We often think of family read aloud as a cozy time spent indoors. But you can combine fresh air, exercise and books for a fun outdoor family reading experience. Have you heard of StoryWalk®?

StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story.

Created by 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, the original project was a health promotion project to get adults moving.  It was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and StoryWalks are now installed globally. To learn more about the original project, including its history, book list and FAQs with tips for developing your own project, visit the StoryWalk® webpage at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

We were lucky to have Kimberley Vance-Lundsby present an interactive workshop at the Decoda 2019 Conference on Storywalk in the Cariboo: Bridging Early Literacy and Physical Literacy in Programming. She demonstrated an inspiring addition of prompts for physical activities to carry participants between each page in the story.

Learn more about StoryWalk® in:

• Partnering Through StoryWalks®
• Take a Hike! Building Literacy Skills Through StoryWalk®
• Building Literacy Skills Through StoryWalk® now! – Boston …
• The Parks Where Kids (and Their Parents) Walk and Read at the Same Time

If you come across a StoryWalk®, take the time to read through it. And, if you’re designing a family-friendly literacy activity, think about a StoryWalk®. It’s worth checking with your local public library to see if they have a StoryWalk® kit you can borrow.