Exploring the natural beauty of Oregon’s trails offers a perfect opportunity to bond with your children and instill in them a love for the outdoors. But we all know that kids are energetic and sometimes have trouble staying focused or satisfied with a single task for long. If your kids get bored on the trail, then try to enjoy these fun activities with them.
Play Talking Games
Kids love to talk and play games, so why not combine the two on a hike? Talking games like I Spy or 20 Questions are excellent ways to keep young minds occupied and focused on their surroundings.
These games encourage kids to observe nature closely, growing their appreciation for the PNW’s beauty. They also help sharpen analytical and reasoning skills for an educational bonus your kiddos won’t even notice.
Plan a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Your children will love feeling like old-timey explorers navigating the rugged Oregon terrain if you turn the hike into a nature scavenger hunt. Challenge your kids to find specific types of leaves, rocks, and wildlife, and offer fun facts and some sort of small reward for each thing they find. This activity teaches your kids about the local ecology without them even realizing they’re learning.
Find and Carve Fancy Hiking Sticks
Encourage your kids to keep their eyes peeled for branches that could make great walking stick candidates. Once they find the sticks, keep them until you reach the end of your hike. There, sit down and carve designs per your kids’ instructions. When you get home, you can finish your walking sticks with a stain. This activity can get your kiddos interested in an artform and gifts them personalized walking sticks for future family hikes.
Do a Mini Photography Project
Help your kids to look at the trail through a different lens by bringing along a camera or smartphone. Tell them to take photos of interesting plants, wildlife, or scenic views. This helps them observe details on the trail they might otherwise overlook. At home, create a photo album or a collage of their finds so you all can later reminisce about the trip.
These fun activities to enjoy with your kids on the trail can make each hiking venture a more enriching, engaging experience for the whole family. And what better place to try these games than in Oregon, the perfect backdrop? We hope these outdoor adventures become a cherished part of your family’s routine!
