You’ve got kids. Now what? Does that mean you have to put away your tent and pack your trekking poles for the next 18 years? Luckily, the answer is no. You will, however, have to change your goals a bit. Instead of trying to trek the entire Appalachian Trail in one go, you might need to break it up into more manageable sections to enjoy with your kids.
While you might not be able to go as far, fast or high as you did previously, there’s still plenty of ways you can get your kids involved in hiking. With that said, there are some things to keep in mind.
Make Sure to Bring Enough Supplies
From extra water and snacks to diapers, bottles and more—depending on how young you want to get your children involved in hiking—all of these items add extra weight to your pack. While you might be able to forego some luxuries as an adult, you don’t want to leave behind necessities for your child, especially when it comes to food and fluids.
Hiking already requires a lot of energy. And as you know, energy-sapped kids turn cranky quickly. For a successful hike, make sure you pack enough food for multiple rest stops along the way. Make sure to carry a variety of snacks so your child isn’t bored by the options.
Although it might take up more space, having more snacks in your pack can act as a great motivator for your child. You can use it as a way to keep him moving to the next planned rest stop. By the time he’s finished resting and eating, he’ll be ready to walk a bit farther.
The one thing you don’t need to bring for your children? Any electronics. There’s no reason they need their phone or gaming device with them. The hike is about enjoying time in nature as a family, so tell them to leave the smartphone at home.
Take It Easy
Remember, your child doesn’t have as much experience hiking as you. Children also get tired much faster, so they probably won’t appreciate a very steep uphill climb. Keep in mind the hike isn’t about you anymore; it’s about you and your child.
For the first few trips, choose some hikes that are relatively level and easy. If there’s an awesome reward at the end such as a waterfall, amazing view or even a great place to play, even better. That’s motivation enough for them to keep going.
While a nice end is great, most of all, the hike is about the experience. Engage your children in conversation as you walk and point out some plants, trees or birds. Encourage them to get on their hands and knees and explore the undergrowth. Just make sure the area is clear of poison ivy and oak.
If you want to take it one step further, you can organize the hike into a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for your child to find and keep it relatively simple. It’s a great way to keep them entertained, and you can always go into more detail of that particular object once your child finds it. It’s fun and educational!
Give Your Child a Role
Children enjoy feeling useful and being in charge of something. So give them a designated role during the hike. This could be something like the bird watcher, snack organizer or even cheerleader for the other members of the hike. Whatever it is, make sure to thank them for their help.
You can also rotate roles as the leader. Not only will this help children feel empowered, but they’ll also be more invested in the hike when they’re leading the group. It’s also an excellent way to gauge their pace. This way, when you go back to being the leader, you can slow down or speed up as necessary. Just make sure you don’t forget to rotate; otherwise, it’ll lead to arguments down the road. How and when you decide to rotate these roles is up to you.
Of course, you still need to look out for everyone’s safety. If it looks like your child is trying to lead the group off trail or somewhere that might be dangerous, gently guide him back onto the path and explain what the signs mean and why he needs to follow them. It’s a good idea to emphasize the safety aspect from the very beginning of the hike and repeat it throughout, especially when you’re leading.
Invite Their Friends
Activities are always more fun with friends. This is just as true for adults as it is for kids. Plan ahead and ask your children if they want to invite anyone from school. Or if you already have some family friends, invite them along. Your kids will have someone their own age to chat with while hiking. It can keep their energy levels up, and it makes the entire experience more memorable.
Just make sure your children doesn’t invite their entire class. It can be difficult to manage that many people on a trail, and there’s bound to be miscommunication and confusion at some point. Instead, invite one or two friends and promise that next time they can bring someone new. Then they can spend some time hiking with everyone, just not at the same time.
Make It a Tradition
Physical activity is important for people of all ages. In fact, kids should get around 60 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. Hiking is the perfect option as it gets your kids out in nature, it’s fairly low-impact, and it’s an excellent family-bonding experience. Plus, hiking provides a sense of adventure because you never know what you’re going to see, even on the same trail. Depending on the season you could see a fox, deer or different types of birds. And, of course, you get to see how the scenery changes during the seasons.
Shoot for an expedition once or twice a month to explore the area around your home. If you live in a large city, you could even take some time to go somewhere you’ve never been before. There are countless opportunities to spend time outside.
You don’t need to give up hiking just because you have kids. If anything, you should encourage them to join your adventures and explore the wilderness. It will give them an appreciation of the world around them.
About the Author: Cassie is a freelance writer for eHealth Informer and avid hiker. She loves the time she gets to spend connecting with nature and her family.
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