By Erin, Blaze Trails Director
As the leaves turn to vibrant reds and oranges, and warm coats and big socks make a reappearance, there’s no better time of year to fill your flasks with hot chocolate and head out into the great outdoors with your little explorers.
Autumn is the perfect time to teach your little ones about nature and explore the best that it has to offer. From filling pockets with shiny conkers, to jumping in giant puddles – you don’t need to travel far or spend a thing to have – what is in their eyes – a real adventure.
Have an adventure from your front door
Whether you live in the middle of a city or out in the wilderness, autumn will show itself. And you’ll be amazed what you can discover from your own front door.
Don’t be worried about getting wet or muddy – puddles and little people were made to be together. And at this time of year, you’ll find them in abundance. Let them run free and jump in ALL the puddles – it’ll burn off excess energy, get them laughing and keep them moving. We would heartily recommend you having a jump too!
Autumn brings with it rich pickings when it comes to animals and nature and there are lots of easy and fun activities you can do with your little ones, whatever their ages. From collecting fir cones and conkers, seeing who has left traces of nuts and acorns, to identifying leaves, mushrooms and berries and talking about where they come from and how they feed the animals – even the most energetic of little explorers will be transfixed.
There are some brilliant apps to help you identify plants and wildlife on the spot, as well as lots of creative ideas and downloads for activity packs online and on social media, which – if you’re planning ahead – are brilliant to take along with you.
Alternatively, you can just see where your adventure takes you and what you find! Fill your pockets with your spoils and bring nature home with you for an afternoon of drying off in front of the fire and make things with what you’ve found – like conker necklaces and leaf pictures. You knew your GCSE in Art would come in handy one day!
And of course, don’t forget a warm flask for everyone and a treat to keep your energy levels high!
What to wear (you and them!)
Having the right kit as the months start to turn colder is a worthy investment to keep you all happy and keep you outside for longer – but it doesn’t mean breaking the bank.
There are some brilliant options out there that don’t cost the earth, and sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Vinted and eBay are all great for picking up preloved bargains. We’d recommend sizing up on outdoor clothing wherever you can so that clothing lasts for more than one autumn/winter season.
Once your little one is no longer a baby, the same rules apply as they do with us when it comes to dressing for the weather, as they’re moving around independently and building up heat (or not if they’re lying face down on the ground refusing to move) which makes it much easier to know what you need to take along with you on a given day.
Here are our top recommendations on what to wear for your autumn outdoor adventures:
Waterproofs
Of all the things you buy, a decent pair of waterproofs will make a huge difference to your enjoyment of a walk and will keep you out for longer. Waterproofs with taped seams both for you and them will keep the water out.
For your little ones, a salopettes and jacket combination or a full suit will keep them warm and dry. If you’re layering up underneath, they don’t need to be super thick as long as they keep the water out.
There are some great brands who specifically make waterproofs for little people, such as Didriksons, Spotty Otter and Muddy Puddles that have all been tried and tested to the limit. It’s worth shopping around and doing your research before you buy. As children spend such little time in their clothes, it’s worth having a search for preloved items online too.
Breathable base layers
For both of you, the right base layer can be a game changer and for children you can get some really affordable, good quality base layer options.
Something such as merino wool will keep you all warm but also wick away sweat when doing all of that charging about. You can pick up some brilliant merino base layer sets from newborn age on sites such as Decathlon and Sports Pursuit.
They are also lovely and comfy for when you’re back home in front of the fire with your coats gently steaming!
Fleece layer
A fleece layer will keep the warmth in and is particularly useful if you have a toddler who is currently on a coat-wearing boycott.
A hardy pair of trousers
If it’s not a waterproof wearing day, a hardy pair of trousers that won’t soak in the mud will make a big difference, and there are lots of walking trouser options for toddlers on the market. Again, sites like Decathlon have really good, affordable options.
Many toddler walking trousers are adjustable on the inside and will grow with your little one to last longer.
Thick socks
Need we say more!
Hats and buffs
The more layers the better, and a buff will make your little one feel like a real explorer too!
Adult buffs work just as well on little people as they do on us, so you don’t need to go out looking for something specific if you already have something lying around the house. All you need to do now is master the art of keeping a hat on a toddler!
Gloves
Let’s be honest, they’re most likely to stay in your bag, or be put on, then pulled off, then demanded to be put on again.
Now that your little one is asserting their independence, go for gloves rather than mittens so that they can pick things up and explore with their hands.
Magic gloves are great as they grow with your little one and will last you at least a year.
Supportive footwear
Wellies are brilliant for wet weather days, but if you plan to be out walking for longer, or on uneven ground, consider a supportive pair of walking boots for your little one.
There are some great options out there. Size up from their current size and wear with thick socks. Look for something waterproof and breathable with good grip on the sole.
Suncream
Yes, really! We still get beautiful crisp autumn days when the sun is shining down on us. It may not feel warm, but we still need to protect those little rosy cheeks.
Spare clothes
As any parent of a toddler will know, once the socks are wet it’s game over. Always bring spare clothes to keep everyone happy and outside for longer.
What to take with you
As well as what you wear, taking the right things along with you will make for an enjoyable walk for everyone. Here are a few things that we find helpful:
ALL of the snacks (see bribery below): It will never be the right snack. Bring them all and use them wisely
Water and a hot drink: You don’t need special toddler-specific flasks, as they’ll love the novelty of using something for grown-ups or sharing with you
Toddler carriers: If you know you’ll find yourself carrying an uncompromising toddler for part of your walk, it may be worth considering a lightweight toddler carrier that you can stuff inside of your rucksack just in case. There are some great options out there – from structured carriers to packable carriers that attach to your rucksack straps. Again, you can pick up some great second-hand bargains online
A basic first aid kit (because toddlers have no fear): Just the basics like plasters, and antiseptic wipes are fine
Travel change kit: For if your little one is still in nappies
Bribe and distract
Let’s be honest, toddlers are unreasonable little humans. They refuse coats in freezing conditions, they want an apple which you dutifully produce only for the world to end because it’s not a pear. The best tools you can have in your armour for a successful toddler walk are bribery and distraction.
Making jumps out of sticks, finding the deepest puddles, playing pooh sticks near rivers, or looking for the characters from the Gruffalo in woodlands, will all help to distract from threatened tantrums and keep you on the move.
With that in mind though, be open-minded and don’t set your sights too high! Don’t be disheartened if you’re out for an hour and have only made it half a mile from your front door, having spent the last half carrying a screaming toddler back upside down.
Toddler walks are great fun and you can have the loveliest time without venturing far, but the reality is that you won’t be getting anywhere fast. You may have to deal with the odd tantrum, you’ll have to take every stick home with you, and they may be more interested in a car parked at the side of a road than a beautiful forest. But that is what it is all about, they’re discovering and learning all of the time.
The most important thing is that you’re having time outside together. They may be experiencing things for the very first time, and you are seeing life through their eyes, and rediscovering the things you forget to stop and notice in your busy adult life.
Embrace it all. And most importantly, just get outside and enjoy it together!
We’d love to hear about your autumn adventures and some of the things that have worked well for you. Let us know on our Facebook and Instagram pages.