If you’re a parent, you don’t need reminding how expensive kids can be, or how difficult it can be to incorporate healthy activity and adventure into family outings.
Fortunately, there are options that won’t break the bank, and if you can get to the start by train, you can save CO2, save on parking, and save hassle getting to and from the start. Remember, with a Family & Friends Railcard, adults save 30% and kids save a whopping 60% on rail fares. If you’ve never taken bikes on a train before, I rather strongly suggest that you read my Bikes On Trains guide first, as it’s packed full of information.
Where to go and what to do?
The What to do part is easy: take the kids on a cycling adventure! The Where part depends entirely on you, but this interactive map shows you loads of traffic-free cycle routes, all rated by café stops, toilet availability, surface quality and more.
Handily, each route guide has an up-to-date weather forecast, as well as an interactive map, and most route guides tell you about different options for getting to the route.
So, just a bike ride?
Well, it can be just a bike ride, if that’s what you want, but it can also be SO much more! Instead of stopping at cafés, consider packing a picnic. Kids love picnics out in nature. Take your time, stop often, and challenge your kids to identify various plants, or insects, that you encounter along the way. If you don’t know them either, that’s OK, and part of the adventure. Simply fire up Google Lens, or similar, to help you identify them.
Think big!
How about an overnight adventure? Many routes have camp sites on, or very close to the trail. A decent tent doesn’t have to cost a lot, and kids tend to love camping! Even better, have them carry, and pitch their own tent (with a little help from you, if needed). The sense of achievement they’d feel is simply enormous!
Think small!
You know your kids best, so tailor your adventure according to their abilities. Though kids would love to carry camping gear on their own bikes, it’s best to let them carry light-weight items, such as a sleeping bag, while you carry the bulk of items on your bike.
Kids can have limitless energy, but they can also tire quickly. Stop often, and make mini-rests part of the experience. Also carry riding snacks, to keep their energy levels up. In addition to that, carry emergency food (just in case). Cordial concentrate would be better than carrying lots of juice, as you can usually get water along the way. Just remember, always top up ALL your water bottles at every available opportunity.
Think outside the box!
Parents often play “Count X-colour cars” or similar games when driving any distance, to distract, and entertain their kids. When outside of the car, you can do SO much better. For starters, give your kids a challenge, like the first one to spot a red flower gets a small reward. Other options include researching the area (especially landmarks) and challenging your kids to try and be first to spot any such landmark.
Also do a race, but a slow race. The rules are simple: see who takes the longest time to cycle between two markers (usually no more than 10 metres apart) without putting a foot down on the ground.
Think adventure!
Now you have plenty of options what to do with your kids during the summer holidays. Going on an adventure, or better yet, several such adventures, will broaden their horizons, give them (and you!) healthy exercise and fresh air. If you want, you can turn it into a mini digital detox.
Kids love adventure, and will remember these for years to come. And you know what? So will you!