The International Walk to School Month is run by UK national charity Living Streets and funded by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.

The campaign hopes to encourage all school aged Brits to walk to school with encouragement from their parents, who will hopefully turn in the car keys, abandon the school run and walk with their kids to school.

Throughout the month fun activities and challenges will take place, highlighting the need for children to do more than just P.E once a week.

The International Walk to School Month follows research which claims 50% of seven to eleven year olds do not achieve the recommended 1 hour of exercise each day plus separates studies which suggest that 25% of all children in the UK will be obese by 2050. Read more: UK Set for Obesity Epidemic

“Walking to school is a brilliant way to get exercise and some fresh air into your day,” says Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets.

“When children are bundled from front door to car door, they miss out on the opportunity to socialise with friends, get to know their community, and burn off some energy before getting their heads down in the books.”

To help mums, dads, guardians and children make the most out of International Walk to School Month the Walk to School website is offering lots of practical ‘get active’ tips.

“We would love everyone who normally drives the school run to use this month as an excuse to try walking,” adds Armstrong.

“We think you’ll be amazed at how enjoyable a regular walk can be; a chance to spend real quality time together, and reap health rewards for all the family.”

Teachers are also being encouraged to help their pupils reach recommended levels of exercise with the ‘WoW Walking Zones’ pack- a year-round scheme which rewards pupils who walk regularly with a collectable badge each month.

The new and free ‘WoW Walking Zones’ pack will show teachers how to create a defined area around the school, inside which every pupil is encouraged to walk in order to claim their badge.  It’s a fantastic, simple scheme, which means that even those who live too far out to walk the whole way can still take part. 

For the International Walk to School Month tips for parents, children and teachers, as well as more information on the International Walk to School Month go to: www.walktoschool.org.uk.

Read more: Nina Hasinski explains how taking a holiday can be good for all the family and contribute to the fight to reduce childhood obesity.  Go to: Active Ways To Beat Child Obesity