—
Think back to when you were a kid. What sort of things did you do after school or on the weekends? If you were like most, you spent a lot of time playing basketball in the driveway, riding bikes in your neighborhood, or swimming in the pool. Today, it seems like playing outdoors is a lost art.
Untethering the Connected Child
We live in a world where we’re constantly tethered to devices – phones, laptops, computers, TVs, video game consoles, etc. There’s hardly a moment in the day when we don’t have internet access at our fingertips.
As adults, we’re just as guilty as anyone. The problem is that children are more impressionable. We grew into our dependence on technology, which means we have a basis upon which to judge reality. Today’s generation of kids are growing up with technology. Thus, if we don’t make a concerted effort to show them the difference between reality and screen time, we run the risk of fundamentally altering their formative years – likely for the worse.
Untethering a child from technology for large blocks of time is not only important – it’s healthy. There are many ways to do this, but hiking is one of the best.
How to Hike With Your Kids
Hiking is powerful on many fronts. Not only does it help kids connect with nature and understand the beauty of the physical world, but it also encourages healthy physical activity, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being. From a relational perspective, it gives you time to bond with your children and have conversations that aren’t interrupted by text messages and email notifications.
In theory, hiking sounds like the perfect outing. But any time you throw kids into the mix, things get more challenging. Here are some tips to make your time hiking more enjoyable and less crazy:
1. Don’t Overdo It
Be cognizant of the age and fitness level of your children. Don’t take your three- and five-year-old kids on a six-mile hike and expect it to go well. Start with short, flat hikes and progress up as your children become more physically fit and interested. If you burn them out on the first hike, you might not get a chance to redeem yourself.
2. Pack the Right Supplies
When you hike by yourself, you might try to bring as few supplies as possible. When you hike with kids, you want to be prepared for anything.
The key is to find a light backpack that also has room for plenty of supplies. The Klettersack backpack has become one of the favorites among casual hikers. Items you may want to bring along include:
- Plenty of water
- Sunscreen
- Dry socks
- First aid kit
- Snacks
You know your kids better than anyone else. Bring items that you think will make their experience more enjoyable. Just don’t bring any electronics!
3. Play Games
When hiking with adults, the goal is to move at a steady pace, enjoy the scenery, and complete the hike. When you’re with kids, this isn’t enough to keep them motivated. You’ll need to play some games along the way and provide time to stop and explore different parts of the trail.
Good trail games include roving hide and seek, hiking scavenger hunts, twenty questions, trail bingo, and sing-alongs.
4. Wear Layers
I’m too cold. Now I’m hot. Temperature control is one of the biggest issues for kids when they hike. They begin the hike too cold, then after they start moving, they warm up and get hot. Then they get cold again when they sit down and rest, and the cycle repeats itself. In order to avoid whining, have them dress in layers.
5. Invest in Good Shoes
While you might not want to buy each of your children hiking boots for their first hike, you should definitely consider doing so if you discover that your family will be doing a lot of hiking in the near future. Comfortable shoes make a world of difference.
Find Something Your Kids Enjoy
If you try hiking and your kids hate it, don’t take it personally. There are plenty of other opportunities to get outside and away from technology. Whether it’s golfing, fishing, gardening, or something entirely different, the goal is to untether from technology and enjoy one another’s company.
—
This content made possible by site supporter Larry Alton.
—
—
Photo credit: Pixabay