In our fast-paced, screen-heavy world, finding simple ways to boost health and bring people closer can feel surprisingly challenging. Yet, research shows that regular outdoor activity and strong social connections are two of the biggest drivers of childhood happiness and long-term wellbeing.
Fortunately, you don’t need any elaborate plans or fancy equipment. Sometimes, the best remedy is simply going for a walk. The NHS notes that daily outdoor walking actively lowers stress hormones such as cortisol and releases feel-good endorphins. Not only that, but it can help children and adults build mental resilience.
Here, the Dutch tradition of avondvierdaagse could serve as inspiration. Keep reading to find out what exactly avondvierdaagse is and how you could apply its principles to everyday life right here in the UK.
Avondvierdaagse is a celebration of movement, community, and the outdoors
Dutch children consistently rank as some of the happiest in the world, with data from UNICEF confirming this. Though a variety of factors come into play, the amount of support they receive from family, friends, and teachers keeps their scores high.
A key example of this is avondvierdaagse, which gets families out and walking, rain or shine.
Literally translating to “four-day evening walk”, avondvierdaagse is a beloved national walking festival in the Netherlands that occurs in early summer each year.
Hundreds of thousands of children, parents, and teachers head into their towns and cities to complete a 5km or 10km route each night. For four consecutive evenings, they explore their local parks and neighbourhoods together.
Organised entirely by local volunteers, avondvierdaagse is a celebration of community, outdoor life, and what the Dutch call “gezelligheid”, a unique word that describes a warm atmosphere and cosy togetherness.
While this is a uniquely Dutch festival, you can easily adapt its core philosophies and apply them to your life. Here are five ways to do just that.
1. Schedule regular family walks
Make walking a predictable, scheduled part of your weekly routine rather than an occasional outing. Try setting aside two evenings a week after dinner or a dedicated weekend slot to explore local footpaths, parks, or quiet neighbourhood loops.
- The Wildlife Trusts make it easy to find a walk or hike near you.
- In conjunction with Forestry England, the World Wildlife Fund has created 20 forest trails across the country to explore.
By keeping distances appropriate for your family, you can also ensure that the walk stays enjoyable for younger children.
2. Invite friends and family to join you
The magic of avondvierdaagse comes from encouraging the group dynamic. So, consider inviting grandparents, cousins, neighbours, or school classmates to join your outings. Walking side by side could help foster relaxed conversations, making it a great way for both children and adults to connect after a busy day.
3. Join a local community group
Look for local walking groups, community trail initiatives, or even parkrun events in your area to help motivate you. Many UK charities and local councils host free, family-friendly events and nature trails that make exploring green spaces easy while connecting you with other families in the area.
- Parkrun is a free community event where you can walk, jog, or run together with others in your area.
- Local libraries and churches often have noticeboards with details of events or causes to support.
You can also head online and search for groups specific to your area, either through Google or Facebook.
4. Explore volunteering opportunities
Events such as avondvierdaagse rely heavily on community spirit, so why not embrace that as part of your time out? Look for local volunteering opportunities you can take part in together. Park clean-up days, tree-planting projects, or helping out in local communities are all great options.
Not only does it get everyone moving, but it also helps instil a sense of community responsibility in children.
5. Celebrate your family’s successes
Crossing the finish line for avondvierdaagse is a big deal, complete with medals and flowers. You can recreate that sense of achievement at home.
Keep a simple family walking log or sticker chart, make homemade certificates for big milestones, or end a month of consistent walks with a celebratory picnic.
Getting active and building community doesn’t have to be complicated.
By turning simple walks into a reliable family routine, you can bring a bit of gezelligheid – and plenty of happy memories – to your everyday life.