Hiking – Kids Discover Nature

Hiking with Kids: How to Keep Them Motivated

by Jodi Valenta

Hiking with children can be challenging, especially when they are young. My five-year-old daughter enjoys hiking, but tends to get bored easily and often wants to turn around and head home within about 30 minutes of beginning the hike. At least she is predictable! This is about the time I employ some creative activities to keep her interested.

Keeping kids motivated while on the trail:
1) take a break and talk about what they have seen
2) take a food and water break
3) have them whip out the magnifying glass they packed and direct them to something interesting to investigate
4) tell them it is their turn to be the leader – kids love looking for and following the blaze marks on trees that mark the trail
5) picture time! – take a group picture or pictures the kids find interesting (or better yet, have them bring a camera along)
6) scavenger hunt – before you leave provide a list (with simple sketches) on paper of items your child should look for as you hike. When boredom strikes, have him/her take the paper out and, with a pencil, check the items off the list as they are found.
7) Play “I Spy” colors or letters – as you walk along challenge them to spy something that begins with the letter _____. For example, if you see a huge rock, it would be something that begins with the letter “r.” Do the same with colors, like “green” leaves.

Here are some additional great ideas I found in the book “Nature’s Playgound” by Fiona Danks and Schofield.

1) Play sweetie fairy – This is great for little walkers. An adult sneaks ahead every so often and places sweets on the route, maybe on stump, rock or directly on the path. Toddlers and young children will find it exciting to search for and find the treats and will eagerly walk down path.
2) Collect interesting natural items like leaves, flowers, etc.
3) Play hide-and-seek along the trail
4) Hike with another family so the children get keep each other busy.

Keep in mind that hiking with children isn’t about getting from beginning to end. If you are flexible and focus on enjoying the walk and the time spent on the trail, everyone will have fun whether or not you you make it from point A to B. Just remember to make it an adventure the whole family will remember.

Hiking

Hiking with Kids: What to Pack?

by Editorial Staff

* This is the second in a series of posts about hiking with children. See the first “Where to Go” here.

So, you decided on a place to take your children hiking. The next question inevitably is “what to pack?” It might seem like a daunting task, but the key is to keep it simple. There are basic necessities you will need to bring along no matter the place or the distance. If you keep a list, you will always remember the basics and can add to them depending on where you are going and how long you will be gone.

Here is a list of the basics:
1) Map, compass and or GPS (purists would ditch the GPS).
2) Food – you will need a few snacks along the way. Make sure they are healthy and have protein and carbs. The classic GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) is always a favorite with my family. You can use dried fruit, soybeans, chocolate chips, seeds, granola or whatever your imagination conjures up that day.
3) Drink – water is best!
4) Sunblock
5) Hat, visor or sunglasses
6) Some extra clothes such as a sweat shirt, etc. if you will be gone a while. It is also wise to dress in layers if it is cool.
7) Basic first aid items/kit
8) Most importantly wear the correct shoes! A pair with sturdy soles that cover the entire foot such as sneakers or trail shoes are best. If you will be climbing rugged surfaces, hiking boots are a necessity (and make sure they fit properly).

Encourage your kids to carry their own stuff in a backpack if they are old enough. This will allow them to have control over when they need something from it. There is nothing more annoying for a kid (and the parent) then to have to constantly ask mom and dad for something. Plus, you can encourage them to pack a few items of their own to make the hike more interesting such as a collection bag, camera or magnifying glass. However, it would be wise to limit these items so you don’t end up carrying the bag if it gets to heavy for the child.

And there you have it! Now you have the quintessential list for summer hiking fun and just in time to take advantage National Park Service’s next fee-free weekend! The next one is scheduled for August 15-16, 2015. The Park Service is offering access to over 100 national parks that normally charge a fee. What a wonderful way for your kids to learn and appreciate the natural landscape of out country. It’s also a great way to have memorable family fun and save some money at the same time.

