In rare cases, you may need to cross private land during a day hike with kids, and it’s quite possible you’ll encounter livestock along the way. Don’t presume that domesticated animals will be docile. Give them their space just as you would a wild animal. You should never startle cattle or sheep, as they easily can break into a stampede. Stay out of the way of bulls, as they will protect their herd.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Hiking games and activities are age dependent
The types of games and activities you select for a day hike with kids – or if you select any at all – depend largely upon the child’s age. That’s because as children grow, their interactions with you and with nature change.
Infants in baby carriers largely are passive passengers. While you must be aware of and tend to their needs as you would any infant, no special games or activities really are necessary for the trail. They’ll be happy to see the sights around them, play with the back of your sun hat, and sleep in the gentle breeze created by your steady pace.
For my son, that passivity changed sometime during his first year when he began to string words together into sentences and started talking with me. His passivity totally ended when he came down from the carrier sometime during his third year. Toddlers in the carrier generally are easy to amuse with songs and simply pointing out the names of various trees, birds and other objects in nature. To them, the outdoors is still all brand new. Once toddlers begin walking on their own and through their preschool years, however, they’ll flit from point to point, touching and examining everything around them. Engagement with them becomes increasingly important so that they behave and do not become bored. This is an excellent opportunity for adults to employ games and activities that build their skills and love for nature while strengthening the parent-child bond.
Most elementary school kids generally are able to amuse themselves, especially if a friend comes along on the hike, but you shouldn’t pass on this chance to continue developing their cognitive, observational and creative skills. The games now can become more sophisticated, and they’ll likely want to play a variety of them (unlike the preschooler who usually likes to do the same game over and over). Interacting with your child remains as important as ever so you can lay a good foundation to ensure communication is possible during coming teen years.
Teenagers generally will become more interested in the destination rather than the journey, taking a more adult view of hiking. They still will enjoy games and activities but are likely to be more selective about which they play. Most will prefer activities that revolve around their interests, such as drawing or journaling. A good way to keep teens involved in the hike and interacting with you is to give them leadership roles and responsibilities: Allow them to select the trail, to help plan the trip, to navigate during the hike, to locate rest spots. You’re now developing their hiking skills, teaching them the fundamentals of the sport so that once they become adults, they will be excellent hikers … who in turn take their own children down long trails into the wilds.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Infants in baby carriers largely are passive passengers. While you must be aware of and tend to their needs as you would any infant, no special games or activities really are necessary for the trail. They’ll be happy to see the sights around them, play with the back of your sun hat, and sleep in the gentle breeze created by your steady pace.
For my son, that passivity changed sometime during his first year when he began to string words together into sentences and started talking with me. His passivity totally ended when he came down from the carrier sometime during his third year. Toddlers in the carrier generally are easy to amuse with songs and simply pointing out the names of various trees, birds and other objects in nature. To them, the outdoors is still all brand new. Once toddlers begin walking on their own and through their preschool years, however, they’ll flit from point to point, touching and examining everything around them. Engagement with them becomes increasingly important so that they behave and do not become bored. This is an excellent opportunity for adults to employ games and activities that build their skills and love for nature while strengthening the parent-child bond.
Most elementary school kids generally are able to amuse themselves, especially if a friend comes along on the hike, but you shouldn’t pass on this chance to continue developing their cognitive, observational and creative skills. The games now can become more sophisticated, and they’ll likely want to play a variety of them (unlike the preschooler who usually likes to do the same game over and over). Interacting with your child remains as important as ever so you can lay a good foundation to ensure communication is possible during coming teen years.
Teenagers generally will become more interested in the destination rather than the journey, taking a more adult view of hiking. They still will enjoy games and activities but are likely to be more selective about which they play. Most will prefer activities that revolve around their interests, such as drawing or journaling. A good way to keep teens involved in the hike and interacting with you is to give them leadership roles and responsibilities: Allow them to select the trail, to help plan the trip, to navigate during the hike, to locate rest spots. You’re now developing their hiking skills, teaching them the fundamentals of the sport so that once they become adults, they will be excellent hikers … who in turn take their own children down long trails into the wilds.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Consider packing small tarpaulin in case of emergencies
When your kids are old enough that you’ve traded the baby carrier for a backpack, you may want to consider carrying a small tarpaulin with you. These can be useful when building an emergency shelter. They also can provide a barrier between a child and the ground should first aid have to be given or if a bed must be made because an emergency forces you to stay the night.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Reason No. 14 to hike with kids: Encouraging children’s creativity
Is your child bored all of the time? Can’t seem to think about anything but what was shown on movies, television shows or computer games? Constantly says “There’s nothing to do”?
Your child probably could use a little imagination boost so he can grow in the creative department. After all, there’s a whole lot of exciting things to do out there – write stories, paint pictures, make up songs, build stuff …
To provide that boost to your child’s creative juices, take him on a hike.
Indeed, a March 2001 study found that just four days spent in the backcountry resulted in a 40 percent increase in kids’ front lobe activity – that’s the part of the brain linked to creativity. The study examined Outward Bound students.
So what are waiting for? Hit the trail today! (What, you have to work today? C’mon, get creative – there must be a way to get out of it!)
