Hiking with Children

There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The thrill of introducing these young ones to the wonder of nature is matched only by their eyes as they take it all in. If you follow a few simple rules when hiking with children, things go extremely well. Forget these simple rules and your treks with the young can be a recipe for disaster.

The first thing to remember is that young ones don't understand or know the dangers of a trail that might seem the most basic of realities to anyone else. Poison oak, snakes and wild animals seem fun to the youngest of hikers. You know better and need to make sure that your partners do as well. You'll need to be the eyes and ears of those who eyes and ears aren't yet up to the task. You'd be surprised how quickly they can get themselves into trouble so you'll need to keep on your toes.

Secondly, you'll want to bring lots of snacks. Little legs burn a lot of energy when they're hiking and their little stomachs require that you feed them often. Obviously, go without quick fixes of candy and the like. Nuts, whole grains and dried fruit all taste great and work well for all ages. Make sure to bring lots of water as well.

With so many snacks, trash will be a big issue. Teach these young ones about the power of packing out their trash and keep the environment as clean and pristine as possible.

Know that a good first aid kit with Band-Aids, ointment and insect repellant is always a good idea. There is no reason to let an entire hike go bad, just because someone fell down and went "boom." If your crew is young enough, diapers and a change or two of clothing is also well worth the effort.

If one or more of the children are brought on the trek in some form of backpack, make sure that the pack is fit for you before you take off on your trip. Adjustments, for some reason, are always easier to make at home than they are in the middle of your trek. If you are purchasing a new pack for your adventure, consider shying away from the cheapest option ? they are the cheapest option for a reason. A good resale shop or a trip to ebay.com can find you high quality at a price you are willing to spend.

No matter where you are hiking, waterproofing is a must. A couple of ponchos have been know to save the day more times than not. They weigh next to nothing but are life savers when needed. Umbrellas are more awkward than anything else.

Finally, take lots of pictures ? these are memories that you'll want to look back on for a long time.

When you do take small children on a hike, the rewards are plentiful: an early respect for nature, good exercise, family memories and the like. Keep these simple thoughts in mind and you'll find that this is an activity enjoyed by everyone that you'll want to do again and again.

About The Author

Linda Jones is the Webmaster of ebay.com. She's loved hiking since her parents took her on her first hike at just 14 months. Visit her site at ebay.com.

cleaning team near Winnetka ..
In The News:

Researchers discover phishing scam using invisible characters to evade email security, with protection tips including password managers and two-factor authentication.
iPhone and Android users can reduce battery drain and data usage by restricting Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi connections instead of mobile networks.
Scammers nearly stole an Apple account by exploiting the support system with authentic-looking tickets and phone calls, users can protect themselves with safety steps.
FoloToy restored sales of its AI teddy bear Kumma after a weeklong suspension following safety group findings of risky and inappropriate responses to children.
Threat intelligence firm Synthient uncovers one of the largest password exposures ever, prompting immediate security recommendations.
Viral video shared by Elon Musk shows Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots performing tasks from cooking to construction, garnering over 58.5 million views on social media.
Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.
Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.
Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

How Fathers Can Step Up to Fathering

When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More

What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators

Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More

7 Easy Ideas for Organizing Kids Artwork

In school, kids are encouraged to create, draw, color, paint... Read More

A Legacy For Dakota

Have you heard the song; "I Hope You Dance"? It... Read More

Top 20 Items To Pack In A Diaper Bag

1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More

Top 10 Things To Never Believe From Your Teenager

1) It's not my (pot, beer, cigarettes, etc.), I'm just... Read More

Safe From Strangers

There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of... Read More

Are You Meeting ALL Your Childs Basic Needs?

This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More

Twelve Tips To Connect With Teachers At Conference Time

It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More

They Call it Puppy Love

My son is 6 yrs old. He came home the... Read More

PG Rating Isnt What It Used To Be

If there are any parents reading this who are thinking... Read More

My Sweet Little Valentine

Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More

13 Ways to Spend Time with Your Teenage Daughter

The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More

Parenting - Give Your Child The Tools To Build Strong Character And Values

There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More

School Holiday Survival Guide

The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More

How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room

'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More

Why Modern Moms Are Going Back to the Basics ? The Evolution of the Cloth Diaper

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More

Develop Your Childs Genius: The King of Games - the Game of Kings

Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More

Strategies to Help Boost Your Childs Self Esteem

Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More

Dads, Give them Household Chores

You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More

Kids Party Etiquette for Parents

Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More

COMMITMENT: Teaching Children the Lessons of a Lifetime

It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More

Keeping Your Children Safe

The purpose of this article is to address some of... Read More

Top Ten Things My Six Year-Old Son Has Taught Me (So Far...)

I've learned numerous, important lessons on life, motherhood and men... Read More

Busy, Working Parents --- 22 Ways To Homeschool Your Kids

If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More

family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..