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Although you may face a little difficulty with kids but it
would be a wonderful experience to carry them with you. Kids
really like outdoor events and they can reap different benefits
with outdoor events. As a parent or guardian you must take
your kids on relatively shorter hikes. Outdoor events such
as hiking increase their knowledge, increase their team building
skills, and increase their endurance along with other health
benefits. Hiking with kids would be a great decision from
the perspective of family health and it is also fun. For many
children, it's the journey that's important, not how long
the journey is. So, whenever you get a chance to take them
along never miss it. So make your hike a fun with kids; surely
you can do it, you don’t need to give up your hiking
as you have kids. However, you need to be a bit more careful
and planned than usual, but it is not very difficult especially
when both of you are determined.
So,
guys when you plan your hike with kids change your goals.
According to experts, goals should be based on the ability
of the youngest child, as they are the weakest link in the
whole chain. Perhaps the best idea is to take some of their
friends or siblings along with them, so that they won’t
feel bored. As these young buddies are slower, delicate and
inexperienced, so they can’t move like you adults. Think
carefully about your goal or destination where you wish to
go, and as far as possible keep your goals easier if you are
taking your kids for the first time. While deciding the visiting
place keep in mind that it should be easy to reach and near
the home because you have a little creature with you and which
is not tough like you.
Next,
as far as possible encourage them to carry their own backpack
as it gives them a sense of belonging as well as a purpose
to be there, but be prepared to carry their backpack in case
they get tired or exhausted. Sometimes, they don’t like
to carry their own backpack even when they are not actually
tired. In such events encourage them to carry their backpacks
and motivate them by candies or chocolates as special treats
or rewards. Quite obviously, keep their backpack small and
light, otherwise they may hurt themselves. Initially, instead
of backpack, you can encourage them to carry their own water
bottle or snack. As they get stronger and experienced, let
them take their own small backpack. There are different types
of child backpacks available in the market, so you should
get a good quality backpack for them.
Keeping
your goal shorter and easier has multiple benefits. First,
you yourself will not be able to go very far or high because
you have a much heavier backpack than usual because you have
to carry many extra things for kids like napkins, shoes, clothes
etc., second there is a less strong companion with you in
terms of abilities, third kids often lack in patience and
if their delicate feelings are hurt in anyway they may not
like to go along with you next time. Therefore, better to
start small children on short trails over easy and low terrain.
Although, it all depends upon the strength and temperament
of your kid along with few other factors, but according to
experts in terms of ability, children can cover about 1 mile
for every year they are in age. That means if your kid is
4 years old then he/she has an ability to go for 4 miles.
But, never treat this formula as a rule of thumb as they may
not actually want to hike that far, but in general they could
have the ability to do so.
In
addition to the above mentioned considerations, actually there
are many more things to be considered while going on hiking
with kids, such as special kids clothing & footwear, Wet
wipes and tissues, kids backpack, water & snacks along
with a compass, a map, a flashlight, waterproof matches, bug
dope, sunscreen and a whistle.
Last
but not the least, you should pay utmost respect and attention
to various safety considerations. As they are young, delicate
and inexperienced, so you need to be very careful about their
safety. First of all equipped them with right gears and accessories
such as running or tenis shoes instead of open-toed shoes,
adequate clothing as per the weather conditions in several
layers that can be removed easily when they get warm, and
added when they get cool, special purpose kids backpack to
distribute the load evenly on their body. Next, when you go
on hiking with kids, be prepared to survive from any injury
because they are common especially in the case of kids. Never
forget to carry a small, travel sized first aid kit for short
hikes in the event of accidental scrapes or insect bites or
other small injuries. Moreover, as far as possible keep them
in your sight and watch them carefully even when you allow
them to play with their buddies. Educate and warn them to
keep away from bushes, steep ledges, overhangs, poisonous
plants and dangerous falls. And ask them to make signals using
whistle or any other alarming device in case of any emergency.
Well,
if you can take care of these points, you will be having a
rocking time together with your kids while on any hiking or
trekking. Not only you will feel great, but your kids would
also have a wonderful time in the outdoor trips filled with
enough good memories of wonderful sights and time with their
family. Although encourage and empower them to take initiatives,
but never allow them unattended for a long time. Have patience,
positive attitude and realistic expectations during the whole
trip to make it more enjoyable and memorable.
I
am sure, by following these simple tips, steps and ideas,
your children will have a wonderful time in the great outdoors
with you. And, the next time they will be more matured and
learned to go along with you on longer hikes with more difficult
goals!
About
the Author
Mats
Lundkvist
Trek Lightly
http://www.mytrekkingpoles.com
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