Being in contact with nature is a very beneficial activity, both for the body and the mind. Going out to natural environments is of vital importance, especially for children, since, in addition to helping feel connected with nature, It allows them to run, play, get dirty, explore, learn, and feel free.
If, in addition to going out to the countryside, you want your child to do some exercise, while enjoying and learning, hiking is the ideal activity. Taking advantage of weekends or vacations to go for a walk in a natural environment brings many benefits for both your children and you. Hiking, in addition to keeping you in shape, helps you disconnect from day to day, it will surprise your children because it is a different environment than usual and it will make you return home as new.
Benefits of hiking for children
On a physical level
- Fight obesity and sedentary lifestyle helping to keep your children away from televisions and screens in general.
- Improves circulation, cleanses the lungs and helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
- Increases physical endurance, both at a cardiovascular and muscular level.
- It helps to improve balance and motor skills. By walking on unpaved terrain, with natural obstacles, children learn to overcome them by improving their psychomotor skills.
- Strengthens the immune system. Clean air, exercise, contact with the earth, water and animals, favors resistance to pathogenic microorganisms.
On a psycho-emotional level
- Hiking reduces stress, improves mood, and increases feeling of relaxation and well-being.
- Favors the development of self-esteem and autonomy. In the field, play is favored in a free environment, with fewer rules, children being able to climb a tree, stain themselves or cross a stream. In addition, encountering small obstacles favors decision-making in a natural way.
- Stimulates creativity and imagination by offering endless free learning and play options.
At the level of socio-affective relationships
- It reinforces values such as cooperation and friendship. Tasks like bringing food or water can be divided. Also, if you go with other children, they can help each other to overcome obstacles or support each other when they are tired.
- More time is spent with the family, in an environment that encourages complicity and an adventurous spirit.
- Encourages respect and love for nature. With our example, children learn to value it and to be more aware of the importance of its conservation.
- Favors the learning in a playful and fun way. As we walk we can learn the names of the plants and animals that we find along the way.
Basic tips to enjoy hiking with your children
Hiking is ageless. Anyone can practice it, you just need to adapt it to the needs and physical conditions of your children. Therefore, change the chip and try to see the activity with the eyes of a child to instill in your children the passion for this enriching activity.
- Prepare the excursion together. Talk to your children about the place you are going to visit, look for information, itineraries, check the weather and prepare everything you need as a family to make it an unforgettable day.
- Bring enough food and drink to spend the day. Try to include foods such as dried fruits or nuts that are light and provide a lot of energy.
- Prepare a small medicine cabinet with everything you need to heal any scuff or scratch.
- Give children responsibilities. From 3 or 4 years old, children can carry their own backpack, adapting the weight to their age. In addition, making them participate in the decisions about when to rest, which itinerary to follow, being in charge of the map or looking for signs of the trails, will help them feel the activity as something in which they really participate.
- No hurry, respect their rhythms. It is not necessary to break any records, or to reach a specific place. The important thing is to enjoy the day and the surroundings. It is normal for children to stop to observe out of curiosity. If you are tired you can make a stop to rest, drink water or have a snack.
- Let them feel free. As they play, explore, and get smudged, children are learning things that only nature can teach them.
- Find out about the itinerary in advance and about what you can find in it to be able to teach your children and answer their questions.
- Take into account the clothes. Find out about the time it will take to wear the right clothes and shoes for the weather. Bring something to spare so you can change if they get wet.
- Use sun protectioneven in winter.
- Don't forget your camera and binoculars to be able to observe and immortalize everything that catches your attention.
- Remember that many species are protected. Do not uproot plants or disturb animals. Try to leave the place the same or better than when you arrived.
Now that you know the benefits and some ideas for hiking with your children, there is no excuse. Take advantage of the weekend to Put on your boots and go out to enjoy nature as a family.
Happy excursions!