5 Kid-Friendly Tips to Make Hiking a Fun, Safe Adventure

Hiking with your children can be a great way to build memories and create strong bonds. The problem is that hiking with children isn’t always easy. With a little planning and some tips, though, you can guarantee that your entire family will have a great and safe experience. You should also know that most young kids won't be able to keep up with long hikes.

Here are all the tips you need to know before planning a hiking trip with your little ones.

1) Find a Kid-Friendly Hiking Trail 

When your children want to go hiking, find a trail that doesn’t scare them. Before you begin searching for a trail, you should consider how much they can handle.

The best hiking trails for kids have shorter climbs that don’t go too far from the car. They should also have little to no drop-offs and should have no looping trails. Hikes with a lot of elevation drop-offs and looping trails may cause younger kids to get lost and hurt themselves, so they’re better off for children eight years and older.

2) Prepare All the Essentials

When you’re hiking with children, you need to make sure you have everything you need before leaving the house. Ensure that all of your children’s gear, like backpacks and water bottles, are all packed and ready to go.

You should also make sure you have the necessary safety equipment, like flashlights and extra batteries. Plus, you need to make sure that everyone has enough water and food.

3) Make Sure to Dress Appropriately

Not only do you want to make sure you’re dressed properly yourself, but you should also make sure your children are putting on appropriate clothing. Start by choosing shoes that are sturdy and comfortable. You should also make sure they’re wearing sunscreen and a hat.

You want to make sure that you choose clothes that match the weather. If you’re going on a cooler day, you should consider pants and a coat, as opposed to shorts. If it’s a warmer day, you should make sure your children are wearing shorts, a tank top and a hat.

4) Get Up Early to Hike

Kids are more likely to go on hikes when the sun is still low in the sky. If you can plan a hike with your children in the early morning, you’ll have a far better chance of success.

It’s important to plan a hike with them in the early hours of the morning, because kids are more likely to sleep in. You should also try to plan a hike when there isn’t school, so you can make sure they get the full morning rest. If you can, plan a hike in the winter, and they can sleep in while you go out and play.

5) Clean Up After Yourself

It’s important to clean up after yourself when hiking with your children. You want to make sure they see you making the effort, and that they learn to do the same. 

This will also give your children a better appreciation for the wilderness, as you have to leave your trash there, instead of putting it in the trash can at the trailhead.

Conclusion

Hiking is a great way to create memories with your children, but so is almost anything. The key is making sure you’re doing it in a way that your children are comfortable with.

Make hiking fun and safe for you and your child. With the best hiking accessories from Adventureco, your trip will surely be a success. Take a look at our virtual store to see what we have to offer.