Why a Family Hike Should be Part of Your Summer Routine

School is out, or will be very shortly, and you’ve now become your child’s full time social director.

The pressure’s on you to meet all his educational and entertainment needs for the next three months or so, and that’s on top of all of the commitments you’re already juggling.

Suddenly, your child has gained an extra seven hours in his day, and you certainly can’t afford to lose seven hours in your day!

If you had a dollar for every time he’s bound to tell you, “I’m bored,” a lot of your problems would likely be solved.

So how do you make summer fun and enjoyable for the whole family, rather than a stressful time that ends with everyone just wishing school would hurry up and start again?

One great thing to make a consistent part of your summer routine is a family hike.

Yes, this is an activity that will involve you, and take up some of your time, but you’ll find the benefits of scheduling a short hike once or twice a week to be worth it.

The fresh air, unstructured time together, and getting out and moving around is great mental health therapy that is sure to improve everyone’s mood and disposition.

Here are four more reasons you should make the family hike a part of your summer routine, even if you encounter a little resistance in the beginning.

1. Hiking is More Than Just Exercise

Of course hiking provides great exercise without really feeling like you’re exercising. 

It strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance and stamina.

And, research shows that exercising outside provides even greater benefits to our health than indoor activity.

But even more than that, hiking is great for improving your child’s balance and coordination as she navigates over rocks and tree roots, wades through creeks, climbs trees, and moves up and down hills.

As a bonus, hiking can also offer mental exercise for your child as she problem solves how to navigate through tricky spaces.

2. Hiking is Educational

Hiking gives your child an opportunity to learn outside the classroom and experience things first hand rather than through a text book.

There are an endless number of creatures in nature, as well as plants, trees, and rocks.

If you are in an area that allows you to remove things, your child can take home an interesting rock or flower and learn more about it.

She can also draw or photograph things that catch her eye in nature, or take an encyclopedia-type book to help her identify things that her attention is drawn to.

3. Hiking is Perfect for Bonding

Because you’ll be free from distractions, hiking provides a natural opportunity for bonding with your children.

You’ll find your child to be more open and relaxed in an environment surrounded by nature. Don’t be surprised if he starts to open up about things he previously was reluctant to talk about.

If your family holds family meetings, you may want to sneak a few of the less popular topics in during your hike by bringing them up naturally.

Of course, you don’t want to ruin a fun outing, so tread lightly here. 

Just be conscious that the family hike will become a time when everyone feels good and has a sense of togetherness as you all tackle the hike.

It’s common for kids to open up more in such an unrestricted and relaxed environment.

And don’t stress if the hikes don’t start out this way. Especially with older kids, and especially if this is a new activity, they may need a little time to let their guard down.

4. Hiking is Always a Unique Experience

Even if you are hiking in the same area, you’ll find each hike to be a unique experience. 

The weather will be different, the creek will change, you can take different paths, you’ll see different wildlife and flowers as the season progresses.

And, your child will notice different things each time, no matter how many times she walks the same path.

Check with your library and you’ll likely find at least one book that contains all the hiking trails in your area. 

Make it a point to visit several different places that are close to you, and narrow it down to the ones your family enjoys the most.

While it’s fun to explore different places, it’s also fun to have your tried and true destinations where you can see how things change throughout the summer.

Don’t Forget to Make Kids Party Characters a Part of Your Summer

Another unique experience you’ll want to schedule this summer is a KidsPartyCharacters.com party. 

Whether it’s your child’s birthday, another milestone, or for no particular reason at all, KidsPartyCharacters.com is your one-stop shop for stress-free party planning.

We have over 200 characters to choose from as the next special guest at your child’s party. We also have all your child’s favorite party extras, such as cotton candy, face painting, and balloon artists.

Start planning your summer party now at KidsPartyCharacters.com, and be sure to join us on Facebook to get ideas and inspiration for your party, and keep up with all the magic that’s happening here at KidsPartyCharacters.com.