Tips


If you were once an avid hiker before kids, or now just beginning the joys of hiking, it is important to remember a few important things as you plan your hikes with children. 

1. Set Easy Expectations: Know that with kids, you may not always reach the end of the trail, reach the highlighted destination, or hike as fast as you wanted. Be ready to adjust the hike so as it is enjoyable and comfortable for kids.
2. "Pack Patience and Flexibility": Be prepared to watch a butterfly land on a beautiful flower or follow a chipmunk over rocks. Use these times to teach and discuss surroundings.
3. Hikes with Kick: When planning hikes, find hikes that have interesting sites to see: rivers, ponds, lakes, waterfalls, caves, wild flowers, or animals. Kids love natural beauty, especially water.
4. Clothing: Always check the weather before heading out and always dress for the weather. Kids get cooler faster than adults especially when they get wet. Dress in layers and include a change of clothes if needed.  Hats are good to keep sun off, prevent sunburn, and protect from bugs.
5.  Walk In Kids Shoes:  Remember to think like a child.  Their steps are smaller, they get thirsty, they get hot or cold.  Remember this may be the first time they see a wood-pecker, a speckled feather, or throw rocks into a river.  Encourage questions as they use their senses to discover and explore.
6.  Frequent Stops:  Children need more breaks than adults.  Give them something to measure it by, for example, "Next break is at that large tree up ahead."  Keep breaks brief, around 90 seconds. 
Hike day with lots of cousins!

7.  Company:  Bring a friend or a cousin along.  Kids are sometimes motivated by a peer more than parents.  Friendships can develop by experiencing an adventure together. 
8.  Praise: "As most parents know, praise and patience are two ingredients on which children thrive. Be liberal with both on a hike." Give compliments early on the hike that help fuel little bodies.  Let them know how proud you are of them for their strength and hiking skills.  Praise in front of other adults or children goes a long way. (Keilty, pg. 12)

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REI has some great ideas on tips.  You can find their ideas HERE

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