Practical Tips for Walking with Children
Practical Tips for Walking with Children: Making Family Hikes Enjoyable and Successful.
Walking with children can be a delightful experience, but it requires thoughtful planning and preparation. Here’s our guide to ‘walking with children’ to help you ensure that your family hikes are enjoyable and successful.
Choose the Right Weather
- Check the Forecast: Always review the weather forecast before setting out. If the conditions aren’t favourable, don’t hesitate to postpone your walk.
- Prepare for Rain: Light rain showers can be manageable with proper attire. Ensure children are equipped with waterproof clothing to stay dry and warm. Also, consider wind speed and direction, as well as night time temperatures if you plan to camp.
Invest in Quality Kit
- Prioritize Essentials: Focus your budget on crucial gear such as quality waterproofs, boots, and sleeping bags. These items are essential for both comfort and safety. You can view our ‘what to pack‘ article for more information.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: Given that children grow quickly, you can save money by:
- Handing Down Gear: Maintain and pass down items to younger siblings.
- Choosing Versatile Items: Opt for gender-neutral gear that works for all your children.
- Shopping Smart: Look for suitable clothing in charity shops and buy slightly larger sizes to accommodate growth.
- Checking Adult Sales: XXS sizes in adult sections can often fit children with minor adjustments.
Get Child-Sized Backpacks
- Start with Waist Packs: Initially, let children carry their snacks and small items in waist packs. As they grow, transition them to full-sized backpacks.
- Ensure a Good Fit: Choose backpacks that fit well and offer good capacity and comfort, allowing children to carry their own gear efficiently.
Feed Them Well
- Pack Plenty of Snacks: Children expend a lot of energy while walking, so pack ample snacks. They enjoy having control over their own snacks and choosing what to eat during breaks.
- Allow Treats: During multi-day hikes, it’s okay to let them enjoy their favourite treats. They are burning many calories, making it a worthwhile incentive.
Build Resilience
- Encourage Regular Walking: Make walking a part of daily life—whether to school, the shops, or other destinations. Frequent walking with children helps build stamina and makes longer hikes more manageable.
- Create Positive Experiences: Make walking a fun and normal activity. Although initially walking with children might be slow, persistence and incorporating fun elements, such as night walks or rewarding them with treats, can make it more enjoyable.
Add Fun Items to Their Backpack
To make walking with children more exciting, let them pack some fun and engaging items. Here are some ideas:
- Binoculars: Perfect for bird watching and spotting wildlife along the trail. Children love exploring and identifying different animals.
- Nature Journal: Encourage them to draw or write about their observations. It’s a great way to foster an interest in nature and keep them engaged.
- Favourite Snacks: In addition to the essentials, let them pack some of their favourite treats. It’s a fun way to keep their energy up and make breaks more enjoyable.
- Small Toys or Gadgets: Lightweight toys, like a small compass, bug-hunting pot or a magnifying glass, can turn a hike into an adventure and spark curiosity.
- Camera or Smartphone: If age-appropriate, let them take pictures of interesting things they see. It’s a fun way to document their journey and look back on their adventure.
- Lightweight Books or Games: For longer rests, a small book or travel-sized game can help pass the time and keep them entertained.
- Personal First Aid Kit: A mini first aid kit with bandages and antiseptic can make them feel more involved and prepared.
Getting children accustomed to hiking requires time and preparation, but with the right approach, they can develop a love for it. Ensure they are well-prepared, warm, and fed, and they will enjoy every moment of your adventures. Packing some fun items in their backpacks can further enhance their experience and make hiking an exciting activity. As they grow, they will be more eager to join you on longer walks and embark on their own outdoor explorations.
By following these practical tips, you can enhance your family hiking experiences and create lasting memories in the great outdoors.
A few extra things children may like to see and do while exploring the South West Coast Path:
- Land’s End
- Levant Mine & Beam Engine
- Gweek Seal Sanctuary
- Charlestown Shipwreck Centre
- Porthleven boat trip
- Sealife Centre Plymouth
- Falmouth Maritime Museum
- Babbacome Model Village
- Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
- Ferry over to the Sandbanks
You can find links to more things to do and more places to see whilst walking in with children in the South West of England below.