Family Hiking

Any parent can tell you that finding fun, inexpensive ways to spend time with your family in today's day and age can be difficult if not impossible. A family of four can expect to pay a few thousand dollars for a week long vacation at a popular amusement park. Because of this, more and more parents and looking for alternative ways to spend time with their kids. One of the best ways to do this is hiking.

Hiking is a fun activity with can range from easy to extremely challenging depending on what level of physical activity you are ready for you. A hiking vacation gives everyone in the family a chance to participate equally, reconnect with nature, sharpen their mental clarity and get into great shape.

It is no surprise that hiking is a great physical activity. You will be spending several hours traversing uneven terrain, strengthening your heart and your muscles. What may be a surprise, is how great hiking can be for your mind. In our society, we are bombarded with constant stimulation from electronics. I would challenge you to name any aspect of our lives which is not centered around some sort of gadget or technology. Because of this, it is often hard to de-stress or deprogram from our daily lives, a fact that can lead to many health problems later in life. By taking a day or two every once in awhile to step off the grid, we are able to recharge our systems, making ourselves happier and healthier. What better gift is there to give your children?

Many families right now are struggling to teach their children about religion and spirituality. No matter what faith you choose to raise your children in, instilling in them a reverence for the natural world is incredibly important. Children need to be taught about the beauty that exists in nature. Plants and animals and all other living creatures need to be respected and cared for, there is no better way to teach this then to immerse our children in them. Help them understand how important it is to take care of mother nature, so they can enjoy her for years to come.

Hiking can also be a great family activity at the planning stage. Children need to be shown that their opinions are valid and important. By including them in the planning of your hiking trip you can instill this. Of course, the ultimate details will be up to the adults, however you can discuss where you will travel, for how long and what you will bring with your children (among other things). It is important when you plan, to keep in mind and restrictions that may be placed on your family by the youngest or weakest member. You want everyone to have a wonderful time, so make sure that you take everyone's physical level into consideration when planning.

Physical improvement is the last and possibly most important aspect of hiking. So many children in this country are battling with obesity at increasingly younger ages. We can blame this on society, unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, or we can stop blaming and start taking charge. By instilling a love of physical activity at a young age, we can ensure that your children have healthy habits for the rest of their lives. Hiking is a great way to do this, as it barely seems like exercise.

Consider hiking as your next family vacation, your kids will thank you!

Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike rack store. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sydney_Garrison