Hiking with Kids: A Concise Guide for Adventurous Families

Hiking is a fantastic way to create wonderful childhood memories for your kids. It not only makes them have fun and enjoyable memories, but the adventure also helps them build self-confidence while enjoying nature in its abundance.

Childhood memories are significant in human lives. It shapes our thinking and our future. Children with amazing memories are more likely to grow up to live a happy life.

According to Wild Bunch Desert Guides, an adventure tour company in Arizona, hiking with kids needs some extra planning to ensure a successful and enjoyable adventure. 

This guide will help families with kids effectively plan a hiking tour to create long-lasting fun memories.

When is the perfect age for hiking with kids?

There is no perfect age to start hiking with kids. Children of all ages can accompany adults on hikes. The major difference is in the preparation. 

For instance, it is easier to hike with babies as you only need to put them in a wrap or backpack carrier. However, you will need to pack a lot of food, clothes, and diapers to make them comfortable during the tour. 

Toddlers, on the other hand, even though they can walk on their own, usually get tired quickly and cannot cover the same pace as adults. 

Overall, the stress of preparing for a hiking tour with kids gets easier with experience. 

Tips to plan a successful hiking adventure with kids

Hitting the trails with your kids can be a fantastic way to bond and create lasting memories. Here are some tips to plan a successful hiking adventure:

Plan together

This is vital if the trip is your first family hiking adventure. Get your kids prepared by playing online videos of hiking tours.

Show them some potential routes on a map or computer and ask them which they prefer. Ask them what they would like to do during the adventure, and educate them on important safety measures.

During the walk, let them carat the map or GPS unit. This will make the adventure more fun for them and also help boost their self-confidence.

Expect a dramatic meltdown

Children can be dramatic and sometimes unpredictable. Therefore, be prepared for anything during the tour. 

Most kids have dramatic meltdowns while hiking. This is probably due to reasons such as being bored or tired. 

When you observe that their jolly mood suddenly switches to being dramatic, be easy on them. Instead of yelling, take a break and try to calm down. 

Choose short and safe hikes

Hiking with kids should not be an adventure that helps you tick off your hiking bucket list. Remember, they are kids and will need more steps to cover the pace of an adult.

Considering their age, choose a hike that will not be too long for them. If you are traveling with more than one kid, the age of the youngest should be considered when selecting the best hikes for the family.

Choose a short trail with easy terrain and ensure it is safe, especially for kids.

Lead by example

Your kids look up to you and will pick up many cues, even those you try to mask. 

It is your job to make them feel safe and confident throughout the adventure, unless you want them to have a memory that might forever dissuade them from ever hiking again. 

While you need to educate them and make them understand that outdoor adventures can be dangerous, it is still your responsibility to make them feel comfortable and learn how to remain calm in the face of danger.

Allow them to wander about a bit on their own while keeping your eyes on them. This will not only give them a break but will also engage them in activities other than hiking.

Benefits of hiking with children

Hiking is a great way to help your kids discover nature and make them aware of environmental issues. 

Below are some benefits of hiking with your kids:

Build self-confidence

Hiking presents kids with challenges such as trekking up a hill, strategizing how to cross a stream, or jumping over a branch on the way.

Overcoming these obstacles can significantly improve their self-esteem and help build their self-confidence.

Stress reduction

Spending time in nature has a calming effect. It promotes relaxation and lowers stress and anxiety. At the same time, it improves moods.

Meanwhile, researchers have linked stress early in life to cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood.

Balance and coordination

Walking over uneven terrain challenges kids to navigate rocks, roots, and inclines. This can help train the body’s muscles for better balancing and coordination. A report published by Harvard Medical School confirmed this, noting that hiking engages the core muscles in kids’ torsos and improves balance skills.