Fun nature game for kids: Tree Shake

Children (and probably you, too) will be amazed by the number and types of
bugs on a tree at any given time. Photo courtesy of Photoree.

Generally, exploring and discovery is enough for kids, but sometimes even they can grow bored with that and become restless. Remember that they naturally have shorter attention spans than adults.

Fortunately, there are lots of tried and true activities you can do on the trail that’ll keep kids from getting bored. Among them is Tree Shake, a favorite of kids who love bugs.

During a rest stop, lay a bed sheet or a few yards of butcher block paper (white works best in both instances) under a small tree. When selecting a tree, make sure it has branches that would move if the trunk were shaken by children.

Next, shake the tree.

Lots of material – including bugs – will fall onto the sheet/paper. Have children look amid the debris for bugs. A magnifying glass can help kids see them better.

Older children might page through a field guide to local insects (There's probably one at your library.) to identify the critters.

Safety note: Kids shouldn't touch the bugs, especially spiders and ticks.

Materials: White bed sheet or white butch block paper, magnifying glass, insect field guide (for older children)

Ages: 2 and up

Learn about more than a hundred other hiking diversions for kids in Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities.

Plenty of good reasons to day hike during winter months

This article originally was written for and appeared in a slightly different form at Seattle Backpackers Magazine.

Day hiking season isn’t over just because temperatures have dropped and snow has fallen. Many days during winter, especially in the southern United States, sport pleasant weather, and even in northern climes sometimes just some warmer clothing is needed.

In fact, winter offers several advantages over summer for day hiking:
g No bugs – Annoying insects like mosquitoes and ticks generally are gone after the first freeze. They won’t be back until a significant portion of the snow melts next spring.
g Smaller crowds – National, state, and county parks generally see lower attendance during winter months. That means you won’t have to jostle for position to see the sights.
g Increased visibility – In fact, you’ll see more on the trail during winter than summer. With green leaves having fallen off vegetation, you’ll have a better chance of seeing wildlife and geological formations.
g Entirely new environment – How a forest or wetlands appears in winter compared to summer is quite different. The animals inhabiting those areas also can change with migrations and hibernation.
g Snow offers options for new activities – You can’t build a snowman or go sledding in summer. But there’s more to do than that: animal tracks often are easier to spot in the snow, and snowshoeing allows you to go a little off trail in the thinner vegetation (not to mention the latter will keep you quite physically fit).

So don’t hang up your hiking gear just because autumn is almost over. Get out and enjoy a day hike this winter!

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Autumn marks perfect time to go day hiking with children

Though summer has passed, that’s no reason to put the hiking boots at the back of the closet until next May. Autumn actually is a great time to hit the trail with kids.

Why? Because there are:
g Cool, dry days – As winter approaches, summer’s heat and humidity dissipates. Late morning through the early afternoon, however, still can see warm, comfortable temperatures that might require a sweatshirt and jeans rather than T-shirt and shorts.
g Fewer bugs – Cool, dry days means few mosquitoes and virtually no other creepy crawlies, as they prefer standing water and warm air. Most insects’ life cycles have reached their end in September.
g Colorful leaves – Perhaps the best reason to hike in autumn is the changing fall foliage. The world appears to have been repainted, as red, gold and sienna orange leaves contrast with the blue sky.
g Better visibility – As those changing leaves fall to the ground, the landscape opens up, allowing you to spot interesting geological features or terrain that summer’s thick foliage keeps hidden.
g More animal sightings – Birds migrate while mammals gorge in preparation for winter’s cold. As the foliage no longer is as thick, seeing them is easier.
g Fewer crowds – Kids are back to school, guys are watching football, and whoever else is left wrongly thinks last night’s frost means the whole day will be cold. That makes for a quiet, peaceful trek on almost any given autumn day.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

How to avoid bugs when day hiking with children

To avoid bugs such as pesky mosquitoes, change the time and location
of your hike.

Mosquitoes, gnats, black flies…such little creatures can prove to be a great annoyance when day hiking, especially with children. Sometimes even insect repellent doesn’t help, mainly because after a mile or two of sweating, it runs off.

Hiking at the right time and the right places, however, almost always can ensure that bugs won’t bother you.

Opt to hike during these times:
g Early spring August through October – Bug populations peak in May and June.
g After lunch – This can help you avoid a couple of the more annoying insects as black flies like to be out during the morning while mosquitoes prefer dusk.
g Breezy days – Most bugs have difficulty flying when winds exceed 5 mph, so they won’t be out to bother you.
g Cooler days – Insects will be less active when the temperature is below 60 F, though you may need a sweatshirt.

Opt to hike in these locations:
g Dry areas – Bugs often lay their eggs in wet areas, so they’ll be more abundant near waterways, pools and wetlands.
g Sunny areas – Insects generally like shade, so a trail open to the sun means fewer of them. Don’t forget your sunscreen, though.

One last tip to avoid bugs: Don’t wear fragrances. The sweet, flowery scents attract bugs. Instead, use unscented deodorant or hair products before heading out onto a trail.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Don't skimp on water when day hiking with children

As water is the heaviest item you’ll probably carry, there is a temptation to not take as much as one should. Don’t skimp on the amount of water you bring, though; after all, it’s the one thing your body most needs. It’s always better to end up having more water than you needed than returning to your vehicle dehydrated.

