Whether you’d like to get
outside right now, or are planning for your next vacation, there is no
reason to let having a young child in your family stop you from pursuing
your favorite outdoor activity.
Outdoor activities are a fun and inexpensive
way to get your kids up and moving, avoiding the obesity epidemic and
forging life-long habits and passions. The outdoors provides a great natural
learning experience, as well as unique opportunities to bond with your child
without the distractions of daily life. You’ll save money because, once you
have the equipment, it’s less expensive to go fishing or snowshoeing than to
take the kids to an amusement park.
With a little bit of planning
and preparation, children of all ages can accompany you as you enjoy outdoor
activities year ‘round, whether it’s a cross-country skiing expedition, an
afternoon of cycling, a 30-minute hike or a week-long backpacking trip.
Planning Your Family’s
Outdoor Adventure
Set resonable limits and allow plenty of extra
time for everything – packing gear, getting up in the morning, cooking,
setting up the tent, and hiking. Remember that, in winter, the snow will
slow you down and exhaust short legs.
If you or your kids are first-time campers,
consider doing a rehearsal right in your backyard, learning how to set
up a tent and how to build a campfire.
A tent with a vestibule is perfect for the family
dog, or for storing wet boots and backpacks.
A “three-season” sleeping bag is good for most
conditions. Look for junior or short-sized bags for kids And keep the
sleeping bags dry – pack in plastic bags, use a tent cloth underneath
your tent and teach your kids good tent etiquette to keep things dry.
Equipment can be expensive, especially if you have
several children. You can solve that problem with used gear from a
equipment swaps. Many sporting goods stores rent things like snowshoes
and cross-country skis, giving you a chance to try different activities
and equipment before buying.
Make sure everybody has proper-fitting waterproof
boots, either non-insulated hiking books or insulated winter boots,
waterproof or quick-drying clothing and sun protection.
A backpacking trip is just an extended hike,
sleeping out at least one night. Be careful that nobody carries too much
weight – about 20 percent of body weight is suggested.
If you’re hiking with a baby, look for a child
carrier that comes with accessories such as sun or rain canopies so that
your passenger stays cozy and shielded from the elements. A front
carrier or sling is recommended for babies up to six months old, to give
head and neck support.
Hikes with infants should be very short; older
babies may last up to an hour at a time. Given ample snacks, toddlers
can usually handle a one- to two-mile hike.
To keep older children interested, make the hike a
game of discovery, using a scavenger list of things to find along the
way. Pack some bird and plant identification guides along with your
patience.
Lastly, while planning is important, don’t take
over and get your kids too organized. Make sure they’re involved from
the beginning, then step back, let them learn from their own experiences
and enjoy their adventurous spirit.
Author Wendy Priesnitz is the Editor of this and other magazines. She is a journalist with
over 40 years of experience and has also authored 13 books.
Visit her website.