So you have a long weekend and have decided to take the family to your favorite hiking and camping spot. You have been picturing your favorite trail since you started planning the weekend but you are unsure how limited you will be hiking with your 5yr old daughter. Start off by choosing a shorter trail, that is fairly flat. Take time to name trees, look at the flowers and for animal tracks. Get her interested keep her hydrated, stop for snack breaks, make it fun.
Statistics show that the human body performs 40% better when it is fully hydrated and we feel more energetic, as our heart isn't working as hard to pump blood through our bodies using energy efficiently.
Kids tend to forget about drinking water until they are thirsty. By that time the body is already dehydrated. Some good ways to keep your kids hydrated is to provided them with their very own water bottle that they carry themselves in a day pack and stop frequently for water breaks. A day pack equipped with a hydration bladder and tube is a great way to get kids drinking more water as it is fun to use. Add a little Gatorade, or lemonade mix if they are not fond of plain water. You will notice a difference in the endurance your child will have when hydrated. Check out these hydration packs for kids:
Lucky Bums Cricket Backpack with Hydration
The kids can take the Cricket along on their bike rides, trail hikes, and any outdoor excursion with the full time convenience of hydration in a compact pack. With room for a snack and other items, the pack is the ideal mate for short jaunts and outings.
Features: Moisture wicking back panel and shoulder straps, kid friendly zipper pulls with reflective piping, integrated safety whistle on sternum buckle
Cargo: Main storage compartment, 1 exterior sleeve pocket, 2 side stretch mesh pockets. For Kids 6 - 14 years old
Check it out at www.outdoorkids.com
Hiking in the Tetons yields magnificent mountain scenery, wildlife and serenity. Hiking as a family can be a rewarding experience for both kids and parents. Here are some easy and moderate hikes in the Tetons that you and you kids will love.
Jenny Lake Loop 6.6 miles, Easy. Mostly level trail skirts shoreline, with views of the Teton Range from the east shore
Chapel of the Transfiguration Menor's Ferry 0.5 miles Easy. Explore turn-of-the-century buildings located on the scenic Snake River. Maps available at the trailhead
Colter Bay Hermitage Point 8.8 miles Easy. Forests, meadows, ponds and streams along the trail provide wildlife habitat for viewing. Terrain rolls gently.
Cunningham Cabin 0.75 miles Easy. A short trail reveals a Jackson Hole homestead. Maps available at the trailhead
Flagg Ranch Flagg Canyon 5.0 miles Easy. Access trail from the east side of the Polecat Creek Loop Trail. Views of the Snake River as it flows through a deep canyon of volcanic rock.
Polecat Creek Loop Trail 2.3 miles Easy. Trail follows the ridge above Polecat Creek marsh and is fairly flat, view waterfowl and other wildlife.
Jackson Lake Lodge Lunchtree Hill 0.5 miles Easy. Short interpretive trail that overlooks Willow Flats and Teton Range.
Leigh Lake Bearpaw Lake 7.4 miles Easy. Trail follows the forested shore of Leigh Lake, giving close views of Mount Moran and various wildlife.
Leigh Lake 2.0 miles Easy. Fairly Flat loop, views of the lake.
String Lake 3.3 miles Easy. Trail follows banks of String Lake, below Rockchuck and Mt. St. John
Taggart Lake Bradley Lake 4.0 miles Moderate. Trail climbs up through area burned in the fire of 1985 then proceeds down a glacial moraine ending at Bradley Lake
Check out the NPS Trail Map
Lucky Bums Cricket Backpack with Hydration
