Hiking can be a year round activity, but autumn is a wonderful time of year to discover a trail, especially if you live in an area with fall foliage. There are so many trails to discover that it is easy to find one that will meet your family's hiking level and needs.
Benefits of Hiking as a Family
Bond as a Family. Kids seem to be as scheduled as their parents with sports, playdates, and after school activities. Time as a family has become limited in many cases and hiking brings you together for an adventure that everyone can enjoy and remember.
Exercise Benefits. As with any activity that gets you moving and the kids outside and away from the television or computer, hiking on a regular basis is an opportunity to improve everyone's overall fitness level. It can be a healthy hobby for life.
Nature Appreciation. Trails offer a lot of opportunities for learning about nature with so much to see and watch that we don't normally witness in our own backyards.
Non- Competitive. Kids are playing so many team oriented sports that hiking is a refreshing activity to do because it is done for fun and not to win.
Take a Family Hike
What You Will Need. Family hiking doesn't require a lot of fancy equipment or special skills. At minimum, you will need the following for a short hike.
- a good pair of sneakers or hiking shoes
- weather appropriate clothing
- bug spray
- water and snacks
- first aid kit (in case of a scrape or a bug bite)
- cell phone in case of an emergency
What to Look for With the Kids. Discover bugs, plants, birds, and wildlife. Different parts of a trail can have different environments such as swamps, meadows, and forests. Each environment will give you the opportunity to view the different plant, animal and insect life.
Where to Find a Hiking Trail. Finding hiking trails that meet your hiking level can be found through local tourism centers, Federal or State Agencies or organizations like the National Park Association. The Audubon Society may also be a good resource to find a trail that can take you through beautiful sanctuaries or have guided family hikes. You may want to ensure there are restroom facilities nearby as well if you hiking with younger children.
Safety Reminders. Ensure everyone knows that they need to stay on the trail, not wander from the group, and not touch plants as some can be poisonous. You should also set rules in the event you are separated from your child. Giving a child a whistle to use only if he is lost may be a good idea.
Just remember to set realistic goals when hiking with kids. They won't be able to hike at a fast pace and their legs can tire easily.
Learn about Letterboxing.
Kids and adults will enjoy this outdoor hobby that will have you hunting for small, weatherproof boxes that are located in easy-accessible places. Sometimes these letterbox locations are along a hiking trail and can make a hike more like a scavenger hunt. By following clues found on letterboxing websites, you will discover the letterbox and then record the discovery in a journal with the help of a rubber stamp that is a part of the letterbox. You then leave your own personal stamp on the log book in the letterbox.
Sometimes it is the simple things that are the most fun and memorable for kids. When activities,such as hiking, don't compromise your finances, everyone can enjoy them.