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Your child probably could use a little imagination boost so he can grow in the creative department. After all, there’s a whole lot of exciting things to do out there – write stories, paint pictures, make up songs, build stuff …
To provide that boost to your child’s creative juices, take him on a hike.
Indeed, a March 2001 study found that just four days spent in the backcountry resulted in a 40 percent increase in kids’ front lobe activity – that’s the part of the brain linked to creativity. The study examined Outward Bound students.
So what are waiting for? Hit the trail today! (What, you have to work today? C’mon, get creative – there must be a way to get out of it!)
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
'Hikes' featured in EcoParent magazine's debut issue
Hikes with Tykes is featured in the debut issue of EcoParent magazine, which came out this month. The new Canadian magazine describes itself as “a national print magazine catering to eco-aspiring and eco-savvy parents. It is our mission to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to make better, healthier choices for your family.” Hikes with Tykes is one of two books discussed in the issue.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Engage kids in games and activities while on the trail
There are quite a number of good reasons to engage kids in games and activities when hiking.
First and foremost is the bonding experience it provides. For some children, especially those who already enjoy a strong relationship with their parent, simply being with mom or dad on a hike may be enough. But often it isn’t; instead, child and parent (or grandparent or guardian) must interact. They forge an unbreakable bond with one another when they share experiences. Games and activities on a hike can be those experiences that children fondly remember years from now – or they may be the ice breaker that provides the child with enough comfort to broach difficult subjects with their elder.
Many games and activities played on the hiking trail can increase a child’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world. From making bark rubbings to identifying animal tracks, from becoming more observant in a scavenger hunt to being the assistant map reader, games and activities geared toward nature and the environment can establish a life-long love for Mother Nature and her wonders. The great outdoors is a whole new, even alien, world for children to discover. Certain games and activities on a hike can prod them toward exploring it.
On a broader scope, many hiking games and activities can develop a child’s general cognitive, physical and creative skills. Solving word puzzles and geocaching, walking like an animal and rock climbing, drawing and journaling, all can develop a child’s abilities and talents in fun ways and in an unique environment. Many children won’t even realize they’re learning.
Ultimately, games and activities can keep kids from getting bored. Some children just won’t appreciate the beauty of the trail (at least not at first) or will argue that the walk is too long (usually they realize this just as you’re about to reach the destination). A competition or singing of songs will take their mind off their boredom or tired legs. This can help maintain an adult’s sanity, as he then doesn’t have to put up with parent-nag (You know, when kids says, “I’m hungry”, “Or we almost there?”, “I have to go to the bathroom.”). In the long run, games and activities on the trail not only can make the hike more enjoyable but can even cause children to want to go on more hikes.
On this blog and in Hikes with Tykes you’ll find a number of games and activities geared for hiking children. To find them at this blog, simply type “activities” into the search engine at the upper left. Find a couple that you think your children will enjoy and give them a try!
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
First and foremost is the bonding experience it provides. For some children, especially those who already enjoy a strong relationship with their parent, simply being with mom or dad on a hike may be enough. But often it isn’t; instead, child and parent (or grandparent or guardian) must interact. They forge an unbreakable bond with one another when they share experiences. Games and activities on a hike can be those experiences that children fondly remember years from now – or they may be the ice breaker that provides the child with enough comfort to broach difficult subjects with their elder.
Many games and activities played on the hiking trail can increase a child’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world. From making bark rubbings to identifying animal tracks, from becoming more observant in a scavenger hunt to being the assistant map reader, games and activities geared toward nature and the environment can establish a life-long love for Mother Nature and her wonders. The great outdoors is a whole new, even alien, world for children to discover. Certain games and activities on a hike can prod them toward exploring it.
On a broader scope, many hiking games and activities can develop a child’s general cognitive, physical and creative skills. Solving word puzzles and geocaching, walking like an animal and rock climbing, drawing and journaling, all can develop a child’s abilities and talents in fun ways and in an unique environment. Many children won’t even realize they’re learning.
Ultimately, games and activities can keep kids from getting bored. Some children just won’t appreciate the beauty of the trail (at least not at first) or will argue that the walk is too long (usually they realize this just as you’re about to reach the destination). A competition or singing of songs will take their mind off their boredom or tired legs. This can help maintain an adult’s sanity, as he then doesn’t have to put up with parent-nag (You know, when kids says, “I’m hungry”, “Or we almost there?”, “I have to go to the bathroom.”). In the long run, games and activities on the trail not only can make the hike more enjoyable but can even cause children to want to go on more hikes.
On this blog and in Hikes with Tykes you’ll find a number of games and activities geared for hiking children. To find them at this blog, simply type “activities” into the search engine at the upper left. Find a couple that you think your children will enjoy and give them a try!
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Don't attempt to rescue trapped animals discovered on day hike
Despite your desire to show mercy (especially in front of your children), don’t go near a trapped animal that you come run across during a hike. It probably will bite. The trap also may injure you as you try to free the animal. Should you see a trapped animal – or traps of any kind on public lands – immediately report it to the park ranger or authorities. The trap probably has been illegally set.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
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