Family-friendly walks

Want to walk on the wild side--as a family? It's as simple as stepping out the door. Try one of these three easy destinations.

In your community
Find walking paths near you by downloading the American Heart Association's Walking Paths App. (And see our stroller Ratings and buying guide.)

To school
Walking a mile to and from school every day would provide about two-thirds of the physical activity kids and teens need every day (the U.S. Surgeon General recommends one hour a day of vigorous and bone-strengthening activities most days of the week). Contact your children's school or your local municipality to find out if your community participates in the national Safe Routes To School program. For more information, including details on how to set up SRTS in your community, go to www.saferoutespartnership.org.

Across the country
Go to www.americaonthemove.org to register for a virtual walk along the Oregon Trail, Pacific Crest, Iditarod, or other scenic routes in the United States. Here's how it works: At the end of each day, enter the number of steps you walked that day (if you use a pedometer) or convert the amount of time you walked using the site's online conversion charts. Then see where you are on the trail you've chosen. Once you've reached your destination, you and your kids can do an Internet search to learn more about it.

For more great ideas to get your family outside and moving this summer, see our Family fitness guide.