A free family adventure: turn your next walk into a building treasure hunt with Humanise
Relatable!
The photos in this article were already in my camera reel - taken over years of pointing out beautiful buildings to my children on our travels, capturing the details we noticed and wanted to remember. One of the kids is now studying engineering at university, and while I can’t claim those little moments inspired that choice, I love that our shared curiosity about how things are designed and built is still going strong.
If your kids love buildings, can I recommend a free download that’s worth having on your phone?
Humanise’s A Spotter’s Guide to Human Buildings
This free download offers families a different way to explore their surroundings, turning an everyday walk into a hunt for buildings with character. Free to download and designed to read on a mobile, it’s an easy addition to a weekend wander, a school-holiday outing or your next family city break.
And the best bit? Start close to home and there’s no need for tickets, travel costs or an expensive attraction. Your local high street could provide the afternoon’s entertainment.
The guide comes from Humanise, the campaign inspired by designer Thomas Heatherwick’s 2023 book, which calls for more interesting, joyful buildings and cities. Its aim is to get more of us noticing—and talking about—the places we pass every day. Find out about the campaign.
For families, that opens up a lovely opportunity to let children take the lead. Rather than announcing that everyone is going for a walk, give them a mission: find a building that makes them stop and look.
Using the Guide
The guide introduces eight things to consider, including unusual materials, craftsmanship, decoration, nature and playfulness. It also encourages looking at buildings from different distances: first their outline, then their appearance from the street, and finally the details you notice close up. A building needn’t be old or grand to qualify; contemporary designs can be just as rewarding to explore.
For children interested in design and architecture, try turning those observations into a friendly family challenge. Who can find the most surprising window? Which entrance looks most inviting? Would changing the colour make a building feel different? Everyone gets a vote, and disagreeing is half the fun.
Engineering challenges
Budding engineers could take the conversation further. Look for columns, arches and balconies, then wonder together about what supports what. Why might a designer choose brick here and metal there? You don’t need to have all the answers: photograph a puzzling feature and investigate it together when you get home.
Young history enthusiasts might enjoy searching for clues to a building’s earlier life. Suggest looking for dates above doorways, faded shop signs or names carved into stone. Could that smart apartment block once have been a warehouse? What might the street have looked like before cars arrived?
Share your discoveries
These extra challenges are simple ways to adapt your outing to whatever fascinates your child. Keep the route short for younger explorers, or let older children plan a walk linking several interesting buildings. Pack drinks and snacks, and you’ve got the makings of a genuinely inexpensive afternoon together.
Back home, children could sketch their favourite discovery or build their own version from whatever is in the recycling box. They might even redesign a building they thought could be more exciting.
Before heading out, download the free Spotter’s Guide and follow @humaniseorg on Instagram. Share your family’s favourite building photos and tag the team – they love it when spotters show off their discoveries!
By Sally, Newsdesk
Image credits – Sally Bendall
