Wandern: Ein Kinderspiel

’Children need nature’, says Elke Leger, author of children’s books and consultant. For Best of Hiking she explains what children appreciate about nature and how they can develop enthusiasm for physical activity outdoors. Dangerous illnesses such as mumps and polio have nearly been wiped out. But it is not clear whether today’s children are better off than children were years ago. Many children suffer from stress-induced problems like depression, anxieties or have problems concentrating. The pressure to perform is to blame which even small children feel these days. They need to ged good grades, they have to attend piano lessons and tennis lessons and they feel pressured into buying things. Then they ‘relax’ in front of the tv or the computer.

All they ever see of nature is a small patch of grass next to their playground. But being outdoors and experiencing anything that’s green is very important for a child’s development. This is what Elke Leger, author of children’s books and consultant, says. ‚Children are a part of nature after all’, says Leger. ‘So are adults. But they haven’t yet lost their natural ability to be curious and enthusiastic about nature and their surroundings.’

Whoever offers his or her children to experience nature, whether it be on hikes, walks or vacations, in the forest, in the mountains or in the Alps, doesn’t only treat him- or herself to something special. The relaxation which everybody experiences when ‘getting out’ is also experienced by children. Children experience it on an even deeper level: ‚A child’s experience is all encompassing and more sensual. The smell of decaying leaves in the fall, the magnificent feeling to dig a hole and cover oneself with sand in the summer or feeling the rain on one’s face – all of the above are a child’s experiences that he or she will remember fondly as an adult’, says Leger.
These moments are a gift to one’s offspring. ‘Be happy about being in nature“’ is not a very good thing to say, though. ‘Adults are setting an example, as always. If they like to be outside, the children will catch the bug, too. It is normal to experience nagging and refusal from time to time. It shouldn’t be made into a big deal. It’s best to just go ahead. Maybe small incentives will help make the walk or hike more attractive, for example a treasure hunt or a little game.’ Ideas and suggestions: link

Best of Hiking, a European hiking association consisting of eight different regions, offers special hikes and outdoor events for families – there are adventure hikes as well as special hiking courses through rock formations and camping Indian style as well as romantic campfire for children and adults, to name but a few activities. Test centers offer information and hiking gear to try out free of charge in the Best of Hiking regions. There is, for example, the baby carrier Jolly Comfort by Vaude: a foldable carrier including adjustable seat and lots of storage space.

Die Best of Wandern-Kooperationspartner: