10 Tips For Hiking With Kids

Have you been wanting to go hiking with your kids but you’re overwhelmed thinking of all the things that can go wrong? Is your mind filled with thoughts on how to entertain them while hiking? Have you read about the benefits of being in nature and you want to give it a try, kids in tow?

All of this is totally possible! Tons of parents go on hikes with their kids and tons of kids enjoy it. We have been hiking with our two kids since the oldest was 3 years old and the younger one was still an infant. All you need is a little preparation and you will be good to go. Here are 10 tips for hiking with kids that will make you and your family enjoy the experience.

1. Choose An Easy Trail

Well, I think we can all agree that we are not going to take our kids to Mount Everest for their first hike. But even for hiking through a nearby forest, we have to check if the trail is suitable for kids. If there are a lot of slippery bits, or you need both hands to balance yourself through the path; then maybe taking young kids there isn’t the best idea. 

Kids would want to hold your hand while they walk through slippery areas or climb over roots and rocks. Choose a path that kids can walk easily without having to hold on to you or where you don’t need to hold on to something to maintain your balance. 

2. Pack For The Weather

If the weather can suddenly turn super sunny or super rainy, then you want to pack a few essentials with you. Nobody likes getting wet while trodding through a wet muddy path, least of all little kids. And nobody wants to hike when the sun is blazing down on them. Raincoats, hats, mosquito repellants (if you are hiking in tropical areas), and extra socks are essential if you want to avoid meltdowns. 

3. Snacks, Snacks, and Snacks

Did I mention snacks? 

Snacks get a bad rep for many reasons: destroying little kids’ appetites, too much sugar, and the list goes on. However, snacks, when used as a tool, are great. 

Kids getting cranky? Hand them a snack. Kids getting hungry and therefore getting cranky? Hand them a snack. Kids getting tired? Take a snack break!

There are many healthy snacks available, which taste great. Snacks do not have to mean ‘unhealthy’ anymore. Some snacks we like to take along are date bars, roasted nuts, and fruits. Fruits can hydrate you better than water, so don’t forget to pack some juicy mandarin oranges, slices of refreshing watermelon, or apples. 

Variety is the key!

Kids also tend to drink way more water during a hike than usual. So remember to bring adequate water.

4. It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination

When hiking with kids, don’t rush them. That’s a surefire way to get them to throw a tantrum. Do a leisurely hike: let them climb on fallen logs and pick all the sticks they want. We have a huge collection of sticks by our front door. These are the special ones that made it home. The rest were discarded at the end of every hike. 

Another way to make the journey fascinating is to point out all the interesting things you see along the way. ‘Look at that huge ant!; Oooh, look at that leech, look how it moves; Wow, so many mushrooms!’. These are great ways to pique their excitement and to keep them going. 

These are also the things they will talk about for years to come. My 7-year-old still talks about the huge ant he saw in the Malaysian rainforest on a hike we did when he was 3. ‘Mommy, it was almost the size of my hand!!’. Ok, his hand might have been tiny, but the ant was still enormous.

5. No Backpacks for Little Kids

When hiking with kids, there’s a ton of stuff to carry. You need snacks, water bottles, and extra clothes for the kids. You might even have to carry a little one. But, getting little kids to carry a backpack while hiking is not the answer. 

Find an excellent hiking backpack that distributes the weight of all your stuff evenly, and you’re good to go. If your kids are 6 and under, don’t ask them to carry a bag. Let them just enjoy the hike. 

Sometimes, kids might want to carry a bag (my son is like that, eager to help). Who are we to say no to simple requests like that right? But make sure that their bag is filled with lightweight stuff so it doesn’t tire them out. And most importantly, if they’re not so eager to help halfway, make sure it’s a bag that you don’t mind carrying or something that you can chuck into your bag.

6. Be Flexible

Kids’ energy levels might be down that day, or the hike ended up being longer than expected. Whatever the reason, it’s ok to stop and turn back around. Forcing the hike when they’re not in the mood is not a good way to get them to enjoy hiking. 

There’s no need to show disappointment as well. Enjoy how far you managed to hike and plan for when you will return. Remember, if you push them too far, you’ll be the one carrying them back. 

7. Get Them Involved in the Planning

Kids love it when they’re in charge. It’s a wonderful break from being told what to do all the time. Getting them to choose the route is a great way to get them excited. They might have chosen that particular route because there’s a stream on the way or a patch of wild berries. 

Whatever it is, they’ll have more enthusiasm when hiking on a route they chose. 

8. Plan A Couple Of Games to Play

Walking for long periods of time can get boring. When you sense this happening, be prepared with some games that you can play while you hike. Some of our favorites are : ‘I Spy’ and ‘Who can find a…?’.  

Or sing some songs. My kids are forever singing out-of-tune songs along the hike and they love it. 

9. Make it Your Family’s Way of Spending Time Together

Every weekend, we have family time by going on a hike.  When kids associate hiking with time spent together as a family, it’ll make it much more enjoyable for them. It’s also a great way for the whole family to get some exercise. 

10. Celebrate their Achievements 

Take lots of pictures on your hikes. Remind them of the amazing things they did when they were so little. All these happy memories will make them enjoy hiking all the more. 

Final Thoughts

Adjust your expectations and remember that hiking with kids will not be the same as hiking with adults. However, it can be so much fun, and you will look at nature so differently when you see it through their eyes. Hiking with kids is also a great way for your family to spend time together. 

Each child is different and you never know how they will react unless you just get out there and start hiking. So read up on these tips, get prepared, and go on that hike!

Let us know if these tips helped you and enjoy your hike!