How much water should you take? Adults need at least a quart for every two hours hiking. Children need to drink about a quart every two hours of walking and more if the weather is hot, dry or cold and if at a high altitude. To keep kids hydrated, have them drink at every rest stop. Don’t presume there will be water on the hiking trail. Most trails outside of urban areas lack such public amenities. In addition, don’t drink water from local streams, lakes, rivers or ponds. There’s no way to tell if local water is safe or not. As soon as you have consumed half of your water supply, you should turn around for the vehicle.

Adds Walt O., of Bozeman, Mont., “To be safe, keep extra water in the car just in case you underestimate the amount of water needed or if canteen spills leave you short on water during the hike. Water could be frozen in bottles so that when you arrive back at your vehicle, it’s still cold but melted.”

Bottled beverages containing juice or sports drinks are fine, but they also are no replacement for pure water. If your kids bring them, make sure they also drink water on the hike. In addition, don’t let children bring boxed juice, which can easily spill and attract stinging insects.

Finally, remember that when children are young you’ll need to carry their water as well. Accommodate for that in your packing.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

How to avoid and treat insect bites/stings on hiking kids

Treat insect bites with an anti-itch cream and don't scratch.

Rub repellent
rather than spray
it on children

The dangers of bug bites and stings range from just a minor annoyance to life-threatening diseases. In addition, once bitten, children tend to scratch the spot, resulting in a higher rate of infection than in adults.

You can avoid insects first and foremost by staying out of areas where they breed, such as swamps and bodies of still water. In mountainous areas, insect season usually occurs about two weeks after snow melts, so avoid hiking at that time.

Don't attract bugs
Remember that what attracts bugs are scents, so skip the perfume, aftershave, lotions and hairspray when hiking. Scented disposable diapers also can attract bugs.

Mosquito netting and insect-proof head nettings are effective at warding off bugs, but if you have to hike through areas necessitating that level of protection, it’s probably not a great place to take kids.

Insect repellent also works – and is recommended – though there is much to consider before putting it on.

First, don’t swab one- or two-month-old infants with any kind of insect repellent. For all other children, avoid those repellents containing DEET or picaridin and instead choose a product made with oil of lemon eucalyptus, which works just as well but doesn’t carry any potential side effects.

Cover with adhesive bandage
Test whatever repellents you purchase before heading into the wilds (especially if you do buy a repellent containing low concentrations of DEET and picaridin, which reportedly are safe). You don’t want your child to have an allergic reaction in the woods with a long walk out and then a long drive to an emergency room.

When putting repellent on children, don’t spray directly onto their face as it likely will get into their eyes, mouth and nostrils. Instead, spray on your hands and apply it. Do not place repellent on eyes, eyelids, lips, mouths, hands, cuts or wounds, and use it sparingly around the ears. With young children through early elementary school, you should apply it yourself. If a child develops a rash or has an allergic reaction to the repellent, wash it off immediately and get medical attention.

To treat any bug bite, clean the site with soap and water and apply an anti-itch cream, hydrocortisone, or Neosporin with Lydocain. Encourage kids not to itch the bite. On young children, cover the bite or sting with an adhesive bandage so they don’t scratch it open.

Whether bit or not, when you get home, wash off with soap and water areas of the body where repellent was applied. Also launder any clothes that came into contact with repellent.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Protect hiking kids with sunscreen, lip balm

Except in the Pacific Northwest, trails rarely are covered entirely in shade, so your child will need protection from the sun for both skin and lips.

For sunscreen, use a low scent/no scent variety. Scents can attract insects (leading to other issues) and even bears (really leading to other issues).

Use a children's sunscreen rather than one for adults, as some kids' skin can be sensitive. Look for sunscreen free of para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, as the chemical may cause skin problems for children.

An SPF of 30 is good.

For lip balm, make sure it has a SPF in it or lips will burn.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to best cross water with hiking kids

When hiking with children, you want to avoid crossing water. Still, sometimes to reach a destination you’ll have to go through small streams, or in the case of a tide or a recent flashflood you may be cut off from your vehicle. With children, it’s usually best to avoid a water crossing by properly timing your hike – don’t walk a beach at high tide, for example – or simply turning back when the trail ends at a waterway, such as when a bridge is washed out.

If you must cross, do so where the water is calm and no higher than hip deep, which probably will be too deep for young children, meaning you’ll need to put them in a baby carrier. You’ll typically find calm spots at a bend in the river or stream, mainly because the waterway widens and slows at the turn. Look ahead for any deep water. It will appear dark or greener than the rest of the waterway. Before crossing, check the far bank to make sure it isn’t undercut or steep, as climbing out of the water will be difficult for children or for you if they’re on your back.

One kind of water crossing you may face is rock hopping across a stream that at worst runs only a few inches deep. Approach any rock hopping cautiously, for the stones will be slippery. You want to keep your feet dry and don’t to want to risk falling – children can drown in just three inches of water. First, select your rock, looking for those that are wide enough to support one of your feet and that can be reached with steps rather than jumps. Always test each rock’s stability with your trekking pole before committing to it.

If you lose your balance, don’t fret about stepping into the water to stay upright. It’s almost always better to have one wet foot than to fall.

Waterlogged ground, such as marshland and swamps, ought to be avoided. More than your feet will get wet as you sink into mud, which makes stepping very difficult if not impossible for children. Should children fall, they might land in pockets of deep water. In addition, snakes and insects can abound in such environments.

Read more about cross dangerous terrain when day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.