1. Size Little Feet Right
When you take kids snowshoeing, you all begin the trip with enthusiasm and energy. Once the newness wears off, kids can start to feel every bit of the extra weight on their feet. To increase your chances of a successful adventure, buy your kids properly fitting snowshoes meant for children.
Consider the weight of the snowshoe, the tightness and strength of the binding and the durability. For example, Tubbs Snowshoes makes little snowshoes that weigh less and fit children better than adult snowshoes. L.L. Bean offers children's snowshoes that come with mitten-friendly bindings.
2. Snowshoe With Other Kids
Snowshoe resorts often work with companies who specialize in snowshoe tours. Children's tours generally last a half day and may include other snow activities like sledding, building a snowman and drinking hot cocoa. Kids may feel more comfortable learning with other children and will also enjoy playing in the snow with other children their age. Typically, instructors choose flat routes to allow children time to learn how to walk in snowshoes. As another bonus, many companies provide the equipment, so if your kids decide they don't like snowshoeing, you haven't lost any money on equipment.
3. Pick a Fun Destination
Kids may not get very excited about the prospect of walking up and down a hill for the sake of walking. When you consider destinations, think about the route to the destination. Too many hills will wear out the kids, and you may wind up walking back with an extra 70 pounds on your back. You might want to drag a plastic sled with you regardless of sledding hills; when the kids get tired, put them on the sled and save your back from a few aches and pains. Use a sledding hill, cave or other local attraction as your final destination, or consider snowshoeing to a coffee shop where kids can order a hot drink.
4. Track Animals While You Snowshoe
Many kids love to be out in nature. If you have a favorite nature hike you do during the summer, take the kids snowshoeing on it in the winter. Look for footprints in the snow, nibbled trees and frozen poop to identify which types of animal cruise your area during the winter. If possible, follow an animal's trail through the snow. Have kids compare the difference between the trees, vegetation and other visible changes from summer to winter.
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