Traveling with kids on an outdoor adventure can be great fun or a giant pain. . . The Spring 2011 issue of Women’s Adventure Magazine outlines a few tips for motivating kids. Some of the tips were particularly relevant for your next climbing adventure with children in tow.
Tips included:
- Involve the kids in planning the trip. Not so helpful for a younger audience but particularly necessary for those that are in the pre-teen stage.
- Make it fun. This one changes with the child. Example, if your child likes all things dirty, hiking with a bucket can be a joy. Think of other ways to make the entire experience an adventure.
- Develop their hobby. Hope that they are climbers or find something like an interest in plants, fossils etc that they can safely explore while at a climbing area.
- Set kid friendly limits. I think this one is one of the most important things to remember for both parents and children. Reset your expectations – don’t expect to hike as long as you do without kids. Don’t expect to climb from dawn to dusk without breaks. If your child is young enough and needs constant supervision (as do ours), don’t expect to climb as hard with kids as you do without. Women’s Adventure Magazine recommends that you plan “shorter distances aimed toward playful destinations”. When chosing a climbing destination and/or a specific area in which to climb, pick a climbing locale near a swimming area or someplace a child can safely explore while you climb.
- Finally, the Women’s Adventure Magazine article suggests that you focus on comfort. My addition – make sure that you have considered the basics like warmth, water, food, and then add in some favorite snacks. No one likes being wet so consider the weather (and bring rain gear if needed). Our “comfort” extra – we carry an REI Hammock for naps and/or rests. For those naysayers that think comfort is overrated, I suggest that you lighten your load by scrimping on the basics for yourself.
Check out the whole issue or just the article on motivating your kids for outdoors at Women’s Adventure Magazine
