We have so many amazing natural parks in our area.
We're getting ready to head out on a bigger hiking trip and wanted to see how far Sophia can go, so it was a perfect day to try it out at Indian Springs Metropark!
Tricks to hiking with a preschooler:
1) take lots of breaks to make it interesting: this trail had these information signs about the trees and stuff. Stopping and reading them was a great way to break up the hike. We'd always say "just get to the next sign" when Sophia would start getting tired, and it totally worked.
If where we're going doesn't have signs already, we'll come up with our own way to break it up. Get a guide book to look up what trees you're seeing. Find different plants and animals to point out and talk about.
It also doesn't hurt to have a biologist for a spouse. ;)
2) be plenty of silly!
Preschoolers are big goofs. So be goofy! Sing silly songs, play silly rhyming games, make animal noises.
There's no one else around- go for it!
It will make the time fly.
3) Have a goal: It is great if you can have a destination (a waterfall, lake, etc.) to hike to.
We usually like to time our arrival to have lunch at a destination. Then you can relax and enjoy the place you've worked so hard to get to.
We loved having lunch on this peaceful lake- not another soul.
4) SNACKS
You knew this had to be there, right? Bring LOTS of snacks. Things that are healthy, but you know are a hit. And as always, have lots of water on hand. I always pack a "emergency treat" or two in case I need to bribe encourage her to get the next stretch.
5) Bring the right tools:
Sophia always has a backpack she hikes with. We throw in her "scientist tools"- ie. a magnifying class, a scientific thermometer, and a flashlight. You never know when you can spy on a bug, look in a dark log, or check the temperature of the water. We also pack Sophia's little backpack with some crayons and a notebook. She loves to draw pictures of what she sees, and even draws us "maps" to follow on our hikes.
We also got her a great kids camera that she uses to take pictures along our trip.
5) Talk about what you see/feel:
This is my favorite part of taking Sophia out in nature- getting away from the noise and having her listen to the quiet sounds of nature. I always ask her what she sees/hears/and feels. It is amazing and insightful the responses she comes up with.
We also share how nature makes us feel (peaceful, calm, etc.) and try to teach her this is a place she can go to find those feelings.
In the end she hiked 3.5 miles!
That's huge for a 4 year old, and I was so proud!
We didn't even have to break out the "emergency treat".
Get out there and have fun!
