Hiking With Kids Is Simple...Said No One Ever

But these are my 5 essential tips that make is so much easier and more fun.

I’m a firm believer that having kids doesn’t mean you have to stop hiking. In fact, I’d argue that there are few more meaningful missions in life than raising outdoors-loving kids.

I like to say that kids don’t make hiking impossible, but they can make it more logistically challenging. That said, I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade over the years that have made the experience feel so much more seamless.

These are my favorite little tricks for hiking with kids.

1. Find Their Fixation

One of our kids absolutely loves throwing pebbles into any body of water we can find. It’s basically the current obsession. So there’s nothing quite like promising a water feature and some trail rocks as one of the adventures on a hike.

Scope out trails that play into their favorite outdoors fixations of the moment. It gives them something to look forward to and it lets them know that the hike you picked featured the things they love, too.

2. Incorporate a Post-Hike Car Picnic

Some of our favorite hikes are a decent drive from home, and if there’s one thing you can count on in Colorado, it’s that you’ll get stuck in bumper-to-bumper mountain traffic on weekends.

Our kids love being outdoors, so naturally going from being on the trails to getting back into the car doesn’t always go smoothly.

So we make a point of always doing a post-hike car picnic to fill up those cute little bellies before we hit the road. Can’t beat the snackle box for the ultimate toddler charcuterie arrangement.

Bonus points: tired little legs and full bellies often lead to solid car naps.

3. Put A Camera In Their Hands

We as adults love taking a good snap when on the trails. So why wouldn’t the kiddos, too?

There are so many inexpensive kid-friendly cameras (we have both a Camp Snap one and an Instax Polaroid), and they’re the perfect little way for the little ones to imitate the adults (I don’t know about you, but our eldest wants to use any tools or equipment we’re using).

When they’re little, there’s a good chance you’ll get some crazy crooked snaps with little fingers covering the lenses. But as they get older, it’ll be so special to see what imagery they create when hiking. It becomes a passion and a skill they can build over a lifetime.

4. Hype Them Up

Listen, hiking is hard. Even for us adults. And any kid who’s out of the carrier, attempting the trek on their own two feet deserves a pat on the back.

I think this is something we overlook, but I’ll tell you firsthand, there’s nothing quite like the sense of pride on your kid’s face when you tell them how impressed you are with their determination on the trail.

Did they fall and get back up? Tell them what a feat that is.

Are they navigating a lengthy, heart-racing section of incline? Cheer them on in the thick of it.

5. Know When To Turn Around

I know, I know, you want to reach the summit. But often the best time to turn around when hiking with kids is when they’re in the best mood.

Don’t wait for the worst. And definitely don’t push your luck.

The last thing you want is kids who are cranky and losing their minds when you’ve only just started to begin your descent back to the trailhead.

Unless, of course, your kids are cool with sleeping in the hiking carrier. Then by all means, go for the summit. More power to you.

More On Childhood In The Outdoors

Fellow parents, our mission to raise outdoors explorers is a beautiful one, especially in today’s chronically online culture. It’s probably the topic I’m most excited to talk about. These are a few of my favorite pieces on childhood outdoors:

• What Happened To The Outdoorsy Childhood?

• Can You Really Keep Hiking After You Have Kids?