Take a Hike, Bring the Kids

Growing up I wasn’t super outdoorsy. My family would car camp or go canoeing a couple times a year, maybe. I always considered myself a “city girl” and thought for sure I was destined to call NYC my home. Then through the twist of events called life, I ended up living full-time in a camper, by choice, and calling all different forms of the outdoors my backyard.

With this privilege of walking out the door to explore some of the most beautiful places in our country I’ve developed not only a love for hiking but a deep appreciation of the benefits of nature for myself and my daughter. It’s not always easy to hike with a kiddo but it’s always totally worth it.

Here are some things I have learned along the way.

Start them early and go often.

As with anything the earlier you start something and the more often you do it the higher likelihood of success. So strap that babe on to your chest or your back and get out there. Instilling a love of nature in kids from an early age only has benefits for all parties involved.

Start easy and where their interests lie.

Do your research ahead of time and pick an easy trail without any (or too many) hazards that require you to hold your kiddo’s hand or carry them for safety. Once they’ve gained their independence, the less you have to restrain them, the happier they will be.

Pick a trail that has something that might interest your kiddo. For my daughter it’s water. She loves to take a break from hiking to splash in a stream or a lake. Maybe you have an animal lover and there is a short hike that leads to a nature center. Or if you have a mini paleontologist and you’re lucky enough to be near something like Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado or Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas, start there.

Predict the positive but leave your expectations at home.

I know that seems contradictory but here is what I mean. Put it out there to the kiddos and yourself that you are going to have an awesome hike. Go in with a positive attitude; BUT only a positive attitude. Don’t expect to complete the entire hike or that your kids will enjoy every second of it with no complaints. Even my daughter who generally loves to hike complains at some point about something. The more expectations you have the more you are setting yourself up for failure. And honestly just getting out there on the trail is a win.

Slow down.

Hiking with kids isn’t about speed or miles covered. It’s about the experience of being out in nature and the process. It might go against your norm to slow down but it will make it more enjoyable for them, and maybe even for you. Stop and see what they see. Check out the mushrooms growing on the underside of a log or the giant spider web they spotted.

Snacks.

Need I say more. If your kiddo is anything like mine they snack all day, every day. Snacks are essential for meltdown prevention and also motivation. I like to pack a mix of healthy things, like carrots or cut up apples with some nut butter, with a treat like cookies or chocolate chips. Having options that allow a choice always works best for us. If we are hiking a longer hike we pack lunch as well. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water!

Make it more than ‘just a hike.’  

Engage them along the way. Create a scavenger hunt, sing songs, play ‘I Spy’. Let them document what they see by nature journaling or photography. If you are hiking in a National Park check out their Junior Ranger program or see if they have an Explorer Pack to check out. Many state parks have similar programs as well.

Bring a friend.

Need a little extra motivation to get your kiddo on the trail. Bring a friend or two along. Everything is more fun with friends, right? Use this to your advantage if you have a little one who isn’t really into the whole business of hiking. We love hiking and exploring with other families.

Encourage them to be a leader.

If there are options for what hike you can do, let them choose. Let them help to pick snacks and pack their backpack. If you know it’s safe, let them take the lead on a hike. It’s hard being little and not having as much of a say in things. Allowing our kiddo to take the lead on a familiar trail always gives her a boost of energy and confidence.

Know when to call it quits.

We don’t want to model giving up for our kids but we also don’t want hiking to be a bad experience for them. Try to assess their energy levels/mood continuously throughout the hike to avoid a major meltdown and choose to call it quits prior to things getting bad for everyone.  Make an excuse for ending things sooner than expected instead of labeling it quitting. Allowing things to end a positive note is more likely to leave your kiddos feeling like they accomplished something and excited for next time.

Today is National Take a Hike Day. Check out my Instagram account @her.tinyasscamper to see where we ended up hiking today, say hello and share your favorite place to hike with your kiddo.