The outdoors is a great place for children to learn. Spending time in nature is not only good for your senses, it is also great for your physical and mental health. Not to mention, it’s super fun, especially if you get together as a family. Hiking is a great way to explore the great outdoors with children, but as a parent, you are responsible for their health and safety.
Follow these essential tips for hiking with kids for the first time:
Choose the right path
When choosing your hike location, keep your child’s age in mind. There are many family and child trails available and it is important to take your time carefully choosing one that is suitable for your family. Visiting forums can help too – hikers who have actually taken their little ones for a hike can offer a lot of advice and insight.
Come prepared
One of the key elements of a successful walk is preparation. Prepare the right clothes and shoes for the little ones (be sure to check the weather forecast), bring extra clothes and enough food, snacks and water. Even if you are planning a short hike, expect to make plenty of stops for rest and snacks.
It would also be ideal to prepare a fun game like Eye Spy, Guess the Animal or some narration to keep the walk more interesting!
Be realistic
It is essential to be realistic about your expectations. Know that there will be challenges when hiking with children, especially young children. A short morning walk could extend into the late afternoon. Young people can misbehave because they are bored, hungry, or tired. Make a stop, deal with the situation, and then move on. If you let the mishap affect you, the rest of your walk will suffer.
Make stops to appreciate nature.
Hiking is not just about starting and ending a trail. To help children appreciate nature more, let them breathe in its beauty. Make stops to take photos or just let the kids explore. If they want to see something, let them. Just make the stops short and pleasant so you can stay on schedule.
Make it a fun bonding experience
While on the road, take this time to talk to your children about any topic. He tells stories, some jokes and asks them to share their own. The next time you tell them you’re going on a hike, they’ll know it’s a fun family activity!
For a fun-filled experience, follow these essential tips for hiking with kids for the first time!