On Your Hike

Even though the hike may not be long in terms of distance, there are plenty of things that can be done to make the hike as adventurous as possible. You will have a successful hike with your children if you can make it an adventure filled with discoveries. Since children find almost everything in nature to be an adventure, you won’t have to go too down the trail to make it happen.

Engage their senses

Discoveries can be found all over the trail. Brush leaves out of the way and look for insects, watch pollinators interact with flowers, touch the bark of various trees, listen to the calls of birds, etc… There is no limit to the amount of things that can be discovered in nature. To help with the exploration, bring a kids guidebook or magnifying glass. Most importantly, let children share their discoveries with you as you share discoveries with them.

Take time to observe

Encounters with nature can be extremely educational and meaningful. Make sure you take time to observe. From watching a centipede cross the trail to learning the names of trees based on the bark, connections to nature can be made through observation.

Be patiently excited

Kids can find an adventure in everything – a stick, a rock, a bird, a bug, etc… Even though they may stop every two seconds to look at the next coolest thing they ever saw, be patient. Being patient and getting excited about what they are excited about will only aid in their desire for more encounters in nature.