5 essential tips for mountain hiking with children for the first time
The outdoors is a great place for children to learn. Spending time in nature is not only good for their senses, it’s great for both their mental and physical health! Not to mention it’s super fun, especially if you bond as a family. Hiking is a great way to explore nature with children, but as a parent you are responsible for their health and safety.
Follow these basic tips for hiking with kids for the first time:
Choose the right path
When choosing your hike location, keep your child’s age in mind. There are many trails suitable for families and children, and it is important to take the time to carefully choose the one that is right for your family. Visiting forums can also help – hikers who have actually taken their kids on a walk can offer lots of advice and insight.
Come prepared
One of the key elements of a successful hike is preparation. Prepare the right clothes and shoes for the little ones (make sure you check the weather forecast), bring extra clothing and enough food, snacks and water. Even if you’re planning a short hike, expect to make plenty of rest and snack stops.
It would also be ideal to prepare a fun game like Eye Spy, Guess the Animal or some story to make the hike more interesting!
Be realistic
It’s important to be realistic about your expectations. Know that there will be challenges when you are hiking with children, especially young children. A short morning hike can continue into the afternoon. The young may act out of boredom, hunger or fatigue. Stop, deal with the situation and move on. If you let the accident happen to you, the rest of your hike will be affected.
Stop to appreciate the scenery
Hiking isn’t just about starting and finishing a trail. To help children appreciate nature more, let them breathe in its beauty. Stop to take pictures or just let the kids explore. If they want to check something, let them. Just keep the stops short and sweet so you can stay on schedule.
Make it a fun bonding experience
While you’re on the trail, take that time to talk to your kids about almost anything. Tell stories, a few jokes and ask them to share theirs. The next time you tell them you’re going hiking, they’ll know it’s a fun family activity!
For a fun experience, follow these basic tips for hiking with kids for the first time!
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