09 October 2026
Transform Your Morning Routine: Tips for the Walk to School with Toddlers
Written by Polly Bate
Getting out of the house before 8am with kids can be a challenge, especially when there’s a school bell to meet, nursery drop off to navigate and then, for many, a full day of work or errands to run.
As a mum of three under six, our mornings can look like a whirlwind of lost shoes, last‑minute reading, and the fear of unexpected meltdowns holding us up. But I have found a few ways to make the school run with a toddler, baby and schoolboy a little easier...
Get a step ahead
I swear the minutes on a school morning move faster than normal. Blink once and suddenly it’s time to leave. The only way I’ve learned to stay sane is by creating what I call our School Day Prep Station. Sounds fancy, but it’s just my night before plan to make the morning rush smoother.
- Lay uniforms out — everything, right down to pants and socks (because choosing socks can be a painstaking experience... ).
- Put school bags and shoes by the door — book bags, coats, PE kits, hats, gloves… all lined up and ready. If I’m feeling extra organised, they’re already in the car.
- Set breakfast up — minimal choices, maximum chance of at least one bite of toast being eaten.
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Prep the lunchboxes — dry bits packed, cold bits waiting in the fridge.
It might feel like a chore after a long day, but trust me, it makes the morning chaos so much easier — especially before the main event: the walk to school with toddlers and children in tow.
Making the transition easier
I have a fussy eater, so breakfast can be a battle. I also have an anxious toddler, so the idea of a day without Mummy can be tough. That’s why I’ve started treating our walk as an important part of the day — a moment to bond, calm nerves, and burn off some energy.
So as my prep has paid off, we’re out the door with some breakfast consumed, and spirits as high as can be expected. Our next phase to meet friends for the walk to school — a brilliant hack I’ve found to break up difficult transitions and ease the pre‑school nerves.
Walk with purpose
A toddler toddles - and so do kids! Mine love a bug, a funny-shaped leaf, or half a snail shell to examine. Whilst it's cute to watch, the clock is ticking, and the school bell nearing. But, by harbouring this momentum, the mundane walk is transformed into an unmissable part of our school morning routine.
By using the time saved from our night before prep, we try to leave a few minutes earlier and turn the walk into a mix of games, gentle teaching moments, and — when legs start to drag — a fun BuggyBoard ride straight to the school gates.
We play along the way
Kids love making everything into a game. So why should the walk be any different? Rather than telling my kids, 'We're walking to school', I casually slip in, 'I wonder who will spot the first bus today?' And with that, the sibling rivalry starts and the pace quickens.
We count cars, point out flowers, and have a few “race to the tree” moments when it’s safe. One of our favourite games is Traffic Lights — red for stop, yellow for get ready, green for go.
But it’s given, that at some point in our journey, the bug hunting will stop being so fun, and the defiant toddler will protest their little legs can go no further. Instead of guiltily ignoring those waving arms reaching out to be carried, I just slip the BuggyBoard off the hook. With its anti‑slip surface, it is suitable for use in any weather, and the great suspension makes the ride smooth and comfy.
There's always time to learn
We live in a rural area, so our walk to school is the optimum time to teach some road safety. Children are sponges, and whether we realise it or not, they are learning constantly through our actions. So, I weave in simple rules as we go:
- Hold hands when crossing the road — and if there’s a refusal, onto the BuggyBoard they go.
- Show them where to stand — always on the inside, away from the road.
- Spot the surroundings — driveways, parked cars, safe crossing points. Points for whoever spots the most!
It may seem obvious, but the more they practise the simple rules, the more automatic their reactions on the road will be.
Reaching the finish line
We've finally reached the school gate, and with any luck, on time!
Yet sharing the walk together gives us the chance for some fun before the day starts and gives me the hope that each walk to school will become a little safer, a little calmer, and – dare I say - a little faster.
About the Author
Polly Bate is a mum to three little ones, based in rural West Sussex. A former marketer, she now spends her days navigating the whirlwind of parenthood (with a dog and two cats in tow!), supporting her husband on the family farm, and embracing the beautiful chaos that shapes everyday family life.
