6 Tips for Hiking with Kids (Get Them to Love the Great Outdoors!)
6 Tips for Hiking with Kids (Get Them to Love the Great Outdoors!)
Hiking with children is a wonderful opportunity for family connection, exploration and joy. Kids are naturally naturalists. Their curious minds, boundless energy and ability to have fun anywhere make for awesome outdoor adventure. But what about gear? What about differently-aged, differently-abled children? What about their safety? What if they get tired? Don't let these things talk you out of getting out there! Hiking as a family is easy, accessible and exciting -- especially with a few tips and tricks that will keep the whole family entertained.
Hiking with children is a wonderful opportunity for family connection, exploration and joy. Kids are naturally naturalists. Their curious minds, boundless energy and ability to have fun anywhere make for awesome outdoor adventure. But what about gear? What about differently-aged, differently-abled children? What about their safety? What if they get tired? Don't let these things talk you out of getting out there! Hiking as a family is easy, accessible and exciting -- especially with a few tips and tricks that will keep the whole family entertained.
Keep a Hiking Backpack ReadyMake
it easy to head out the door any time by keeping a prepared bag packed
with essentials: sunscreen, water bottle, non-perishable snacks, long
sleeved shirts. Don't forget to keep diaper must-haves packed for little
hikers. Keeping this simple backpack ready makes getting out the door
much easier.
Focus on Fun, Not on DistanceEncourage
a playful and exploratory vibe; avoid focusing on goals for a specific
distance or time. If getting outside on a hike is always fun, it always
will be. The distance and time will naturally increase as the child's
ability and interest grow.
Play an Imaginary GameFollow
a child's lead and make believe you are pirates hunting for treasure.
Creating a story around the hike energizes slow legs. The four year-old
who doesn't want to walk anymore will suddenly run when she becomes a
fairy heading to a forest ball. Make a game out of finding different
leaves, pinecones, flowers, rocks. Give children a mission to count
bugs. Become trolls or witches and let the landscape direct the game.
Hike in PajamasThere
is something sneaky and fun about leaving the house in pajamas. Get the
kids ready for bed and then take them on a surprise adventure! It can be
a walk around the block, to the creek or up the hill. Kids will feel a
real sense of adventure with a spontaneous hike.
Take BreaksKids are
very capable, but their little bodies need to know breaks will happen.
Plus, stopping allows everyone to notice the smells, sights and sounds
that are easy to overlook when moving. Snacks, water, sitting, playing,
looking are important to a fun and successful hike. Say "yes" when kids
want to sit for a minute. When it is time to keep walking, pick a point
in the distance and call it the next rest stop.
Make a Nature JournalGive
kids pride and ownership of their experiences with their very own book
to track their adventures and observations through writing and drawing.
For older kids, bring books about native plants and birds for reference.
For younger kids, bring colored pencils for tracing rocks and noting
colors.
By Nici Holt Cline
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