You're halfway along your favorite trail when your six-year-old sits down on a rock. "My feet hurt," she whines.

 

You sigh and get out the moleskin. "Are you drinking enough water?" you ask as you tape up her blisters.

 

"I spilled it," she says.

 

Why did you ever think it was a good idea to take your kid hiking? you think as you refill her water bottle. Maybe she's too young.

 

While fraught with challenges, hiking with children can enrich their lives and yours. When you're tired and frustrated on the trail, remind yourself of the many benefits of hiking with your children:

 

Hiking can be parent-child bonding. Hiking is a special activity to do with your children. Getting away from all the stress of everyday life gives you a chance to talk to your kids about their interests and dreams, not just what they want for dinner or this week's homework assignment.

Hiking provides a hands-on learning experience. Bring a field guide or two and have fun identifying the birds and plants you see with your child. Some field guides will tell you about the traditional edible and medicinal uses of plants. If you're hiking in the American Southwest, you might pass archaeological sites. Hiking can be a great way to learn about nature and history as real things instead of just words in a book.

Hiking is great exercise. Helping your child develop a lifelong habit of exercise is one of the best things you can do for his or her health. Hiking is a fun, exciting outdoor activity that doesn't require expensive classes.

Hiking helps encourage appreciation of nature. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, argues that nature encourages imaginative, creative play, and experiencing nature is an important part of childhood. Kids who see nature firsthand grow up to respect and love the world around us.