Hiking with children
What adults should consider
You can also go hiking with children.
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Go hiking with kids? Why not? However, if you have your little ones with you, you should keep a few points in mind.
Wander through the untouched nature, enjoy the sun and spend time with the family: both young and old get their money’s worth when hiking. However, if you want to plan a longer tour with your children, you should consider a few points.
Right route and enough time
Above all, it is important to correctly assess the ability and performance of the children. How surefooted are the offspring? How long can they walk at a time without losing interest or getting out of breath? The route should also be selected according to these parameters. To keep the children happy, plan enough time so that they can explore and discover the area in peace. Be it that you can watch the ants along the way without stress or, depending on the season, look for mushrooms. It is best to define and plan a route together so that the children do not feel left out and start with a certain amount of anticipation.
If you are out in nature with children, you should definitely have enough to drink with you. Also think about food, whether fruit, muesli bars or sandwiches. Small snacks for in between give strength and energy during the hike. Larger meals are available at serviced huts, it is best to find out about the opening times beforehand. Also think about cash, as not all accept card payments.
That should be in the backpack
Some children also want to carry their own belongings for the hike. Definitely pay attention to the weight. The German Alpine Association recommendsthat the backpack may weigh a maximum of ten percent of the body weight. Even when the weather is cloudy, think of sunscreen with a sufficient sun protection factor, a cap also protects your head, and sunglasses protect your eyes. A first-aid kit is generally in good hands in every hiking rucksack in the event of an accident. Mosquito spray and tick tweezers are useful in the warm months.
Not only adults should pay attention to suitable, functional clothing. Make sure you have good equipment, even for children. This includes breathable T-shirts, sweaters, rain jackets, comfortable hiking pants and hiking shoes with a good profile. When you arrive at the summit, it is best to take off your sweaty clothes. A change of clothes prevents you from catching a cold. In the case of children, there is the additional factor that they heat up very quickly, but also cool down more quickly. Therefore, it is better to put on an extra sweater at the summit. A hat or headband will keep your ears warm.
fun during the hike
In order to keep children happy during the hike, it is worth keeping fairy tales or legends of the region in mind. In addition, the companions can bring the animal and plant world closer to the little hikers, while also showing the necessary respect for nature. Small souvenirs such as stones or pine cones are great mementos of the trip together. With the help of binoculars, the children can explore the forests and surrounding landscapes wonderfully.