Over the Mountains and through the Woods – Trekking with Kids.

Nature Resources for Parents Travel Tips

As Winter approaches, the Hills begin to beckon. It’s the right time of the year to take children out and give them a taste of the Wild.

One of the many activities you can get them started on, is Hiking.

First timers may have doubts. Those familiar with trekking might have questions about how they’d manage with children. At what age can one start? How does one keep a child engaged during a long climb? Still others may be looking for tips, groups and locations.

So…here goes.

A guest post from Ashwini Nawathe, an avid trekker and a friend with whom I share so much in common (its no coincidence that we’re both lawyers-turned-history buffs and writers!), giving tips, tricks and more to get started with hiking. So over to Ashwini…

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When you step out into the woods, there’s a different world out there. The awe, the charm and beauty of the mountains will truly humble you. And they will definitely mould your child.

My love for the mountains started when I read The Cherry Tree, a short story by Ruskin Bond. I instantly fell in love with the story, the author and the mountains. I wanted to live in Mussoorie and have my own garden of cherry trees. That’s where my passion for the outdoors originated.

I started trekking when I was 10 years old. My parents’ decision to introduce me to trekking was something I feel eternally grateful for.

Life Lessons from Trekking

Nature is the best teacher they say. Hiking and trekking can transform kids and instill  determination and willpower in them.

Because although trekking in the mountains is fun, it takes a lot of hard work and patience. At the end of the day, that exhausting journey is going to make your child stronger and teach them valuable lessons of life – co-habiting, adjusting, team work, helping one-another, sharing and so on.

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Trekking can be hard and exhausting but there is much to learn.

Here are a few tips from me to introduce your children to trekking –
 Get your kids hiking  as early as possible. Age is not an issue but remember kids get tired easily so start with small targets.

 Before taking your kids on long and tenuous treks, expose them to the outdoors first. Get them interested in trees and mountains.

 Children are curious and adventurous by nature; stop to explore the open area, lakes etc along the way. Give the kids time and space to explore their surroundings. The summit is not the target here. Allow them to explore.

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Little streams bursting with life along the way offer a great chance to stop and learn

 Introduce them to hiking by taking them to local hillocks. Take them out on short and simple nature trials.

 To keep them interested in the trek set them small challenges. The best way to keep the child entertained is to ask them to collect flowers of a particular colour or pebbles of a particular shape or size and other such things (I have a lot of such collectibles from my childhood treks).

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A trek offers children a chance to learn beyond the confines of a classroom

 Make them feel involved in the trekking activities. Ask them to collect firewood for camp fires or to hold up the tent flaps while you set the tent up.

 If possible, see if you can get the kids to cook a small meal on camp fire. It’s a very engaging activity and kids love it (I know I used to love cooking daal chawal on camp fires)

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Cooking over a campfire is one of the highlights for children on a trek

 Let them carry their own small bags. You can carry the extra weight but let them carry at least a pair of clothes, socks and water bottle. This way they will learn to take care of their own chores and learn to clean up themselves.

 Pack clothing as required for the climate in the region that you intend to trek in. Carry comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunglasses and lotions. Always carry your personal medicines and keep a first aid kit handy.

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Some rock-climbing off the beaten path adds to the fun for children

 Ask your kids to document their experience. You can pack small notebooks and sketch pads into their bags. Just for once let’s leave the mobiles and tabs out of this experience. Let the kids go old-school here and connect with the nature.

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The summit is not the only goal. Stop. Stare. Climb trees. There is much to do along the way.

 Try to get your kids out of their comfort zones. Encourage them to try different things. Climb some rocks and trees. Swim in ponds. Fish in lakes. The impact of that change will be refreshing.

Historical Forts atop hills add another dimension to hiking. Tell children stories about episodes of history that occurred on those hills.  Bring History Alive as you Trek and when they finally visit the monuments atop the hill, they are unlikely to forget it.

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Forts atop hills add a historical dimension to trekking. History can be brought alive during Treks.

Finding Company 
There are many organisations and groups that organize treks and camps. I suggest you start with an organised group, so that in case of an emergency, there will be expert mountaineers and regular trekkers to help you, because trekking with kids can be a bit tricky.

However, if you are comfortable and confident enough, you can venture out on your own.

Here’s a small list of some interesting and easy treks around Mumbai:
 Kanheri Caves, Borivli
 Yogi Hills, Mulund
 Mumbra hill
 Korigad, near Lonavala
 Lohagad, near Lonavala
 Rajmachi, near Lonavala
 Raigad, near Mahad
 Matheran, near Karjat
 Pandav Leni, near Nashik
 Sudhagad, near Pune
 Peth cha killa or Kothali gad, near Karjat
 Tikona, near Kamshet and many more….

Some organizations in and around Mumbai that you can start trekking with

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Enjoy the bounty of waterfalls and ponds along the way

Get your kids out there. It’s good for their spirit and excellent for their health.

In this fast-paced world, these small escapades will help you connect with them. They will see amazing landscapes and beautiful views, meet kind and interesting people and learn a lot more than they will in a classroom.

Most importantly, you will be creating great memories for life!

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Interested in more Outdoor Trips?

More about Ashwini

Ashwini Nawathe is a trekker, nature lover and an ardent reader from Mumbai, India. After playing Lawyer for a time, Ashwini shifted to History, her passion and love. Now she works as a Senior Executive (Research) at www.mintageworld.com and in her free time, teaches History and French to undergraduate students. Her weekends are spent exploring historical avenues in and around Mumbai and conducting Heritage Walks with Sahapedia (www.sahapedia.org), a Delhi-based NGO.  Ashwini also writes on History and Culture (and everything else under the sun!) at www.kaleidoscopeofmylife.com
 

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Comments

  • arv!
    December 3, 2018 - 6:34 pm ·

    Thanks for highlighting the importance of introducing kids to trekking. It helps them become independent and opens up their mind.

    • Mallika Ravikumar
      December 3, 2018 - 4:10 pm ·

      Thanks for writing in Arv. Absolutely right …it is an eye opener. Are you from Jaipur? Would love to go there sometime. Have never been there. Thanks again for writing in.

  • Alli Templeton
    March 4, 2019 - 3:43 pm ·

    Great post and some beautiful photos. I so agree that history can be brought to life during a trek. That’s what I’m hoping to do on a long history and walking project I’m planning this summer in Wales. I’ll also have my kids with me for a fair bit of it, and one of them is autistic, although he loves being out and about. It’s so important to get kids out there to experience the pleasure of the great outdoors and its links with the past. Thanks for sharing.

    • Mallika Ravikumar
      March 4, 2019 - 10:20 am ·

      Thank you so much for writing in. You’re history and walking project sounds wonderful. I’m sure the kids will have a great time. Yes..kids love being outdoors..and learn far more than they can ever do in a classroom. Have a great one!

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