Over the past nine months, our little family spent most of our time at home. Our neighborhood walks became our main outings, our therapy, and our shared joy. By turning ordinary walks into small adventures, we watched our son’s imagination bloom and discovered how much wonder can be found close to home.
Many families are adjusting to holidays and traditions that feel different after an already difficult year. I wanted to share what has helped our household rediscover delight and safety in everyday moments—simple ideas you can try on your own walks or drives.
The Item I Never Leave Home Without
I manage several chronic health issues, and nausea is a frequent, unpredictable challenge. Years ago someone suggested ginger chews, and they quickly became essential. I keep them on my nightstand, in my purse and in the car—ready whenever I need them. They’re sweet, spicy, comforting, and they really help settle my stomach.
Beyond their practical value, ginger chews have become a small comfort for our whole family—friends, pregnant relatives, and even my husband and son enjoy them. Having this little reliable item on hand makes getting out the door easier, and it’s helped us feel prepared for our neighborhood outings.
Sunday Family Strolls
Early in our time at home, a relative mentioned driving to different neighborhoods just to walk and see new streets. We adopted the idea and now explore corners of the city we hadn’t visited in years. Our routine is simple: stroller, snacks, a big water bottle, a few ginger chews, and a coffee shop order to enjoy along the way.
My partner and I like to notice the architecture and casually guess home prices, but for our three-year-old we needed more playful engagement. So we started turning every element of the sidewalk into a story: a cracked tile becomes a secret trap door, a gate hides a secret garden, a patch of moss is home to tiny trolls. We leap over imaginary rivers, walk balance-beam curbs to avoid lava, and sing our way through tree canopies that become tunnels.
These games force us to put down our phones and be present. We take the same playful approach on short walks around the block or while driving to a nearby neighborhood. The result has been delightful: our son’s imaginative play has exploded. Ordinary spots become stages for stories, and he delights in discovering magic in small things.
Ideas for Turning Walks (and Drives!) into an Adventure
Here are simple prompts and games we use to spark imagination during walks:
- A loose sidewalk tile becomes a secret trap door.
- A bump from a root or curb is a rollercoaster hill to race down.
- Moss on the ground becomes a hiding place for tiny trolls.
- Small gates become pathways to secret gardens.
- Tiny doors near foundations are homes for mischievous fairies.
- Retaining walls and curbs turn into balance beams.
- A stream of water becomes a river to hop over.
- Shimmering light can be a fairy visiting for a moment.
- Tree canopies or tunnels become spaces where you sing until you emerge on the other side.
We also play simple observation and movement games:
- Find a leaf, door, or flower in every color of the rainbow.
- Tap a stick on different surfaces—tree bark, fence, ground—and compare the sounds.
- Spot a rolly polly or follow a line of ants to see where they go.
- Walk the curb balance beam and return without falling.
- Hop over the cracks in the sidewalk like stepping stones.
We collect small treasures for crafts after walks: rocks to paint, leaves to weave, petals for collages, and other found objects that become ingredients for pretend “stone soup.” Lately holiday decorations add extra excitement, so we play “I spy” or small scavenger hunts to find lights, wreaths, or festive displays.
Before this year, our outings often included museums, botanical gardens, playgrounds and other destinations. Now the walk itself has become the destination—a creative, educational, and playful experience. It’s been beautiful to see our child transform ordinary streets into landscapes of imagination.
I love hearing him yell “TUNNEL!” when a row of trees arches over the sidewalk, or watching him pause to greet imaginary trolls at a patch of moss. Those moments of childhood wonder feel fleeting and precious, and I’m grateful to experience them on each new stroll.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Small preparations—a few treats, a thoughtful game, and a willingness to notice—can turn routine walks into meaningful family rituals. These moments have helped our family find joy close to home, and I hope some of these ideas inspire you to look for everyday magic in your own neighborhood.