Keep Kids Engaged During Your Family Adventure With These Little-Known Hacks for Hiking with Kids
Hiking with kids can be a rewarding and enriching experience, both for the parents and the kids, but it often requires a bit of creativity to keep children engaged and excited. While the great outdoors offers endless opportunities for exploration and learning, children may sometimes need extra motivation to fully appreciate the adventure. To help you make the most of your family hiking trips, we’ve compiled a list of 18 unusual tips that go beyond the basics.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
Designing a nature scavenger hunt can transform a regular hike into an exciting adventure for kids. Prepare a list of items for them to find, such as specific leaves, rocks, insects, or animal tracks. This activity not only keeps them engaged but also teaches them to observe and appreciate the natural world. If you have prepared small rewards or prizes for completing the hunt, make sure to let them know at the beginning of the hike to motivate them to participate in the scavenger hunt.
Storytelling Stops
Put your creative hat on and make up stories related to the surroundings and tell them to your young children during breaks in the hunt. Not feeling creative? Bring a book related to hiking that you can read to them instead. This is especially useful for children who have an active imagination, and will help make the hike much more memorable for them.
Child-Sized Gear
Equipping kids with their own small backpack, water bottle, and hiking boots can make them feel like they are truly part of the adventure. Having their own gear gives them a sense of responsibility and independence. Make sure the gear is lightweight and fits well to avoid discomfort.
Trail Games
Play games like “I Spy,” “20 Questions,” or “Follow the Leader” to make the hike more interactive and fun for kids. These games keep their minds occupied and can make the miles fly by without them even realizing it. “I Spy” encourages them to observe their surroundings closely, while “Follow the Leader” can add an element of physical play.
Nature Journals
Give each child a small notebook to draw or write things they see and experience on the hike to encourage their creativity and keep them engaged throughout the hike. Let them know beforehand what that they will be hiking and that they need to complete their nature journal during the hike. Encourage them to sketch plants, animals, or landscapes they encounter, or to jot down their thoughts and feelings about the adventure.
Pack a Surprise
Bring a small, unexpected treat or toy to surprise children with during a rest stop to add an element of excitement to the hike. Whether it’s a favorite snack, a small toy, or a fun activity like a bubble wand, these surprises can serve as a reward for their efforts and keep their spirits high. This simple gesture can make the hike more enjoyable and memorable for them.
Frequent Snack Breaks
Planning for more frequent snack breaks than you would for an adult hike is essential to keep kids’ energy levels high. Children burn calories quickly and need regular fuel to maintain their stamina and mood. Pack a variety of healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, granola bars, and cheese sticks to keep them energized.
Involve Them in Planning
Letting children help choose the trail or decide on some of the activities gives them a sense of ownership and investment in the hike. Involving them in the planning process can make them more excited and committed to the adventure. Discuss different trail options, look at maps together, and let them suggest games or activities they would like to do.
Use a Walking Stick
Providing a child-sized walking stick can help kids balance and feel more adventurous during the hike. A walking stick can give them a sense of stability on uneven terrain and make them feel like a true explorer. You can either purchase a lightweight, adjustable hiking pole or find a sturdy stick along the trail.
Pick Appropriate Trails
When choosing a trail to go on for your family hike, consider the length and difficulty and whether your children are old enough or have the stamina to complete the hike. Remember, the purpose of the hike is to get some exercise in but also to create fun memories with the family, and in order to accomplish this, kids shouldn’t have to feel defeated that they weren’t able to complete the hike.
Educational Apps
Using apps that identify plants, animals, or constellations can add an educational twist to the hike, making it both fun and informative. Apps like iNaturalist or Seek by iNaturalist allow kids to take photos of plants and animals to learn more about them. These apps can turn the hike into an interactive learning experience, sparking curiosity and a love for nature.
Create a Hiking Playlist
Making a music playlist with their favorite songs can make the hike more enjoyable for kids. Music can set a fun and energetic tone for the adventure, and familiar tunes can provide comfort and distraction during challenging parts of the hike.
Dress Up Theme
Having a themed hike where everyone dresses up as explorers, pirates, or animals can add an extra layer of fun and excitement. Costumes can spark kids’ imaginations and make the hike feel like a grand adventure. For example, dressing as pirates and hunting for “treasure” along the trail can turn a simple walk into a thrilling quest. Don’t feel like putting on a costume during your hike? Just bring small props such as a pirate hat or a feather hat for everyone to be on theme.
Bring a Magnifying Glass
Packing a magnifying glass can turn a hike into a fascinating exploration of the micro-world. Kids can use it to get a closer look at bugs, plants, rocks, and other small natural wonders they encounter along the trail. This simple tool can help them develop a deeper appreciation for nature’s details.
Photo Challenges
Give your kids a camera or smartphone and set up photo challenges along the way! The challenge could include capturing different types of flowers, wildlife, unique rock formations, or interesting tree shapes. This activity encourages children to observe their surroundings closely and appreciate the beauty of nature. It also provides a creative outlet and a fun way to document their adventure.
Collect Natural Souvenirs
Let your kids collect small, natural souvenirs like leaves, feathers, or stones (where permitted) to make the hike more memorable. These items can serve as tangible reminders of their adventure and can be used for crafts or educational projects later. Just make sure your children collect natural items responsibly and in accordance with local regulations to protect the environment.
Interactive Maps
Providing a simple, kid-friendly map of the trail and letting them navigate can make children feel like true adventurers. Interactive maps usually have landmarks, fun facts, and points of interest that kids can look for in the hike. This activity teaches basic map-reading skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they help lead the way.
Sing-Along Hikes
Sing your favorite songs or make up new ones as you walk to keep spirits high and distract kids from fatigue. Singing can make the hike more enjoyable and create a sense of camaraderie among the group. You can start with well-known songs and then encourage kids to invent their own lyrics about the hike or the scenery around them. Sing-alongs can be a great way to maintain a positive atmosphere throughout the hike.
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