Adventures with kids – Barbara and Sunny Kid

Today a true adventure duo will share their best tips for hiking and outdoor activities with kids with us – Barbara and Sunny Kid from Freeliving adventures. The two are from Slovenia and love to explore their country. Whenever they can, they travel as well and have been to Nepal recently. In 2019 alone, they have covered 46,000 meters of altitude – more than 150.000 feet. The two do not only hike but also love to snowshoe, climb and ski – whatever gets them out into nature. 

In this interview, both of them share their best tips and advice with us – and it is tested! 

What was your favorite hike with your child?

This is a difficult question. A lot of them. Trekking in Nepal (ABC & Poonhill trek) is for sure one of our favorites. Also trekking in Spanish Pyrenees amongst thousand lakes. And ski touring in Slovenian alps for sure. Pure winter magic. 

When did you start walking with your child?

I carried her in a baby carrier on short hikes since she was a few weeks old. As soon as she started walking, she refused to be carried though and walked on her own. First short distance, but by the age of three quite long hikes. Some serious mountains by four and also Annapurna base camp. From there on she is getting a very serious and enthusiastic little mountaineer with broad experiences.

What is your best tip to motivate your child to go hiking? 

I actually never had to motivate her. She loves spending time outside and adores mountains. She loves playing roles while walking. When she was younger, she played out all kinds of scenarios on trails. Mostly she was a character from adventure books, guiding me and explaining all the way. 

What does your child say about hiking? 

Sunny Kid: I really like it. I just walk. It is not hard. I love long walks where I can talk a lot and make up stories. I like to do crazy things when we come to the top. And I like to lay on grass and watch the mountains. The peaks around. 

What do they like most? 

Sunny Kid: I love big mountains. I like climbing on rocks and walking steep paths high up. I don’t like crowded hikes in forests and boring trails. High up where there is not a lot of people, we can see animals also. And in winter ski touring is the best. I walk up and ski down. 

What does your child say is your best technique to motivate them? 

Sunny kid: What do you mean? I want to go because I like it. I love mountains. If I wouldn’t like it I wouldn’t go.

What does she like you to do to motivate her? 

Sunny Kid: That you stop or wait if I need a break or if I find something interesting. And making up stories.

What does your child think other parents could do to motivate their children to go hiking more often? 

Sunny Kid: Parents should go alone and then tell kids all about it and show them photos how beautiful and fun it is. Then they should give their kids an opportunity to wish to go and then take them. No pressure. Maybe ask them: hey I am climbing this mountain look, do you wanna come? 

What do you want to tell other parents? 

Don’t hesitate, don’t doubt in kids’ abilities and never expect them to be on your schedule. Take time. Let them play. And take them somewhere exciting. Where they come alive. Don’t make it all about walking. Climb trees, explore caves, search for snow in the summer, let them lead way, get lost intentionally 😉 

Any tips on how to get the kids out of the door? 

Make plans together. Browse through itineraries together. Ask them which mountain/peak/hike interests them. Make it an adventure. And most of all it helps if you are crazy passionate about it. And show it to them!!! 

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