3 Secrets to Successful Family Hikes with Kids
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Hiking with kids is one of my favorite ways to slow down in nature and discover it from a different perspective. However, it can also be an exhausting way to try and enjoy the great outdoors!
If you’ve ever tried hiking with kids, you know it takes about five minutes for a peaceful nature walk to turn into a full-blown negotiation session—but it doesn’t have to be that way!
If you want your kids to actually enjoy hitting the trails with you, it all comes down to managing the mindset and the momentum. Here are three things I like to do to create a successful hike with kids, whether they’re my own family or group hikes I have led professionally.
1. Set expectations
Before hitting the trail, give kids a target or a mission. They need something concrete to look forward to, such as reaching a bridge that crosses a river, playing at the base of a waterfall, or taking a picture in front of a view of the valley below. If they start to ask, “Are we there yet?” remind them of their mission!
Along with giving them a mission, prepare them for the trail conditions. Make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather and let them know to expect rain, intense sun, or other weather. Avoid mid-trail surprises by giving them a heads up about rocky terrain and steepness—and make sure they have proper footwear.
Lastly, set the right expectations around how long the trail will take. Translate the time—hours and miles mean nothing to a kid. Put the trail duration in terms they actually understand (i.e., "This hike is going to take about two episodes of Bluey") and give them checkpoints to help them understand how much time has passed.
2. Make it a fun and rewarding experience
Hiking can be tiring, especially for little legs, so giving them entertaining distractions can really pay off. If you want them to keep coming back to the great outdoors, the experience has to feel rewarding, not exhausting.
Some trails are built for fun, like the enchanted forest pictured above, which has hidden gnomes throughout. There are also trails with fun landscapes, such as the hoodoos at Goblin Valley in Utah or Jumbo Rocks at Joshua Tree National Park in California. However, on most trails, you may need to create your own fun.
Keep kids’ minds occupied with these simple ideas:
• Play trail games, such as Would You Rather?, I Spy, and riddles
• Teach them about the rocks and plants and animals you find
• Point out interesting features they might walk right by
• Give them a map and teach them how to "lead the expedition"
• Play a make believe game with them
3. Plan strategic breaks
On the hike pictured above, the walk from our car to the trailhead was through a wooded area and by the time we got to the trail, that little boy sat down on a log, got out his snacks, and started taking a break before the hike had even begun! I encouraged him to do some hiking first and promised him breaks throughout the actual hike.
The amount of breaks you will need varies by the energy level and experience of each kid. Plan a couple water and snack breaks per hour to keep their spirits up and to let them refuel their energy. Plan even more frequent breaks if you are hiking on steep terrain or in the hot sun.
Beyond planned breaks, always pay attention to signs of overexertion, which can include red faces, lots of whining, sluggishness, and sudden irritability. There is zero shame in taking a long rest or turning back early—safety and positive memories always trump reaching the summit!
There is a lot that can go wrong when hiking with kids, including injuries, dealing with lots of complaining, and getting lost. However, if you follow the tips above and make sure that you yourself are prepared for the hike, you will find that your time spent outdoors will be something your children look forward to and even ask for!
Hiking with my family are some of my favorite childhood memories—I hope you can make them some of your family’s as well.
What is your go-to trick or game for keeping your kids moving on the trail? Let me know in the comments!
Planning a family adventure this weekend? Pin this post so you don't forget the snacks!
Hiking with kids doesn’t have to be a challenge. Follow these tips for hiking with your family to make sure your outdoor experiences become unforgettable memories.