We live in an area known around the world as a premier hiking spot and it’s one of our fave recreational activities. But! The twins aren’t always in for a rugged outdoor trek. Introducing our children to outdoor exercise, at least exercise in a structured format, can be a struggle. Their little legs and little bodies can only sustain for so long, despite the endless wells of energy they seem to be able to draw on, and you end up carrying up the steep hills.
But sometimes that structured format can help them learn a new mode of getting active. Safety should always be the foremost priority, but outside of that, there are very real skills to learn from getting outside and learning to traverse the environment properly, even in a controlled setting.
We teach kids how to swim from a young age for very worthwhile reasons. Hiking can be an additional valuable enterprise, but you have to know what your children can handle, and how to integrate this activity properly into their schedule without wearing them, or you, out.
Getting Out In Nature
We all know it, read the articles and had the convos at park day. It’s important to get out in nature, but more than that, it’s important to curate a love for nature and all it encompasses. Hiking allows us to access nature in its raw form, in an environment that might not be as easy to navigate as the local park.
With a good pair of shoes, walking on a slight incline, learning to be careful and stick together, as well as spotting the plants and animals nearby (because, ya know, homeschool!). Hiking can help kids, especially suburban or urban kids, understand the natural world around them, and grow from it. With good footwear provided to everyone on the trip, and a tactical shoulder chest bag you can use to keep your essentials in, you can stay safe and cared for even in a forested environment. That’s not to say you need to climb hills and mountains right now. Just get started wandering in the woods, along the rocky paths, sandy shores or anywhere you can to dive into nature.
Learning To Chart Our Way
While I’d recommend hiking on routes that have already been established and are well laid out, it can be nice to teach kids how to mentally note landmarks, how to decide on the way they wish to go, how to identify good and solid areas to walk, and more. This way, they can feel active and involved in exploring, and learn the value of keeping their wits about them when a bug flies by (don’t get me started on that steep-hilled freakout!) and remaining observant of the environment. That’s a great lesson for any child to learn
Accepting A Challenge
It’s good to teach children the value of making a plan, going outside for an adventure, and coming back home having completed that challenge. For instance, perhaps you could plan with them that you’ll go out in the summer, looking for two different butterflies and a couple of birds known to frequent the area. Making that plan, researching what to look for, going out, exploring in nature, drawing them or taking photographs, and then coming home can be a real victory for you and your littles. It can help them nurture an interest in nature and feel accomplished. This way, expeditions outside can feel less like chores and more like interesting forays into the world around us.
With this advice, you’re sure to teach kids the value of hiking for good.
