Family Hiking
With children getting heavier and heavier these days it is important to go out as a family and have some healthy fun. A nice way to do this is to go hiking on a Saturday morning. There are some things that you should keep in mind.
Do not hike for too long: My kids are usually done after about three hours. You are the best judge of what your children can do. It is important that you remember that you cannot hike as hard, as long and as fast as you were able to without kids.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy half way through your hike: This will provide a break to sit and enjoy the nature around you. I have my girls make their sandwiches and pack the rest of lunch with me. This is a great way to get the excited about going.
Make sure that you have an emergency first aid kit: This is a scouting “Be Prepared” essential. You never know what can happen while hiking. It is important that you are ready for anything.
Bring plenty of water: Make sure that you pack enough water for everyone. You do not want anyone to dehydrate. This includes any 4 legged friend you chose to bring with you.
Make it fun: Make sure that you keep your trip fun. Play eye-spy or look at different things along the way. If you make it a stressful thing for your children they will not enjoy it. Kids like to touch everything so have a touch scavenger hunt where they have to find
Choose a hike that is family friendly: Children will not want to be rock climbing for part of their hike on their first time out. Make sure that the first few hikes are easy and increase difficulty as you go. Once you try a harder hike tell the kids what a challenge it can be. It is important to tell them what they have achieved.
I know that we really enjoy hiking with the girls. I think that perhaps they enjoy it more than we do from time to time. So get out there and get moving. It will make you a happier family, will help with weight loss goals, and will lead to family time together. My favorite time of year to go out for a family hike is in the fall. There is nothing better than the leaves turning vivid colors and the crisp air. I am looking forward to many hikes in the weeks to come! I know that the kids are too! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get hiking! It is impossible not to have a wonderful time! You will be glad that you did!
Becca
This is a great article. You are right on with the current health of children today. My wife and I are big time advocates getting our kids outdoors for activity. We try to regularly hit some local trails for family hikes. Your advice is right on with our experience. If you are looking to try something a little more intense for your kids, check out our write up on backpacking with children. I have to admit that it may not be for everyone, but it does add a unique element of adventure to a family outing.
Bryan thanks I will hop in over and read it. My brother and friend backpacked the Appalachian Trail from NY to Maine. I am pretty sure that it is not for me though! I am too prissy for all of that!
Becca
Family hiking is just about the most brilliant thing to do with older kids. When else will you get the such a great time in their presence to chat with them in a completely natural way as you walk together – except maybe after their bed time story.
The car travel can get them down though.
Have you also tried counting legs with them. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Well, in the United Kingdom, English countryside there are lots of pubs, and named after people, and animals, sometimes sports related, and the first to spot the pub sign collects the legs. My favorite is to find a pub called the Cricketers, except then we argue about how many in the team and how many legs, but it passes the journey! You’ve got to get worried though when someone spots “The Horse and Hounds” pub somewhere – Mum or Dad will have to decide how many legs that one counts for, and it’s a lot!
Being prepared is always essential. Weather can change, someone can fall and get hurt. We always carry a Hand Held GPS for extra safety. The kids are learning how to use it and they love it. Hiking as a family brings everyone closer.
Hey Becca,
Thanks for the great article. Here is a recipe for a trail mix that my kids love when we are walking:
1/2 cup banana chips
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup plain M&Ms
1 cup Cheerios cereal (any flavor)
Mix together and place in a ziploc bag. Try different types of nuts, seeds and cereals until you come up with a mix your kids love.
Thanks for the recipe. My kids like trail mix as well. They love when we mix it up. We also take trail mix camping with us.
Great to read this, heres another idea to spice up a family hike with the kids. Bring along a hand held guide to local plants and or animals they may see on the way. You can stop and see how quick kids can identify the plant or animal. Sometimes you can find great guides on animal tracks making the adventure much more enjoyable. We do this with our campers at Lonehollow which is a texas summer camp
in the hill country. Hope this helps