Everything looks different in 2020 and Walk to School Day is no different.
This year, we are inspiring kids and parents to walk, roll and stroll across the Kansas City region throughout the month of October.
Looking for fun fall activities for your family? Follow Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and Live Well JoCo social media accounts for local park recommendations every Friday during the month of October!
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Live Well JoCo
Facebook | Instagram
As the weather gets colder and the leaves start to change, join the Jackson County Health Department in celebrating #FallFridays with a scavenger hunt! Move your body, get some fresh air, and enjoy nature. Each week, they will feature a new trail on their social media (@jacksoncountyhd) where you can find items on their list. Think you can find them all? Be sure to tag them on social media with pictures of your fall finds and completed scavenger hunt list.
Jackson County Health Department
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Celebrate Walktober with Kansas City Parks & Recreation! Walk, ride or run a different trail every Sunday in October! The month of October is ideal for exercising outside — the temperatures are cool and the colors are spectacular. Walktober makes the most of this great season by inviting participants on a tour of autumn’s most vibrant landscapes and inspiring everyone to make movement a priority! Dogs on leashes are welcome.
View the Walktober event calendar
With The Walking Detective™ from KC Healthy Kids, kids can conduct walking audits to find clues and collect evidence to show how walkable their communities are. They can build a case report to show city officials what things are working well and what things need to be improved.
A scoring guide helps them evaluate sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic, safety and amenities like parks and benches. They gather evidence by taking photos, drawing pictures and maps, and making notes, then put their findings in a letter to their city leaders.
Spending time in nature reduces stress and elevates our mood. Check out Green Works in Kansas City's Exploring Nature in the City to find nearby sites for getting a healthy dose of nature, along with a list of essential items to have on hand.
The ECOS program for 4th-8th graders includes hikes, bird watching, identification of native trees and plants, nature art projects and more. ECOS is offered on Saturdays during the school year at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, near 47th and Troost and at Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park.
Check out the new retail space at 506 E. 31st Street, Kansas City, Missouri. It's open for First Fridays and sells well-curated used goods and entrepreneurial products made by students in their Green Lab.
Walking and biking benefit your health, your wallet and the environment. Whether you’re running errands or visiting local parks and trails, the Kansas City region is a great place to explore. The Regional Trails & Bikeways Map will help you find the best route for your trip and find new places to explore.