PREVIOUS ARTICLE
This summer, we talked about slow parenting, where you try to slow way down with your children and let them take the lead. Well, a reader named Clare commented about the concept of penny walks: “You walk to the end of your street and toss a coin. Heads you go this way, tails the other. Do the same at the next junction and the next. Who knows where you’ll end up.” How sweet is that? We’ve been taking penny walks regularly ever since. The other day, we went around our neighborhood…
We flipped the penny and headed down the street.
Since penny walks are all about taking things in, we stopped many times along the way to check out motorcycles, scooters, bikes and vehicles of all kinds.
Then we stopped for a sip of milk at the deli across the street. We’ve always said that Anton resembles an old man (since the day he was born!) and here he fits right in, straight chilling with his cohorts.
Then we flipped again, and…
The penny led us by a neighborhood pizza place. Since the boys were hungry for lunch, we got two slices of square “Grandma,” our favorite of the NYC slices.
Finally, on our way home, we passed a stoop sale, where the boys tested out the toy cars.
That’s it! Penny walks have led to such low-key adventures. Have you ever taken one? Thanks, Clare, for the idea!
P.S. Six words to say to your child, and 21 surprising parenting tips.
(Photos by Olivia Rae James. Thanks, Olivia! My sweater is from Madewell, plus my trusty Converse. Anton is wearing Mabo leggings and an American Apparel shirt, and Toby is wearing a Polarn o Pyret shirt and American Apparel leggings.)
