A reader recently asked me how to encourage her daughter to go on walks and hikes with her. The daughter used to enjoy it, but now claims it makes her legs hurt and rarely wants to go. Here is some of the advice I gave:
I think we all have this problem from time to time, and we have to balance our encouragement with our children’s desires. If the child complains that it makes her legs hurt, I’d have a chat with your child’s pediatrician to make sure there aren’t any physical issues. This is most likely just an excuse, but always better to err on the safe side. Also, check to make sure her shoes fit properly and the clothes she wears are comfy.
Once you determine there are no physical barriers to hiking, it’s time to make the hike more fun.
- Let her pack a backpack with yummy snacks, toys, books and let her know that you will be able to take rest stops along the way where she can play with her toys, read her book, or have a snack.
- Give her a disposable camera to take some pictures along the way
- Pack a pad of paper and pencil/colors so she can write down what she sees or draw pictures
- Consider letting her bring an ipod with her favorite music or an audio book to listen to along the way
- Let her bring a friend along
Play a few walking games:
- I Spy
- The Alphabet Game–You start by saying, “I’m going on a hike and I packed an <something that starts with A>.” Then the next person says “I am going on a hike and I packed <whatever the person selected that started with an A> and <something that starts with B>. Keep going back and forth until somebody forgets.
- Make a list of things to look for on the hike: different birds, rabbit, pine cones, chipmunks, bird nest, special rocks, yellow leaf, etc.Bring a bird, tree, or plant identification book to
- Sing Songs
- Have mini-races throughout. Pick a tree or boulder or bend in the trail to run to (or skip or gallop)
- Give her piggy-back rides off and on. This will give you a little extra workout too!
And finally, let her know that she can have or do something special when you are done. Maybe you’ll pick up a balloon, get an ice cream cone, have a playdate with her best friend, go to eat at her favorite restaurant, or watch 30 minutes of her favorite cartoon, or let her pick.
A combination of these ideas have helped me in the past, and I hope they will help you. What other ideas do you have for encouraging kids to get out and be active?
