5 Tips For Hiking With Your Family
Hiking is not only a great way to spend time together as a family, but can provide the opportunity for children to get outdoors and stay active. The following tips can help make hiking a great experience for everyone.
- Be Cautious Near Waterfalls and Lakes: When walking with children, it’s smart to choose scenic routes that will keep them captivated. Yosemite offers many trails that feature waterfalls and lakes. While the children will often plead for you to forget about the hike in favor of a swim, know that these bodies of water are home to animals and could be deeper or rockier than they appear. To avoid danger, always keep your children with you.
- Practice Safety: Keep, children, especially younger ones, in sight at all times. Make sure everybody knows what they are to do, or not do, in case of an emergency. Give each child a whistle to use in case he or she gets separated from the group. Always bring along a first aid kit when venturing out.
- Dress Properly: It's usually best to dress in layers when hiking. Bulky coats make it difficult to move easily and carrying the extra weight may wear a child out faster. Always bring extra an extra pair of shoes and socks. If there are a lot of rocks or steep climbing, it's probably time to invest in hiking boots.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Young children, even those who are physically fit, aren't able to walk as far as an adult. Make sure not to plan anything too overwhelming. Either buy child-sized backpacks or limit the items that the younger ones will carry. Make sure to have a backup plan in case the kids get worn out earlier than expected.
- Include Teachable Moments: Hiking with children will provide a goldmine of learning opportunities. Teach the kids about wildlife, how to navigate a trail, and being responsible by teaching leave no trace principles. Make the journey educational by being aware of the environment and discussing things along the way. There will likely be plenty of bugs, small animals, and interesting plants along the trail.
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