United States Snowshoe Association Offers Tips for Introducing Snowshoeing to Kids

The United States Snowshoe Association recently provided a list of tips for introducing snowshoeing to children. They explained that kids love being with their friends, so put together a group of parents and children and head to a mountain, park or trail network. Families with older children may be able to join a local outdoor organization in their area for upcoming snow shoe trips.

Other advice includes making some advance planning. When going out with younger children, have a destination in mind. The kids are going to want to play once you get there, so be sure the adults have enough clothing to keep warm. Keep it fun and interesting. You want your children to like snowshoeing enough to do it again. Keep it real. Set appropriate expectations based on your children's ages and outdoor experience. For young children, just getting them out for an hour may be enough. With your older children, plan an adventure.

Innovative and high-tech materials have made modern snowshoes less cumbersome than their traditional wooden snowshoes predecessors. Get snowshoes that fit. Whether you rent, borrow or buy snowshoes, have someone experienced explain them to you. Show your children how to put them on and take them off before you go. There is no other gear necessary, although snow shoe trekking poles can be useful for balance and when climbing up slopes. Children are almost always into gear so take advantage of this by playing it up. Whether you borrow or rent snowshoes for your first excursion, let the kids participate in the process. They will surprise you with their enthusiasm and interest.