Hiking with kids, it almost seems like an oxymoron. Can it be done? I already know what you could be thinking. Sure some super kids who grow up with a love for God’s beauty and an infinity for the outdoors and exercise exist, but not my kids. I would love to get outside more but I have little ones. We can sometimes use our kids to hold us back from really getting anywhere. Well I can’t say I figured it out, I can’t say I have made it to the pinnacle of parenting success, but I have learned a few trick for you to try. So get ready to dry those tears and never hear “my legs are tired” again! (Just kidding your totally going to hear that. I mean just think about how much you complain as an adult and then take those social filters away and you have a small version of you, who complains a lot.) so let’s jump in!
1. Know your kids
This is a big one. If you don’t know your kids then you can get into a whole world of problems. But there are a few things I know that help me. I know that Mattie loves to climb, and she loves stairs. I also know that if I give her clear expectations then she tends to do better. I know Ryann will get tired so we bring our wrap for her. Knowing what they want helps a lot. I can build the hype around a trail by pointing out interesting things we get to do. Like mentioning stairs or a cool climb. One time I got Mattie to go on a longer trail because she knew there was a steep rock climb at the end. Knowing what they want helps. This is pretty much the biggest rule too because all my other rules fit within knowing this one. Know what they want and help them get something out of it. When we travel we pack as much into a day as we can so we try to find checkpoints for them to look forward too. If you think about it your not much different either, you want things you enjoy sprinkled throughout the day as well. Know these activities you like are coming up helps make for a fun trip. To figure this one out you can do two things. 1: try ally of things. We went on small hikes, big hikes, waterfalls, nature walks, oceans, mountains, woods, travel far, local adventures, trails with other people, trails alone, on and on it goes. So well you do that listen to what your kids say. We’re they tired quickly, did they mention they liked the stream, did they like certain trees, did they like climbing up rocks, did they like it when it was flat, whatever information you can see use it. It can be really helpful to just listen. The second one goes hand and hand with this one. 2: ask them questions. In preparation for this blog I asked my daughters what they like about adventuring. They lit up when they told me they like waterfalls, and trails they like, and climbing, on and on. It’s good to know all of this because then you can simply plan things around it. Make it fun for them too, if you want to foster a love for exploration this first step is critical.
2. Make fun games
This one requires some techniques and energy. Taking a quite walk in the woods just doesn’t cut it for most kids. They are an odd species that usually gets wiggly and itchy around quite. They have to be loud and active and engaged. That’s where these techniques come in handy. Like for intense always be on the look out for something interesting. This works out pretty good for us because I’m already looking for that when I film. I do my best to include them. Sometimes we find a rock that looks like pac man, other times we find a fallen down tree with a massive root system. Look for animals too, seeing wild life always makes it more exciting, unless they are violent, then that makes it exciting for different reasons. Finding interesting things always helps just break up the hike. Another point to this technique too is allow time for it. One time we found a little pool in the rocks of this massive gorge. On the pool we’re dozens of little Pollywogs. I had never really seen so many and of course it’s super interesting. So we just sat there looking at them swim around for a good fifteen minutes or so. Another time my mom had a good game where she would take them in a zigzag pattern where ever the path was. It was simple, and of course a lot more work, but it did the job. They loved shuffling back and forth on the trail. We will play I spy well we walk. Another time we were climbing a steep incline and I called my daughter a mountain goat. It’s something she will go back to whenever the trail gets steep and will laugh about it. We will also play follow the leader. We found that if one kid got the chance to be a leader then they enjoy the ownership of it and then can’t wait till there turn as leader too. Another thing we use on long trips are tablets. I usually hate tablets, they are oddly addictive and turn kind loving children into snarly and angry monsters. But if you use it as a tool with set expectations then you can make that evil transformation machine into a work of art. We tell our kids they can have them on long car rides, and they know when they just want to chill out after a hike, they are waiting for them in the car. We don’t let them play with them at home that way when they have them on a trip they feel like a treat. So games are key, make them fun and interesting and you have just created a much more enjoyable trip for yourself my friend.
