Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Try hiking. Hiking is a great way to enjoy family time while getting some exercise and breathing in fresh air. I don’t remember doing a lot of hiking as a kid, but it’s something I’ve come to really enjoy as an adult. Hiking with kids doesn’t have to be a challenge. Below are some tips to help make this become one of your favorite family activities too!
- Ability level: You want to gauge your kids’ abilities ahead of time. If this is your first time out, don’t expect a 6-mile hike to go well. Start small and build from there. Once your kids tackle some smaller, easier hikes it’ll build their confidence and keep them interested. Another thing that helps is to research a trail you want to try. In fact, I frequently use alltrails.com to read reviews. A few days ago I was looking for some other trails to try in Shenandoah National Park. The Bearfence Mountain Trail in the park always has good reviews, and people love it. Some say it’s their favorite in the park. Why haven’t we done it yet? It actually has nothing to do with the kids. I’m afraid of heights and terrified of snakes.
- Bring water and snacks: Bring a backpack with water and snacks. Remember you need to take trash with you. I bring a gallon size Ziploc bag in my backpack. It’s leak-proof and allows me to contain all the trash until we’re able to dispose of it properly. Let kids pick what snacks they’d like to bring. Our favorite grocery store, Wegman’s, has a station where you can customize your own trail mix. Mine always has more M&Ms!
- Take breaks: Don’t hesitate to take breaks. The kids might not ask for one but you know them best. Maybe you see a nice place to sit or a place with a pretty view. Stop and fuel up.
- Making noise: I know…something that doesn’t require you to ask them to lower their voices 50 times! Talking on the trails is a great opportunity to learn about your kids. Mine always seem to open up more or have some funny story to share. This can be singing too. Making noise is important as it alerts wildlife of your presence. They usually want to get away from you and not the other way around.
- Pictures: Don’t forget to take pictures. My kids love looking back on pictures as a way to remember the more challenging hikes they’ve done. They also make great souvenirs.
- Pick a hike with a reward: Kids often do well on hikes when they know there is a reward. I’m not talking about picking out something from the dollar section at Target. I’m talking about a hiking reward or payoff. Maybe the trail you want to take leads you to a beautiful waterfall. Maybe it’s an out and back trail to the summit of a mountain.
- Get an early start: There are multiple benefits of getting an early start. First, trails are often less crowded early in the morning. Second, my kids are now a little older. Madeline and Paige are 9, and Hannah is 6. When they were younger and still napping we would plan hikes for earlier in the day because they seemed to get cranky by the afternoon. Hiking is tiring so the drive home was the perfect time to get that long nap in.
- Wear the right clothes: Layering is a great way to ensure you’re always properly clothed. If you start a hike in the morning chances are good it might be on the chillier side. Once you start working up a sweat you won’t need those heavier layers. There’s nothing worse than a kid complaining because they’re cold. Being prepared leads to more comfortable, happier kids.
- Get them involved: Let them check the trail map. Let them take turns being the leader (as long as they’re still close and not too far ahead). Kids will have more fun when they think they’re in charge. This also applies to picking a trail and deciding which snacks to bring.
- Pack the necessities: Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, bug repellent and a first-aid kit.
- Teach them to become responsible hikers: It’s never too early to teach kids about being responsible hikers.
Remember, hiking doesn’t have to be expensive. Kids don’t require much gear, if any at all. If you pass kids on the trails with trekking poles, boots and backpacks I guarantee they’ve been doing this for awhile. Most kids wear their regular athletic shoes with mom and/or dad carrying a backpack full of water and snacks.
Have you been hiking with your family? What are your favorite trails?
Great article Caroline. I am sure it will be helpful for many novice hikers.
Thanks Lucy!
Such useful, but simple helpful hints! I love how you sing to get rid of the critters. If I sang, they’d run to another state! I love the pictures….and how they show how your girls have grown into loving these adventures!
Thanks! I liked looking back at the old pictures. Just wish time could slow down a bit. It’s Hannah that does the singing. It seems to work. Bears must not like Taylor Swift. Haha!