Family hiking seasons adds variety!
If you live in a state with four seasons, take advantage of the possibilities of family hiking in all seasons. Throughout the year, nature has something new to share with all of us, and it’s good for kids to learn how to enjoy the different beauties available. Family hiking seasons are all year long! 
When I was little, one of my strongest memories came from a time when my parents took us hiking around Christmas. Although the temperatures were frigid (below zero, with the wind chill), I still remember the brilliant white snow and the way it crunched under my feet. Yes, my face got a little numb, but seeing my breath puff out in clouds as I wandered through the glittering ice was a great experience. I love showing our kids the icy lakes, especially around sundown, when the light is pink and gold. Winter time offers so many sensory opportunities which can only be found in the crisp air. Of course, we don’t stay out very long – and we’re sure to dress warmly! This is a family hiking season which can be enjoyed in smaller doses. 
Family hiking in seasons is especially fun in springtime! Outdoor recreation seems obvious when the flowers begin to bloom and green buds cover the trees. We often can’t wait to hike, and we’ll begin when the trees are still bare and the ground snowy. Birdsong accompanies us as we walk – they’re excited by the warmer temperatures, as well! We like to take our kiddos on the same hike at different times during the spring, so they can see how much changes from one month to the next. The family hiking season of spring is all about discovery. 
The heat of summer can’t disguise the family hiking fun – in fact, it lets us do more fun things, like wading in icy-cold streams. Around here, if you hike high enough, you might still encounter snow drifts in the shady spots during the summer – and that means the lakes and rivers make you shiver. The kids love to feel how the water is so much colder than the air. Summertime means fragrance, as well, especially as it heats up. During family outdoor activities, the many flowers and plants send out their scents with the warm air, and sometimes I feel like I’m wandering through a hothouse garden with all its temptations -- a warm and sensory family hiking season. 
I have to admit that family hiking in seasons takes on a whole new meaning in the fall. Colorado means golden aspens…their dancing leaves fill the air with radiant color. We’ve explored many areas over the years, and some of our favorites seem like hiking through the sun itself. Last fall, when we took our usual family hike, we drove through blinding hail to get there – but when we arrived, the sun peaked through the dark clouds and lit up entire aspen groves. If you have any kind of leaf or ground-covering color in your area, definitely share that experience with your children. I think autumn family hiking season might be the most glorious of all. Four seasons means four times the opportunity for family bonding activities – enjoy the beauty!
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