3. Find fun trails
In our state there is a park named Pondicherry Park. (Check it out here: https://youtu.be/EVe2AxBrR8o or this video: https://youtu.be/AnP4O5jh8MI) The park is a beautiful piece of property with woods, a stream, picnic benches, bridges, and more. The most interesting feature of the park are their natural themed obstacle courses. They are super cool and sprinkled throughout the trail system that they have. It’s a super fun way to get outside and give the kids something to do. It has been a favorite for our children and a great idea that we discovered works really well. Find something fun about the trail. Sure walks in the woods can be fun but when you throw in an obstacle course it because I haven for little ones! The same is true about other trails too. We went to Cascade Falls and they have a story book walk. If your not familiar with a story book walk it’s pretty simple. As you walk along the trail there are signs. Every sign is a new page in the story book. It’s cool and exciting way to engage kids along the way. (Oh yeah I did a video on that too: https://youtu.be/cgKyP1sHDuQ) one time our girls found a sting and made fishing poles and went fishing. Allowing time for stops can add to the fun, don’t rush it, enjoy it. Sometimes you need to find something a little more natural. Knowing my oldest daughter likes steep climbs I make a point to find places that take advantage of some scrambling. Other times it’s to find the downed tree to walk across. Whenever there are big boulders on the side of the trail I challenge Mattie to climb it. Fortunately my girls love a good view, a flowing waterfall, or a nice stream. They can find the beauty around them and enjoy God’s creation, but that being said, finding fun trails will always help.
4. Bring things to do
I know what your thinking, when you hike you want to be minimalistic. I do too, trust me I do too. When you hike with kids you will want to bring something to do. It doesn’t have to be big or even that important and you will most likely end up carrying it. Here are some ideas. Bring binoculars and have them look for animals. It’s also a great chance to teach them about different birds or wildlife and where they live. Try bring an animal book too to help figure it out. Same could be done for plants of trees. Have you ever tried geocaching? If you haven’t heard about it this is what it is. People have hidden little treasures throughout the wilderness and you have to find them. When you discover the spot there is a box where you leave a treasure and you take a treasure. There is an app for it too. Make a hike into a treasure hunt and it makes it that much more exciting for kids (and adults). Look for painted rocks, or better yet paint one yourself and bring it. Finding one can be super fun. My oldest daughter Mattie loves maps. If we find a trail head with a map she has to get one. They are super cool to her and she is great with them. Seriously I can’t believe how she finds her way around on those things. She once used Apple Maps to find a playground we went to once. That’s impressive, but did I mention that this park is in another state and 17 hours from our house! Maps are a great tool as she navigates her way and feels like a leaders and an explorer. Also snacks, bring snacks. It can be a highlight of a trail to get on a mountain top and have lunch. Or find a babbling brook as a nice back drop to snack time. It can be fun and rewarding. One time we went on a long hike and I tasked my oldest daughter to bring all of our snacks in her backpack. It was too heavy for her so to lighten the load she ended up eating more snacks. We didn’t know it until we stopped to get lunch and discovered that I didn’t have all of my lunch. I had a granola bar, a tuna pack, and some crackers. So be carful of that too haha. Ownership is a key part as well. Our younger daughter struggled at first and then we got her a hiking backpack and allowed her to bring her own things. Doing that gave her ownership and made it more fun for her. All in all knowing your kids can help know what to bring. Keep it simple but make it fun.
All in all hiking with kids can seem like the kids of death to your favorite trails. That’s a stupid idea. Don’t allow that thought to get in the way of a great time that you can have outside. Kids and adults alike need fresh air. We need to explore and adventure. We need to find new things and enjoy what God has created. Let me know what you think. Did you use any of these idea and they worked? Do you have other great ideas that we could use too? Comment below and let’s get our children outside and see what God has in store for them!
Adventuring in the Moment 