Have Child, Will Get Outside
By Wendy Priesnitz
 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
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Set reasonable 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.
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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.
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A tent with a separate porch is perfect for the family
dog, or for storing wet boots and backpacks.
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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 in order to keep things dry.
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Equipment can be expensive, especially if you have
several children. You can solve that problem with used gear from 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Learn More
Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing With Children by Rolf Kraiker, Debra
Kraiker (Boston Mills Press, 1999)
The Outdoor Family Fun Guide: A Complete Camping, Hiking, Canoeing, Nature
Watching, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Climbing, and General Fun Book for Kids
(and Their Parents) by Michael Hodgson, Nicole Hodgson (McGraw Hill, 1998)
Parents’ Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide by Alice Cary (W.W.
Norton, 1997)
Camping and Backpacking With Children by Steve Boga (Stackpole Books, 1995)
Kids in the Wild: A Family Guide to Outdoor Recreation by Cindy Ross, Todd Gladfelter (Mountaineers Books, 1995)
Photo © Christophe Testi/Shutterstock
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