Primary schools
walking and staying active during lockdown
This page is for all teachers, school staff, parents, carers and all families with children of primary school age.
To help keep children active and engaged, we're releasing free weekly activities and resources. Find them all below!
#walkingfromhome
If you live in England, now is the time to take action in your area!
The latest government guidance suggests that some schools may be able to reopen from June, in England, and for specific age groups only.
Councils are encouraged to introduce School Streets and expected to make significant changes to make streets safer for social distancing.
Our online letter writing tool allows you to contact your local councillors and tailor the letter to your school’s needs.
free resources and activities
We will be releasing new resources and fun activities on a weekly basis, so keep coming back for more.
If taking part in some of the activities outdoor, please make sure you follow the government’s rules for your area/nation, and wash your hands when you get home.
week commencing
1 June
Share
Sometimes it’s easier to walk and talk. Whilst out for a walk, talk to your child about how they are feeling using these activities to make it fun and playful.
share the fun
Share your children's creations on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
week commencing
25 May
Celebrate
As we near the end of National Walking Month, we’re still in the mood for celebrating! Join in on this week's activities.
share the fun
Share your children's creations on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
week commencing
18 May
connect
Stepping outside and giving this week’s activities a go will inspire children to stay connected with friends and family!
share the fun
Share your children's letters, drawings, and pictures on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
week commencing
11 May
imagine
Nothing sparks imagination quite like a good walk! This week’s activities are designed to inspire fantasy, encouraging children to re-write the world around them.
share the fun
Share your children's drawings and stories on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
week commencing
4 May
discover
This week's theme is all about exploring your local area safely. The resource features two outdoor activities, one for the little ones and one for older children, plus one special indoor challenge.
share the fun
Share your children's photos and drawings from your walk on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
Week commencing
27 April
draw your walk
share the fun
Share your children's drawings from your walk on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
week commencing
20 April
SCAVENGER HUNT
Turn your daily walk into a fun scavenger hunt. Simply download our handy checklist and tick items off as you spot them during the week.
share the fun
Share your children's walks, thoughts, pics and videos from your scavenger hunt on social media using:
#walkingfromhome
READ OUR TOP LOCKDOWN FAMILY STORIES
#WalkingFromHome: Dame Sarah Storey
Dame Sarah Storey tells us what opportunities the lockdown has created for her family.
07.04.2020
#WalkingFromHome: Hector
6 year-old Hector has swapped his birthday party for a walking challenge to raise money for the NHS.
17.04.2020
#WalkingFromHome: The Teacher
Teaching from home is no walk in the park, but a walk in the park is helping this teacher.
28.04.2020
let's stay connected
During this time, it is important that we stay connected in every way we can and share any positive experiences. Tell us about your walks, and share your thoughts, pics and videos on social media using #WALKINGFROMHOME
💚 We're loving this family's #walkingfromhome snaps. Nice to see their cat is getting involved in the #dailyexercise too 🐱 pic.twitter.com/sjgUZR9pRW
— Living Streets (@livingstreets) April 14, 2020
👨👩👦👦Paralympian & Active Travel Commissioner for @SheffCityRegion, @DameSarahStorey has been telling us what opportunities #lockdown has created for her family.
— Living Streets (@livingstreets) April 8, 2020
⤵️ Read our latest #walkingfromhome blog for inspo on staying safe & active during #COVID19 https://t.co/sajrt85xZz
Great to see🌎cities finding more street space for social distancing & can't wait to see @HackneyCouncil's filtering plans. We'd like to see priority given to streets with shops, near parks and in areas with flats/high pop. density. @jonburkeUK @bricycle https://t.co/rS1P5GQovZ
— LondonLivingStreets (@LDN_LS) April 13, 2020
Inspired by #CaptainTomMoore, 6-year-old Hector has swapped his birthday party for a walking challenge to help raise money for the #NHS.
— Living Streets (@livingstreets) April 17, 2020
💚 We think Hector is awesome.
📽️ That's why he's our first #walkingfromhome vlogger!
😃 #FridayFeeling sorted!https://t.co/RpU8zAgiS6
Latest updates on our Walk to School initiatives
WOW - the year-round walk to school challenge
Pupils record how they get to school on the WOW Travel Tracker and those who walk once per week for a month are rewarded with a themed badge.
It's simple to run, fun and easy to take part. Just a few minutes of a teacher's day is all it takes to make a big difference.
And together with our free monthly curriculum-aligned learning resources and assembly presentations, WOW will help develop healthy lifelong habits.
Walk to School Week
Our annual week-long celebration of the walk to school will take place in October 2020 (exact week TBC) - Join the FUN!
Month-long Walking Challenge
Help primary school pupils start to feel the benefits of regular activity by taking part in our month-long challenge.
Happy Shoesday
Wear the shoes that make you happy, have fun and help us create safer, walkable streets for all.
Why the Walk to School matters
Happier children
It’s been proven that children who do some form of exercise, especially a walk before school, do better in class because they arrive refreshed, fit and ready to learn.
Less congestion
During morning peak traffic times, one in five cars on the road are taking children school, contributing to congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions.
We need urgent action on air pollution to protect and promote the Walk to School. And yet, at the same time, the Walk to School could play such a big part in improving our air quality.
Our report Swap The School Run For The School Walk lays out 21 recommendations for decision-makers at all levels to enable more children to walk to and from school.
Parents and carers
If you’re a parent or carer there are lots of ways we can help get your and your family walking.
Our Family Walk to School Kit is designed to help parents, carers and children make the walk to school work for them.
Want to talk to the team?
If you want to talk to us about getting more children walking to school, just drop us a line.