So now you know where you are going and you have your check list of what to pack. Now you just need some ideas on how to handle the inevitable ” I’m bored, when will we be done, etc.” comments. My next post will include some fun activities and tips on how you can keep kids motivated during the hike.

Hiking

Hiking with Kids: Where to Go

by Editorial Staff

Note: This is the first in a series of posts about hiking with children.

Hiking is a great way to introduce children to nature. Not only do the outdoors stimulate all the senses, it is great exercise (for grown ups too!). Going for a hike does not have to be a complicated activity, in fact, you and your kids can derive pleasure from just a simple walk in the woods. Go with your instincts and choose a place you think they will like. Try to think about it from their perspective – their sense of exploration and adventure.

The first “step” is to consider what places or trails are available to you. It might be a nearby park or forest, or maybe even a beach for nature center. The key is to choose a place that is easily accessible and nearby. You don’t want them to get bored on the way, nor do you want them to have trouble getting to the place where you plan to hike. Most importantly, be sure to involve them in the planning!

Hiking with kids always requires good planning. Below are some basic things to keep in mind as you decide where to go:
1) Consider their age – If your children are small enough, you can carry them in a specially designed backpack. If they are older, here are some pacing rules of thumb for children of varying ages (borrowed from Pine Mountain Trail Association): Children 2 to 4 years old can hike ½ to 2 miles on their own. They should stop every 10 to 15 minutes to rest. Children ages 5 to 7 can hike for 1 to 3 hours each day, covering 3 to 4 miles over easy terrain. Rest stops should come every 30 to 45 minutes. Eight and 9-year-olds can hike a full day at an easy pace, covering 5 to 6 miles over variable terrain.
2) Choose a place with varied terrain – For example, varied habitats, such as an area that changes from woods to meadows, are more interesting for kids than a flat field.
3) Don’t think too big – Do not expect to scale Mount Washington! Choose a place that is attainable so they (and you!) do not get discouraged. Climb a small hill or hike to a stream or pond.
4) Have a goal in mind – The top of that hill or the bank of the stream or pond are all great targets. It gives children something to think about on the way and they will look forward to it. Plus, they will feel a sense of reward when they reach their goal.
5) Make it challenging – Kids love to jump over streams, climb rocks and weave between trees. Find a place that offers challenges and you will not hear many complaints about boredom.
6) Make your hike into more than just a walk, make it and expedition. Plan to stop and look at things along the way, like a great view or a field of flowers. Point out interesting creatures and ask them questions about what they see.
7) Flexibility is key – Keep in mind that things may not go as planned. Your child may get tired sooner than you expect and many need to stop for a longer rest or an early lunch. They will also undoubtedly want to stop and investigate as they go.

If you take the time to plan before setting out, you will be prepared and your children will know what to expect. Good planning equals great times!

Be sure to check back for the next post in the series of Hiking with Kids. I will cover tips on what equipment and supplies to pack. Also, please comment and add any tips you have that I have not covered. Learning from others helps everyone!

Photo: FAMILY HIKING
© Rahela | Dreamstime.com

Tags: hiking, children, Mount Washington, terrain, backpack, Pine Mountain Trail Association, children, kids, nature

Book review

Haunted Hikes in Vermont

by Editorial Staff

Connect to Nature this Halloween and maybe the Supernatural too!

If you want to connect to nature this Halloween, and do something spooky at the same time, this is the book for you (but not your little ones).

I have been searching for a topic to cover this Halloween that offers something unique for my readers — something different from the typical “how to use nature to decorate for Halloween” topic. Not that there is anything wrong with that, we enjoy taking Bean and Budder to the pumpkin patch every year, gathering leaves and gourds, creating spider webs and going batty for one of our favorite holidays. However, as true fan of Halloween I really, really enjoy the “supernatural” side of the holiday. Ghosts and goblins intrigue me. I love a good ghost story. Yes, I am a believer…as I’ve had my own experiences with ghosts. In fact, there is one ghost story I tell which is about my first-hand experience with a ghoul that brings tears to my eyes and raises the hair on the back of anyone’s neck who listens.

