Winter is one of the best times of year to really be able to see birds as well as signs of other wildlife. The leaves are off the trees, the ground may be covered with snow making footprints visible. It’s the perfect time to take kids outside for a wildlife walk or hike.
Below are 8 Tips for making your winter hike with kids a success:
1. Warm boots are essential, as are warm socks. Cold feet means you’ll have unhappy hikers and likely a short trip. For socks, wool is best and an acrylic blend will work. Try to avoid cotton.
2. Dress in layers – hiking in snow or up hill will make everyone hot and you may need to peel layers as you go.
3. Bring snacks – there’s nothing like food to motivate when all else fails. A thermos of warm drinks might also be helpful.
4. Pick the right hike for your kids. If you have pre-schoolers, a walk through the local park or nature center may be the perfect outdoor adventure. For those with elementary age kids start with a hike that is around a mile or so if you are in a snowy area and definitely under 1.5 miles elsewhere. You don’t want to ruin it for them the first time out and a shorter distance will give them a sense of accomplishment.
5. Talk about what you might see on the hike before you go. Check books out of the library about birds in winter or animal tracks to help get your kids excited about what they might see outdoors.
6. Whether in a city park or in a rural setting, winter can be a great time of year to stop and listen for sounds in nature. Take the time during your hike to stop and listen. What sounds do you and your children hear?
7. If there is snow on the ground where you live and it’s not too deep – consider veering off the path – you’ll always have your tracks to get back home. This can be exciting for older kids who may be stuck in a routine of being on the path from their time at school.
8. Keep a record of all the different things you see on the hike either with a journal, using a camera, or a pre-created checklist from 5. Use this info to do a project with your kids later in the week.
Remember that it can be incredibly challenging to get everyone out the door with all their gear on, but this time outside will likely be something they talk about for weeks on end, so take a deep breath and keep asking them to put their mittens on. 🙂
Happy hiking!