Motivating your youngsters to leave the confines of their bedroom and venture into the outdoors can sometimes be challenging, but here are five ways to make hiking more fun for them.
1. NATURE HIKES
By incorporating nature into your hikes you can get your kids to really engage with whats around them. There are so many ways to do this, you shouldn't have any problem finding something that's age appropriate. Perhaps draw up a check list on items you think you might spot; it could be anything from acorns to rabbit holes - whatever encourages them to look about - just tick items off as you come across them. Another idea is to take a children's bird / plant / butterfly book and encourage the kids to identify certain species when they see them. Really young children might be happy simply to find a leaf that is larger than their hand.
2. TAKE PLENTY OF SNACKS
Avoid constant cries of "I'm hungry" by packing a supply of lightweight, energy-boosting snacks and drinks. Nuts, raisins and dried or fresh fruit are always a winner, if not home-made energy bars or supermarket alternatives are just as effective. If you're happy for them to have a little 'bad' sugar, then Kendal Mint Cake is the classic hiking energy booster. The children can then run off any resultant sugar rush. Hopefully...
To wash it all down, there's nothing better than plain old water. However, carrying numerous bottles can weigh you down, so avoid aluminium flasks and get the kids excited about drinking Adam's Ale by using some interesting collapsible water bags, such as the Platypus range - these are flexible, sturdy and plastic, plus they roll up when empty and weigh next to nothing.
3. GO ON A NIGHT HIKE
What's more exciting than doing something totally removed from your normal routine and going out at night? Surprise the children at the weekend by getting them ready for a hike in the evening. You'll need torches and perhaps some hot drinks, plus it's sensible to pick a route that isn't too perilous to avoid any trips. Alternatively, a quick search on the internet might return several organised children's night hikes - the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) runs such events periodically across their sites, in which the kids could see bats and other nocturnal wildlife. Plenty of the UK's national parks also run night walks, many on a theme, such as 'Fright Nights' for Halloween.
4. BUY THEM SOME COOL HIKING GEAR
Comfort is paramount, so its essential your kids have the right footwear and clothing to cope with the elements. However, that doesn't mean buying the clunkiest, most practical gear in the shop; instead, get something that will make them want to hike with you, such as a pretty coloured / camouflage-printed waterproof hiking jacket! Kids love the little details, so finding one that incorporates hidden pouches and pockets is sure to be a winner. If nothing else works, consider equipping them with the latest gadgetry, such as a Nite Ize Ziplit Light to illuminate the way and keep your child clearly seen or with a GPS so that they can track where you're going and how many miles you've covered.
5. KEEP IT FUN
As any parent will attest, children have an exceptionally short attention span and being outdoors offers no respite. If you want to avoid the inevitable cries of: "I want to go home", then make sure you keep your hikes fun and creative. Limit the hikes to a distance that is appropriate for little legs so that they don't get tired out too quickly. Let older kids plan and lead the hike. Look out for unexpected things to talk about and explore - fallen trees, a deer running through the forest, a clump of bright fungi. Bring paper and crayons so you can all draw elements from the hike. Best of all, bring a fully-charged camera so that you can capture the fun you're having.
Hiking is wonderful exercise for the entire family and being able to enjoy this activity will bring far more benefits than simply getting the blood pumping - you could create wonderful adventures that they will never forget.
WILD NIGHT OUT: GET INVOLVED
There are so many ways you can go wild at night. Anyone and everyone can take this opportunity to make some amazing memories to treasure forever. To get your imagination going, we’ve gathered together some ideas, stories, and how-to guides to help you design the very best Wild Night Out for you.
Everyone needs a Wild Night Out!
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