The thing is, with two children under seven, I can’t go there…yet. We do the basic Halloween stuff, of which ghosts and skeletons are natural part of it. But if there was a real understanding of what those symbols of Halloween really mean, there would be a BIG problem in our house! In other words, they would be sharing the ‘rents bed for the next 10 years. So, in a nutshell, I guess you can say I am ghost deprived.

Haunted Hikes in Vermont: A Book Review

Naturally, I was intrigued when I received the book entitled Haunted Hikes of Vermont to review. It awakened the inner ghost chaser in me. I also thought might offer an interesting way to get older kids involved in nature as it’s not the typical “corny nature activity” and I have had several readers mention they would like to learn more about nature activities for older children. But be warned, some of the haunted hikes covered in the book are not for the feint of heart, and they might even be too scary for high schoolers.

Upon reading the introduction, it was apparent that the author, Tim Simard, did a ton of first-hand research into hikes in Vermont that take you to haunted places. And we aren’t talking graveyards here! We are talking about real hauntings, where people have seen ghosts, heard the sound of a train where no tracks exist and lights flashing in the middle of the woods. It also covers places where there are doors to another dimension, where people have disappeared never to be seen again, and where monsters lurk in lakes. No matter you personally believe, parts of the book are truly creepy. So much so, that even I question whether I want to do any of the hikes, especially at night! In other words, ignorance is bliss and that’s the way I think I prefer it in this case.

The book is well written. Simard divides it into 13 chapters, each covering a different area of the state, beginning in southern Vermont then heading north. Each chapter includes a historical review of the area Haunted Hikes of Vermont including the related ghost stories and legends. If you enjoy a good ghost story, it’s worth reading the book for just that purpose. He also includes descriptions of each trail and directions to it, the level of difficulty, elevation, distance and time it takes to hike it. Additionally, he provides excellent details of each trail, how to access it in winter, and what specifically to look for, like beautiful limestone cliffs, rare and fragile alpine plants, moose, deer and little green men who just disembarked from their UFO.

Throughout the book, I couldn’t determine whether or not Simard believed all the tales he recounted. As he described his experience on there trail, he recounted strange occurrences, but also seemed skeptical of others. In the end I came to the conclusion that no matter what he personally believed, he was certainly more brave than I!

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, and as a New Englander, found the historical background quite interesting. It covers many of the most beautiful, difficult and breathtaking hikes in Vermont and could easily serve as the prefect trail companion in that respect alone. When you add the creepiness factor, those who like being scared, or are just downright interested in the supernatural, unexplained events, UFO’s and the like will appreciate it.

Since we’re on the topic, does anyone know a good ghost story???

Nature Activities for Kids

Trees on the Trail

by MCC

One thing you see a lot of while hiking is fallen trees. These provide a great opportunity for learning about nature. The next time you stumble across one while walking or hiking, take some time to investigate it with your child.

Look for signs of the decaying wood being eaten. The holes and tunnels you see are made by many different creatures including sow bugs, carpenter ants, beetles, milipedes and many more. Fallen trees are food for these creatures and are and important part of the food web know as the Detritus Cycle.

Many animals use them for hiding places to avoid predators and for shelter from harsh weather. Just a few of these animals are rabbits, turtles, raccoons, wood turtles, box turtles, shrews, voles, salamanders and even ladybugs.

Decaying logs also provide food for other creatures, most notably, woodpeckers. They eat the insects that are eating the wood. Other animals you may see on logs looking for food are spiders, beetles, nuthatches, warblers, turtles, chipmunks and mice.

Fallen trees make great places for animals to have and raise young. Many different insects such as as spiders, beetles, caterpillars and bees use them for this purpose.

When you think about it, one fallen log in a forest plays a very important and vital role for so many different animals. It is part of a community. You can discuss this with your child and help him/her understand the relationships between living creatures. Compare it to our dependence on other creatures for food, shelter, etc. and how humans depend on things in our community.

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