Day Hike with the Young'ns

My kids are just getting to the age where handling them both is becoming easier. So, I decided to give a day hike a whirl, and it was great. I don't know if it is the outdoors just being incredible, or the fact that they have so much space to run around, but the day was completely stress free. They behaved. They had fun. They were nice to each other.

If I were to bring them to a store or to go walk around the mall, I probably would have had a miserable time. They want to touch things and run off. With all the people there, it makes me nervous.

Outside, they get their freedom. They can touch lots of things (except little plants with three leaves that make you itchy). If they run off, I know they'll get nervous and turn around well before I get nervous. There's no one around to bother them.

It was great. We did about a mile or so and just took it all in. We found some leaves. We found some moss that they could drum on.

Every one had a turn on the moss drums.

It was an easy excursion and I think they had as good a time as I did. Very easy and effective way to get kids to have fun outdoors. It was also seen more of as an "adventure" than a "hike". Dad likes to hike, but walking is boring. Going on an "adventure"...now that's fun!