AS a mum of two young children Samantha Brown knows how difficult it can be to motivate youngsters to go on walks.

Her own experiences have prompted her to lend a helping hand to other parents by setting up The Reluctant Explorers page on Instagram and Facebook to give useful tips about walks and days out in Bradford, West Yorkshire and beyond.

Samantha, from Burley in Wharfedale, set up her page after the first lockdown - and she has now added in new ideas with her Lockdown 2 Distractions.

Samantha, whose own reluctant explorers are Edie, six, and Ezra, 4, said: “I’m on a bit on a mission at the moment. I know a lot of people struggle to get their kids motivated to go out walking, and with there being very little in the way of other things to do at the moment, it’s inspired me to come up with some ‘Lockdown 2 Distractions’. Basically these are ideas that will keep kids entertained indoors and whilst they’re walking - locally - outdoors.”

She said.”I set the page up after Lockdown take 1. We’d all found Lockdown really tough for lots of different reasons. As everybody has.

“But in particular, it made me realise we really hadn’t made the most of our spare time in those times before Lockdown. And it made me realise the positive impact getting out and walking had, on mental health.

“I found that as soon as the restrictions were lifted, and I started to get out walking again - once we were able to walk for more than an hour that is - my mood lifted immeasurably.

“The children, in particular my youngest, had always complained of walking being boring. Which to a 4-year-old, it can be. So we’ve had to start being creative, to make being out walking a bit more fun. And I knew we weren’t alone because I have friends who faced the same struggles.

“So I set up the page to help others get out and about, inspire some ideas of places to visit, and also provide a bit of inspiration to those who also struggle to get their kids out walking, because I am very familiar with those struggles.

“Once we were faced with Lockdown 2, I was determined to help others to get their Reluctant Explorers out and about too. So I decided to come up with our ‘Lockdown Distractions’. The aim is to provide some inspiration to other families who may also face the struggles we have, in getting the children out and walking, particularly as there’s not that much else to do at the moment.

“Each one has been tried and tested by my two little ones and has an element of indoor play, before or after the walk. As well as providing a bit of a ‘distraction’ to little ones whilst they are out, whether it be kite making and flying, making your own maps, or taking photos and creating your own art.

“These times are hard for everybody. So we’re just trying to help in the smallest way, which is helping those families who also struggle with their Reluctant Explorers, to get out too.”