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Taking Your Kids on a Hike
by Kathy Burns-Millyard
With a little planning and forethought, hiking with children can be a
fun and rewarding experience. Hiking is a wonderful way to help them
develop a love and respect for nature, stimulate their imagination and
encourage them to stay active.
Even Snoopy Hikes: A great way to introduce children to the idea of
hiking is through stories featuring their favorite animated
characters. Several great children's books about hiking are available:
"Curious George Goes Hiking," "Take a Hike Snoopy," "Berenstain Bears
Blaze a Trail," and "Sheep Take a Hike," just to name a few. The
stories give you an opportunity to talk about expectations before
leaving home and give you something to refer to on the trail.
Where to Go: Start small children on short trails over easy terrain.
In terms of ability, children can cover about 1 mile for every year
they are in age. They may not want to hike that far, but they probably
have the ability to do so. Short attention spans are kept busy on
trails occupied with activities along the way (rocks to climb on,
water to splash in, etc.). Older children are often motivated by the
promise of something at the end a trail like a scenic vista or
waterfall. Don't forget to plan for bathroom breaks and rest stops
along the way.
Clothing and Footwear: Ideally, children (like adults) should be
prepared for any weather and dressed in layers. They should also have
access to suitable rain gear. Properly fitting hiking boots or tennis
shoes are a must to avoid sore and tired feet. Leave open-toed shoes
at home.
Water & Snacks: Bring plenty of both. Fruit and salty snacks are best
(although sometimes candy works as a good motivator). Try to avoid
bringing snacks laden with sugar and caffeine. They cause spikes (then
crashes) in energy levels and tend to promote dehydration.
Matters of Safety: Know the basics of administering first-aid.
Allergic reactions to insects or plants can turn urgent quickly. Keep
children on the trail and within your site at all times. Steer them
clear of poisonous plants, steep ledges, overhangs, and potentially
dangerous falls. A small, travel sized first aid kit is great for
short hikes in the event of accidental scrapes or insect bites.
Essential Gear: Wet wipes are great for cleaning and double as toilet
paper if necessary (bring plastic bags to carry them home). Always
carry a compass and map, a flashlight, waterproof matches, bug dope,
sunscreen and a whistle.
Opportunities for Fun & Learning
Hiking provides the perfect opportunity to instill in children a love
and respect for nature that will last a lifetime. Singing camp songs
(quietly) or designing a simple nature scavenger hunt is a great way
to engage their minds and teach them about the environment. Give them
disposable cameras and let them take pictures for a scrapbook or have
them carry a nature journal to write in or draw things they see. Don't
forget to educate them about trail etiquette and the importance of
leaving plants and animals undisturbed.
Related Articles:
Fall Fun for Kids
Make a Hiking Necklace
Outdoor Vacation Tips That Get Kids Going
Backyard Camp
Tag - You're It! 18 Varieties of an Old Favorite
About the Author:
© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy
of DoHiking.com - a large and growing hiking
website featuring articles, tips, advice and shopping for hiking &
camping enthusiasts.
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 Recommended Reading: Kuffner gives us an enormous number of ideas for fun things to do with our children. This is an arts and crafts type of book, and she does
something I haven't seen in other activity books. She spends a chapter telling you how to organize for a toddler. She also provides a list
of items to buy and old household items to save (dried magic markers, for example).
The rest of the book is laid out equally well. There are chapters on rainy day play, water play, kitchen activities, outdoor adventures, how
to entertain the kids when you're on errands or travel, nursery rhymes, learning activities, music, arts & crafts, and even birthday/holiday
activities. The appendix lists craft recipes, "crazy can" activities, and best toys/books for toddlers. Very comprehensive and varied. (courtesy: Amazon)
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