoping they’ll simply fall in line with it. I also suggest you tell them that Tinker Bell (on this particular adventure) is hiding during the daylight, so they won’t be able to see her, but that they would be able to hear her. If any kids question the sound only coming from your phone, simply tell them she can talk through your phone.
Why?
Wrong question! A better question is this: why not? Kids love fairy tales, and they love being outside. Combine both into a semi-interactive adventure that incorporates healthy exercise, and a snacking stop.
Bespoke stories
I can change the Fairy Trail story on any trail, and if you have a great idea for a story that’s tailor-made for a traffic-free route near you, please just let me know, and I’d be delighted to include it. After all, local knowledge is best.
I’m afraid I can’t customise the storylines for any particular child, as they’re public, and doing so risks making it less fun for other kids who might be doing the same Fairy Trail.