How to Get Your Kids to Appreciate Hiking in Nature
Would you like to bond with your kids while making great, lasting memories? If so, then it’s worth considering staying off the beaten path and going hiking with your little ones.
CNN states that hiking in nature is beneficial for the mind and body. And that goes for kids and parents alike. Outdoor adventures can foster your kids’ love for nature, empathy for others, and improve their overall happiness. Parents get great perks, too, because walks in nature can lower your risk of high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression.
However, hiking with kids is no walk in the park! However, you can get them to enjoy the experience much more if you follow the following tips:
Find kid-friendly trails
Hiking can be pretty tiring for both kids and adults. So if you’re just starting out, it’s important to start small. This will help you and your family build enough strength and stamina before you start going for more advanced trails.
To start, your family can explore kid-friendly trails. Try to look for places like the Hidden Valley Trail in California, which has a flat terrain. It also has rocks that are easy to climb. Once your family gets used to these types of terrains, you can gradually lengthen your hikes or explore more challenging trails.
Get everyone involved
If you want to turn hiking into a regular bonding activity, it’s important to get every family member involved. You and your significant other need to be present because you serve as your kids’ main role models. If you lead by example, your kids will learn to follow in your footsteps and fall in love with hiking.
It’s also important to get your kids involved as early as you can. Hiking will feel natural to them if they are exposed to the great outdoors at a young age. The National Park Service recommends that you use a child carrier if your children are still very. This will keep your baby safe and comfortable while you’re hiking with your family. For parents with two kids, iCandy has double pushchairs that can make it easier to hike with a baby and toddler. Double pushchairs allow you to maneuver along the footpaths with ease even though you’re essentially pushing two kids. This convenience makes it easier for you all to enjoy the trip. Plus, by involving everyone else in the activity, your children will feel more comfortable exploring nature.
Play while hiking
It truly isn’t impossible to encourage kids to love hiking at a young age because Harvey Sutton finished hiking through the Appalachian Trail at the age of five. Harvey and his parents hiked for more than 2,100 miles across 209 days.
To motivate their son to finish the trail, his parents played games to stimulate his imagination. The five-year-old played a treasure hunt to find hidden toys along the way. Some hikers even gave him a pet rock to keep him occupied during the journey. Likewise, you can plan activities and games to keep your little ones entertained during hikes. You can even bring toys that they can play with while they’re hiking. These games will serve as enough motivation to keep them going, even through long hikes!
Outdoor adventures can foster your kids’ values and improve their overall well-being. To make hikes enjoyable for them, explore kid-friendly trails, get your entire family involved, and play with your kids along the way. If you want to try other child-friendly activities, check out the kid’s stuff section on Hudson Farmhouse. Our website has resources on recipes, lifestyle tips, home decor, and activities that your entire family will love.
If you liked this post check out my other kid’s activity posts below. Don’t forget to pin for later 🙂
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