experiencelifemag.com Print › | Back › Hiking      By Elizabeth Larsen September 2008 Parents say: We love hiking, but our kids think it’s boring. Experts weigh in: Hiking is a good physical workout, but the real benefits come from spending time in nature. Studies indicate that people who walk in nature have lower blood-pressure levels than those who exercise on a treadmill. And 60 minutes of walking on flat ground is all your child needs to satisfy the daily recommendation, although there’s more benefit in varied terrain. You don’t need to travel to Yellowstone to introduce your kids to the wonders of the great outdoors — any local park with trees will do. In the winter, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. If your kid balks at the idea of hitting the trail, try making your hike into a treasure hunt to find items on a list (an acorn, a bird feather and deer tracks, for example). You can also expand your definition of exercise. Over the past decade, Great Britain has created a Green Gym movement, which encourages people to participate in activities such as stream reclamation and planting community gardens, all of which count as being active.

Hiking

Parents say: We love hiking, but our kids think it’s boring.

Experts weigh in: Hiking is a good physical workout, but the real benefits come from spending time in nature. Studies indicate that people who walk in nature have lower blood-pressure levels than those who exercise on a treadmill. And 60 minutes of walking on flat ground is all your child needs to satisfy the daily recommendation, although there’s more benefit in varied terrain.

You don’t need to travel to Yellowstone to introduce your kids to the wonders of the great outdoors — any local park with trees will do. In the winter, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. If your kid balks at the idea of hitting the trail, try making your hike into a treasure hunt to find items on a list (an acorn, a bird feather and deer tracks, for example).

You can also expand your definition of exercise. Over the past decade, Great Britain has created a Green Gym movement, which encourages people to participate in activities such as stream reclamation and planting community gardens, all of which count as being active.

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