Top 5 Reasons to Hike with your Kids
Hiking with little ones can definitely be a challenge. But the reward is worth so much more than the hiccups you might have along the way, especially when you first start. One of our very first outings with Jack, he was only 12 weeks old and it was the middle of winter. He was in a snowsuit, warm and comfy in his Baby Bjorn until he had a massive blowout. The bathroom we found didn’t even have a changing table, just a windowsill above the toilet so we both had to maneuver ourselves on to the toilet leaned into the window, trying to wipe him off with paper towels (because I forgot the wipes) and just hope for the best. It was so awful at the time, but now its just a really hysterical memory I will never forget what a poopy disgusting mess that was. But it can only get better right?
1.) I think one of the most important gifts hiking gives children is self-confidence and the ability to envision themselves conquering any obstacle they set their little mind to. This is especially true once they are 2-3 years old and really getting into the “I wanna do it all by myself” phase. The pride Jack has after finishing a long hike is endless. He talks about it for days and gets so excited re-living his adventure and remembering how far he walked and how high he climbed. We all take turns being the leader, so he even gets to practice making decisions and be in charge of which direction we go. Along with confidence they also learn communication skills and trail etiquette. Skills they can put to use in real life scenarios.
2.) They learn to appreciate the outdoors and be respectful of nature. We always practice “Leave No Trace” and I firmly believe that teaching children when they are young about the importance of keeping the planet clean is hugely important. If children don’t grow up learning these important life lessons, they very well could grow up being irresponsible and careless and further contribute to the littering epidemic. Jack loves being outside in the woods or on a trail. He makes games exploring and we even pick up trash we see along the way. We bring tons of yummy snacks and he always has his bug catcher net and binoculars in our bag. Sometimes my favorite is just doing a short 2-3 mile hike–that you can really take your time and enjoy scenery and wildlife with frequent breaks, especially in the summer months when it gets hot hot hot.
3.) Its great exercise. When we first started hiking with Jack, it was mostly because we both needed to lose a few pounds (and because it is something we genuinely enjoy doing together). But the endorphins you get after a long and strenuous afternoon hike make you feel great for the rest of the day. Jack loves running around getting dirty and sweaty and makes a point to tell us how much he really enjoys getting his fresh air. An added bonus is the extended nap they take when you get home because the exhaustion is real. Hiking is super great for your cardiovascular system and if you pick trails with lots of incline and rough terrain you really get a full body workout and use muscles you don’t even realize you have. Add a 30 or 40 lb child strapped on your back and you will be whipped into shape in no time.
4.) No cell service (usually). This might be my favorite reason to get out there and hike with the fam bam because I know we will be able to have an entire day to have fun together with no interruptions. Being able to really focus on each other and listen without distraction is very refreshing. When your husband is constantly checking his work email, and getting phone calls at all hours (because hey, planes never stop flying) having him all to myself for a day is a joyous occasion in itself. You create so many more amazing memories with your children when there isn’t a phone anywhere around. Also kids cant walk and watch video at the same time either so…..you’re basically just winning all around.
5.) They learn resilience. Teaching young children to keep going even when it gets hard is quality they will need for the rest of their lives. Kids nowadays give up quickly and find something else to do rather than focus their energy on conquering a challenge. Our 3 year old has climbed some pretty intense mountains. Yes, he complains and whines and asks to be carried when his legs hurt, but he is just a kid. The important thing is to teach them to keep going. To focus on the end goal. And celebrate like crazy with them after the accomplish it.
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