Here’s How to Plan for a family hiking
It’s that time of the year again when you are faced with tons of family get-together and fun games to choose from. You and your spouse are pondering on the coming holiday and making it memorable and worthwhile. The kids have always longed to do something adventurous, something truly natural and different from what they are used to. You want to make them happy, but you are running out of ideas or clueless about what to do, right? Well, I have a suggestion–hiking! Every hiking experience is a refreshing and exciting one. The experience is truly beneficial, not only as hiking all fun, but it’s filled with, mental, psychological, and health benefits.
5 Things to Consider for a family hiking
Hiking can be a very beautiful and memorable experience. However, it becomes a tedious and exhausting adventure when unplanned. Complaints and whines about blistered feet, boring treks, and unfavorable weather can make it all horrible when proper plans are not in place. Here are some suggestions about what to do to make your next family hiking a memorable one.
Hike Location
The best place for hiking is no other place but the woods! Every child has an unquenchable curiosity, and stepping in the trail is one of the best ways to tickle their fantasies. Just make sure to choose a location suitable for you and your family.
Time of the day
Schedule a morning hike when the weather is cooler and fresher rather than in the afternoon as it tends to be scorching hot during the summer makes it improbable to fix a family hike in the wild. Meanwhile, contrary to conventional perspectives, a night hike is also a great time to set out on the trail. The crisp atmosphere makes everyone feel refreshed and relaxed.
Route Length
This is dependent on the age and fitness level of your kids.
The age and vigor of your kids play a big factor. If your kids are very young, you might decide to shorten the duration of the journey and choose only trails with lowlands. A maximum of one hour into the woods and an hour back to the park is good for starters and kids. However, if you have some older kids and more agile then you can go all out.
Hiking Attire
You don’t need to spend a fortune on your hiking attires. All you need is a comfy shirt, shorts or jeans, a cap or hat and a much durable pair of shoes. Let’s not forget all other hiking essentials such as gloves, sunscreen, bug repellent and of course a camera to capture the moments and the amazing view on top.
Remember the most important hiking gear is your shoes. Never wear ill-fitting shoes or a new one to hike. Thick rubber sole shoes or hard sole sneakers are highly recommended. If you’re a beginner and won’t be hiking the whole day, cotton socks will be just fine. Otherwise, high-tech socks are a must-have to keep you comfortable, blister-free and dry and odor-free all throughout the day. Alternatively, you can bring along a mini first aid kid for precautionary measures against emergencies.
Hike Breaks and Snacks
What’s a hike without energy breaks and trail snacks called? Horrible! Trail snacks are not just about settling to chill out or garner energy for the journey ahead, they are also for nutritional refreshments and mental relaxation. Cut fruits, berries, bananas, carrots, and other light snacks can be packed in plastic bags or a tiny container for each one.
Regardless of age, gender, and socio-economic status, hiking is surely a very good way to get your family closer and happier!