Featured Activity: Find a StoryWalk®
Published on July 11, 2022 - Updated on July 11, 2022
Have you and your kids experienced a StoryWalk® yet? StoryWalks are a great family activity to get you outside AND get your kids excited about reading!
What is a StoryWalk®?
A StoryWalk is basically a walk along which you’ll find a children’s picture book broken down and displayed page by page. You start at the beginning and read the first page, walk to the next and read it, then the next and the next, etc. At the end of the walk, you have finished the book! Many StoryWalks also include questions to consider about each page, or activities that relate to the story. For example, if a character is flying a kite, then the page might prompt you to pretend to fly your kite over to the next page!
Why do a StoryWalk®?
First off, they are fun! The concept was created to promote literacy, reading, health, exercise, and movement, and those are all things we love. It’s a great way to get bookworms outside moving, and also a great way to get energetic kids reading. It gives kids something to do and get excited about while burning off some excess energy. Many places will host StoryWalks with a theme-- for example, we read a Pinkalicious book about cherry blossoms during a Cherry Blossom Festival, and one about Juneteenth around the holiday, so it's a great way to learn about something new as well! StoryWalks are also free, so it’s a fun activity accessible to everyone.
Where can you find a StoryWalk®?
StoryWalks have been around for a while but have really caught on recently with social distancing fueling their popularity. The StoryWalk concept was created by Anne Ferguson in Montpelier, VT in 2007. The walks are now hosted in every state and many other countries all over the world outside in places such as libraries, museums, nature trails, playgrounds, parks, and more.
If you want to find a local StoryWalk, check websites or call:
- Local Libraries - even if they don’t host them, they may know who does.
- Parks & Rec Department - many cities host walks in local parks and playgrounds.
- Museums - children’s museums, science museums, even aquariums.
- State Parks - or any place with hiking or nature trails!
Note: StoryWalk® is a registered trademark, and while many, many places get permission to use the name, you may also find the same concept in your area with non-trademarked names like Story Book Trail, Book Walk, Path of Pages, etc.
Have you and your kids ever done a StoryWalk? If you try one out, tag us in it on Instagram @gethappyly for a chance to be featured!
Interested in other fun activities that will get the kids outside? Read up on our Building a Family Garden article or how to Build a Bug Hotel!
For even more local activities and attractions at your fingertips, be sure to download the happyly app, the country's only mobile-first family activity planning app, for fast access to all of our frequent blog content, favorite activities, and expertly designed curated days, both locally and in many communities and travel destinations across the country.