Today we’re going to talk about the basics of hiking with children. Hiking is a fun and inexpensive way to get your kids to play outside.
There’s no telling what kind of fun your kids will get into along the trail. Who knows what you’ll find along the trail. Whether you find animal’s tracks or just see birds flying overhead it’s sure to be a good day.
You can even hike the same trail over and over again and see something new each time you go out. Hiking outside is full of surprises and it’s a great way for children to use their imagination.
Why Should You Take Your Kids Hiking?
Playing outside is connected to greater physical and mental well-being. Studies associate regular time in nature with increased brain activity and reduced levels of stress, ADHD and depression in children.
Planning Your First Kid Friendly Hike
Before stepping on any trail you’ll need to plan and pack for your first hike. Luckily it isn’t all that difficult to pack for a short day hike. Check out my other post on what to wear and pack for a day hike.
Choose a trail that is close to home just in case things don’t go as planned. Who knows how your child is going to respond to the trail. Plus a long car ride might wear them out before their feet touch the ground.
Longer adventures further away will happen gradually over time. Most kids don’t care about the hike, it’s all about what they experience along the way. Watching a few ducks duck their heads underwater is much better than a long boring hike.
Where Should You Hike?
Pick a trail that is easy to start off. Try to aim for a quick round-trip with mostly flat surfaces. Don’t commit to a certain distance before you know how the child will respond. Not everybody can handle a few miles on their first hike(especially in the heat)
The kids will most likely set the hiking pace. Let kids participate in the planning and figure out what they’re interested in. What kind of animals do they like? How active are they? What do they want to see?
If you are traveling a bit further away from home make sure to call the park for updates or check the park’s website. Whether or not you need to call really depends on where you’re going. Probably won’t need to call a small family park, but mountainous regions are another story. Knowing safety and weather updates really is important in
Packing For Your Kids First Hike
Now it’s time to pack up all your gear for the day. Depending on where you’re traveling and what time of year you’re traveling, your packing list will change.
If the kids want to help carry things pack a light bag for them. Let them pick out some snacks and maybe a frisbee, ball etc. The adults will be the ones carrying most of the supplies so try to pack light.
Water
One of the most important things you need to bring for the hike is water. Bring enough water for everyone, before during and after the hike.
During the hike I always bring along my Camelbak Hydration Pack(This is the one I use). Water will most likely be the heaviest thing you’re going to carry and a hydration pack spreads the weight across your back. It’s like drinking out of a garden hose, even kids that hate drinking water like to drink out of a hydration bladder.
Sun and Bugs
To prevent getting sunburned make sure to wear sunscreen also you might want to wear sunglasses and a hat. You might also want to bring bug spray if you’re hiking during the rainy season.
First Aid and Medications
Make sure to bring a good first-aid kit. You don’t have to go all out, this first aid kit is cheap, portable and includes just about everything you could possibly need.
If you already have a first aid kit that you’ve used before make sure you double check the bandages and other supplies. Kids are going to get bumps and scratches. The magic powers of a band-aid could turn teary eyes into a fun-filled day.
You’ll want to bring any medications that anyone in the group might need. Definitely remember the important prescriptions like epipens and inhalers.
Snacks
Make sure you bring plenty of snacks like trail mix or carrots. Bring things that won’t get spoiled easily or smushed in your backpack. Snacks always seem to make or break a hiking trip with my kids.
Without a quick, you can expect tired moody children by the end of your day. Alongside my regular snacks, I always bring along gum, suckers and other treats that last a bit longer.
Hiking Shoes
Wear shoes that are appropriate for hiking. Leave the sandals at home, you might slip out of them or stub your toe. Instead wear things like sneakers or boots that will protect your feet and stay comfortable after a long hike.
Appropriate Clothing For The Weather
Temperatures can change drastically throughout the day. So it’s important to bring layers of clothing with you. Bring along a few extra layers to put on when you’re feeling cold and layers to take off when you’re feeling warm. Don’t forget to bring your raincoat or cheap ponchos in case it rains.
Other Odds and Ends
Don’t forget all those little things that make the trip extra special. Maybe you want to throw in a guide book or a pair of binoculars. It’s the little things that keep children occupied throughout the hike.
Going on Your First Kids Hike
Now you are ready to start your adventure outside. When you first get to the park orient yourself and set some rules like stay on the trail and stick together. I always pick a large structure to meet up if they happen to run off(not that it’s ever happened).
Find the parks facilities, like a visitor center, bathrooms and a park map. Figure out where you are and where you’re going on the trail. Follow the pace set by the kids making sure you take frequent rest breaks to play.
Take plenty of water and snack breaks. Look for things big and small, from panoramic views and tall trees to flowers and wildlife. Emphasize fun throughout the hike and express your own sense of curiosity. If you’re having fun they’re going to have fun.
Plan Fun Hiking Games
Before you go out try to come up with a few games to play while hiking through the woods. Children will eventually get bored if all you’re doing is chugging along. Come up with games that you don’t need to bring along any equipment to play. Games like eye spy and 20 questions seem to work well.
Other Kid Friendly Hiking Tips
- Set Realistic Expectations: You really do need to set realistic expectations when planning your childs first hiking trip. There will be challenges and minor annoyances when you are hiking with kids. Don’t expect everybody to be happy the entire time, especially towards the end of your hike. You don’t want to push them past their limits and ruin the hiking experience.
- Don’t Dwell on Bad Behavior: If you go out into the woods far enough young children are going to misbehave. They’ve got short legs and even shorter attention spans, so don’t be surprised when they start to pout. If they’re tired and you need to take a break it’s no big deal. Even older kids (5,6,7) can get tired on longer hikes. Don’t dwell on the bad behavior and let it ruin everyones day.
- Plan Regular Stops: For your own sanity time you want to time regular snack breaks. After ten minutes of hanging out and chowing down on trail mix everyone will be ready to go.
- Let The Kids Explore: Along with your regular snack breaks stop to let your kids explore. If they see something they want to explore let them stop to check it out. After a little while just remind them that they have to keep moving.
- Have a Destination: You might be perfectly content just hiking through the woods, but kids tend to be result driven. Loop trails are great because you never see the same spot twice, but firm destinations are even better. Getting them excited to reach the lake or waterfall can really motivate kids to keep going.
- Enjoy Yourself: Remember that it’s not going to be like hiking with other adults. Just remember that you’re going to have some stress, but the fun times more than makes up for it. Hiking is a great family bonding experience so just stick with it and everyone should have a great time.