Hiking with the family is a very beautiful experience, during which parents and children can have common experiences, which will build sweet memories for all its members. This is an activity that is popular with most people from the beginning, which when carried out with your loved ones becomes even more special.
In addition to the fact that family members come in contact and spend time together, the contact of parents or children with the outdoor element gives the impetus for the development of ecological awareness, love for nature and animals, and the acquaintance with unknown trails and destinations. Children learn experientially what is outside the city, something that will lead them to greater and stronger awareness, since when you have seen, touched, smelled, and heard something, it is easier to respect and love it on your own, in relation to being imposed on you, having no knowledge and image of it.
In order for such activities to take place, a degree of responsibility and discipline is required. Younger members of the family need to adhere to the instructions of adults, learn to understand the limitations, but also the dangers of such excursions, to cooperate and communicate harmoniously with others.
Moreover, family hiking combines and strengthens the contact with exercise and physical activity for children, from an early age, favoring their involvement in exercise in the future, but also for adults, who often do not have enough time to dedicate to their physical training. It keeps them in a more active lifestyle, strengthening their respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal system and reminding them of the benefits, even in the short term, of exercise in their lives.
The preparation and organization of such excursions should be done carefully and methodically, ideally by everyone individually, in order to encourage self-service and self-efficacy of everyone. This involves a personal backpack with the essentials, such as a water bottle, a small snack, second-hand clothes, a whistle, while applying a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, even if it does not look very sunny, is necessary. Optionally a compass or a map can create a more playful adventure for the little ones, but also a useful tool for the big ones. Finally, comfortable clothes and suitable shoes, with the older ones definitely being provided with extra water, a small pharmacy, bags and the necessary items for the children that they cannot carry themselves.
Of course, depending on the age and strength of each minor member, we also adjust the burden, because we do not want in any case to tire the little hikers too much and for this to end up a bad and difficult experience for them. In any case, we inform about our route, we adjust our kilometer distance, but also inclination, based on the abilities of the youngest member of the family, indicating that many hiking routes have information of the difficulty and the required level of physical condition for participants for the convenience and safety of hikers.