Located right behind Weymouth High School, this hidden trail features plenty of parking, varied terrain and interest level, and is just the right length for the whole family.
Author Archives: southshorefamilyadventures
PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
When you’re done with one hike, start thinking about where you’ll go next, who you’ll go with, and what you’ll bring! Use the momentum generated by a fun, family, outdoor experience to get everyone fired up about the next one!
SHARE YOUR PICTURES, SKETCHES, AND VIDEOS
Post your pictures to Facebook or Instagram, show the kids the photos, make a photo collage of your favorite outdoor family pictures and leave it somewhere where the kids will see it. Or start your own blog about your family’s adventures! 🙂
TALK ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PART
While you’re in the car on the way home, talk about what parts of the trail or experience you all enjoyed most. This serves to highlight the good and take attention away from how tired their legs are or how glad they are to be in the car again!
HIGHLIGHT THE MAP
My kids love to see where they’ve been. We highlight the trails we’ve just done so they can see where they were and get a sense of how much ground they covered. For some trails this isn’t really feasible (because there is only one trail that you hiked when you arrived at your destination), but if you’re at a site with lots of trails, this can be a lot of fun. Keep the same map and highlight the trails as you go–until you’ve done them all!
GO FOR A TREAT
I try not to resort to bribery, but sometimes, let’s face it, the promise of a post-hike treat helps gets kids moving. Ice cream is the biggest carrot in our family, and, thankfully, great ice cream places abound on the South Shore. Hornstra, Crescent Ridge, and Peaceful Meadows, (in that order) are our favorite go-to ice cream spots.
BIRD WATCHING
Mass Audubon and other websites have great tools to help identify birds. Grab some binoculars, find a place with bird blinds (although not necessary), and start looking! This cool interactive chart will help kids identify what they hear/see.
HAVE A PICNIC
Make a day of it! Pack snacks, but also a fun lunch for everyone. Find yourself a good picnic rock and declare it yours! Thirty years later, my brother and I still use “our” picnic rock at the top of Blue Hills, and now our kids enjoy the spot as well.
DISCOVER LOCAL LEGEND
The Bridgewater Triangle and the Hockomock Swamp contain lots of local legend. There was even a documentary made about the supernatural activity that has supposedly happened in these parts. Freetown State Park also has a lot of scary stories associated with it, as do the towns of Rehoboth and Dighton. Google away–you’ll find some super cool stories and places to investigate–if you dare.
HEAD UP–FOR A VIEW!
Climbing up hills and mountains is hard work–but the pay off is great. Around here, Blue Hills is a very rewarding and popular hike. Go early to avoid the crowds, but many small children (as young as 3 years old) can do the hike from the Trailside Museum to the Observatory at the top. The view from high places inspires my kids to walk!