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Kids hiking is not something every parent has the patience for. Still, there are several ways to get your kids excited about hiking. Consider these simple hiking activities for kids; with these steps, your kids may grow up to love nature.
Hiking is an excellent opportunity to spend some quality family time together. The bummer is — not every adult is an experienced (or even excited) hiker.
When it comes to kids hiking, a carefully planned adventure can become a nightmare. It, however, does not mean you cannot take your kids on a hike. It only means that you have to be better prepared.
There is plenty of fun hiking activities for kids that can get your little ones excited about the ‘nature time’ and teach them plenty of new things.
Take it one step at a time — for starters, consider the following kids hiking tips.
Get the Right Kids Hiking Gear
One of the most common reasons your kids may not like hiking trips is that they do not have the right equipment.
Just think about it for a second.
What is better is to stay on the couch with your favorite iPad game or trudge through a gloomy forest with useless kids hiking poles, especially if parents did not bother to explain how (and why) to use those poles.
So, the very least you could do is to do the physical training with the help of a gym expert to buy your little ones the right kids' hiking gear (and get rid of all the heavy stuff you do not need). Of course, you will not want to invest in any special equipment until you know your kids enjoy hiking — or, at least, like it enough to tolerate your getaway family hiking trips. After all, quality sports gear is often pricey, and you would not want to waste money on things you do not need. For starters, you will need the following:
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A good kids hiking backpack: there is no universal guide on choosing the best backpack for hiking, but it has to be comfortable and not too heavy. It should evenly distribute the load without applying too much pressure on the spine and shoulders. Also, remember that summer hikes may call for a pack with ventilation. You can go with a simpler (but preferably water-resistant) model in spring and fall.
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High-quality footwear: you may agree to carry all the essentials, saving you a few bucks on children’s backpacks. But your kids will still have to do the walking, which means quality walking snickers. Do not confuse those with running models. Hiking footwear should have thick soles, protected toes, and proper ankle fixation. The best call would be to go with kids' waterproof hiking boots — even if it does not rain, there is plenty of moisture in the woods. And anyway — better safe than sorry.
Carefully Plan Your Routes
Safety for kids is as important as quality gear, so don’t go exploring unexplored paths — this is not always wise, even for adult, experienced hikers.
When hiking with little kids, local parks are a good start. Besides, you can always research popular hiking routes online — some even have a rating and a to-do list. Test-driving without the kids is also an excellent idea. After all, you cannot always rely on someone else’s opinion, and you can never expect someone else to know your children and their interests better than you.
Here are some tips to remember when choosing the best hiking route for kids:
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It should be pretty straightforward (no elevations, no rugged walks or climbs)
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The path should be as comprehensive as possible
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Camping stops are recommended but not obligatory
Don’t Rush Your Kids Up
While you have to plan your kid's hiking trips, do not try to plan every minute of it.
Remember that many things you take for granted (birds, animals, plants) may be new and exciting for your kids.
Simply put, give them a chance to enjoy nature at their own pace.
Do not rush them if they want to take a closer look at the trees or flowers, and try to answer any of their questions about animals you see on a hike.
Invite Friends Whenever Possible
Whenever you have the chance, invite your kids’ friends — do not think an ‘extra’ kid will compromise your family time together. On the contrary, your children may relax and enjoy their time out more if they have a peer. This tip is especially useful if you only have one kid.
Another bonus of bringing friends along is that you can play plenty of exciting hiking games for kids. A scavenger hunt is just one example. Make your kids bring something (red, yellow, round, smelly, wet — you name it). On the other hand, if you are concerned about hiking safety for kids (as you should be) and do not want them to stroll away, simply make the little ones search for signs of wildlife. For example, they can point to birds’ nests, fur, anthills, etc.
Bring Snacks… Lots of Them
Another thing that can make hiking for kids enjoyable is delicious snacks. Think of this as a trip combined with a picnic. Once again, stopping to have a snack serves a double purpose: your family gets a chance to talk (and bond), while your kids get a short respite. So, when packing your kid's hiking kit, make sure you get not only water and first aid bandages but also something to keep your children well and deliciously fed. Cognitive psychologists call it positive reinforcement.
Of course, the list of kids hiking tips can go on — there are plenty of ways to make your family hikes more enjoyable.
The final advice would be to consider what your kids love and improve on the go. It is impossible to foresee everything. Even though you may have the right gear, you cannot know how your kids will react to every new destination they explore.
However, you can always watch and learn — with a bit of trial and effort; you will get there eventually.
Overall, it comes down to your patience and determination.
On the other hand, would you say otherwise?
Maybe, your kids are natural hikers, and you have more insight to share.
Author’s bio: Lavera Stewart is a mother of two with a degree in cognitive psychology. Her experience as a child therapist makes Lavera’s blogs valuable and informative. While today she dedicates most of her to raising her children, Lavera is still determined to offer other parents a helping hand with her posts.
