Family walk planner

See how long a walk with children should take, allowing for a slower pace and stops.

Your details

A 3.0 mile family walk

1 hr 50 min

with breaks every half hour

Walking time at 2 mph1 hr 30 min
Breaks2 (snacks, puddles, sticks)
Active minutes for the children90 minutes moving, a full day's 60 in the UK guide
Out and back?turn round before half the energy is gone

Go at the pace of the youngest legs and plan the walk to end before tiredness sets in. A carrier or buggy as back up saves tears.

The working

3 miles at 2 mph

3 miles at 2 mph is 1 hr 30 min of walking. A break every half hour means two stops, so with 10 minute breaks plan on 1 hr 50 min.

Hills

Climbing at small leg speed

Naismith's rule adds an hour for every 600 m of climb for a fit adult walking at about 5 km an hour. Children and slower groups climb more slowly too, so the page scales that hour by your group's pace: at 2 mph, 150 m of climb adds about 23 minutes rather than 15.

Active minutes

It all counts

The UK Chief Medical Officers suggest children and young people average at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day, across the week. A brisk family walk counts, and the page shows how much of the 60 the walk covers.

How far for little ones?

A rough guide

Every child is different. As a starting point, many families find under 5s manage 1 to 2 miles with a carrier or buggy as back up, and older children 3 to 5 miles on a good day. Let them set the pace.

Make it fun

Keeping everyone going

A treasure hunt or I spy
A snack stop with a view
Let them lead the way at junctions
Finish somewhere with a treat or a playground

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

TerrainRough ground and hills slow little legs a lot.
WeatherChildren get cold faster than adults.
Health needsAsk your GP about any condition that affects walking.

Questions

Common questions

How far can a 5 year old walk?

Often 1 to 3 miles with breaks, though it varies a lot.

How fast do children walk?

Young children often manage 1.5 to 2 mph on a family walk.

How do I keep children walking?

Games, snacks and a goal at the end work wonders.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Before you push on

New to exercise, or got a heart, lung or joint condition? Have a word with your GP or practice nurse first. Stop and get help if you feel chest pain, faintness or unusual breathlessness, and call 999 if it is severe.