Name of Blog
RV Tips Blog
Camping Tips Blog
Tips for Hiking with Kids
06-05-2017Author :Chelsea Barron in We Wander Wherever
If you are an avid RVer, it’s pretty likely that you’ll stay in some absolutely beautiful campgrounds that practically beg you to go on a hike or two. I’m not a regular hiker myself, but there have been plenty of instances in our full-time adventures when a good hike just felt right.
Related Read: Yellowstone Journal- Hiking in Yellowstone
That said, my husband and I have a five-year-old son, and hiking with small children can easily take the fun right out of the hiking experience. Unfortunately, this is likely to leave everyone feeling pretty negative in the end, which nobody wants after what should be a pleasant hike.
Related Read: Full Time RVing with Kids
Luckily, there are ways to avoid those negative feelings and make a hike fun for everyone. Below are some tips to make your next hiking adventure with kids as stress-free as possible.Schedule Strategically
Most children are happiest in the morning hours. Therefore, hitting the trails before lunchtime is generally a good idea when you’ve got little hikers tagging along. By heading out right after breakfast you can ensure your child is in a good mood and full of energy while also avoiding the hottest part of the day. Best of all, you’ll be back at camp in time for an afternoon rest!
Pack Smart
Carefully considering what you put in your hiding pack is always important. However, this is even more true for those who are taking kids along.
For instance, an adult may not necessarily pack much in the way of snacks for a two-hour walk in the woods. However, little tummies need to eat often, and a hike that long will likely require at least one snack stop. Therefore, crackers, raisins, trail mix, or popcorn should be added to the family backpack.
Plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat for each hiker should be thrown in as well.
Related Read: Top Camping Gear, a Complete List
Make it Fun
Most adults are content to take in the scenery and have some light conversation during a hike. Children, on the other hand, often find this incredibly boring. By adding some play into your hike and allowing the kids to take the lead from time to time, you can make your family adventure a lot more fun for the youngest hikers.
Some suggestions for upping the fun include:
- Organizing a scavenger hunt
- Birdwatching
- Allowing the kids to choose which turn to take
- Stopping to check out bugs, plants, or animals
- Splashing in streams or creeks
- Playing “follow the leader”
By using these tips and keeping little legs in mind when planning routes and rest stops, your family will be having fun on the trail in no time! So what are you waiting for? Head out into the woods and start exploring!
Blog Author Details
Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son rsquo;s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family. Check out her blog Wonder Wherever We Wander.
If you are an avid RVer, it’s pretty likely that you’ll stay in some absolutely beautiful campgrounds that practically beg you to go on a hike or two. I’m not a regular hiker myself, but there have been plenty of instances in our full-time adventures when a good hike just felt right.
Related Read: Yellowstone Journal- Hiking in Yellowstone
That said, my husband and I have a five-year-old son, and hiking with small children can easily take the fun right out of the hiking experience. Unfortunately, this is likely to leave everyone feeling pretty negative in the end, which nobody wants after what should be a pleasant hike.
Related Read: Full Time RVing with Kids
Luckily, there are ways to avoid those negative feelings and make a hike fun for everyone. Below are some tips to make your next hiking adventure with kids as stress-free as possible.Schedule Strategically
Most children are happiest in the morning hours. Therefore, hitting the trails before lunchtime is generally a good idea when you’ve got little hikers tagging along. By heading out right after breakfast you can ensure your child is in a good mood and full of energy while also avoiding the hottest part of the day. Best of all, you’ll be back at camp in time for an afternoon rest!
Pack Smart
Carefully considering what you put in your hiding pack is always important. However, this is even more true for those who are taking kids along.
For instance, an adult may not necessarily pack much in the way of snacks for a two-hour walk in the woods. However, little tummies need to eat often, and a hike that long will likely require at least one snack stop. Therefore, crackers, raisins, trail mix, or popcorn should be added to the family backpack.
Plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat for each hiker should be thrown in as well.
Related Read: Top Camping Gear, a Complete List
Make it Fun
Most adults are content to take in the scenery and have some light conversation during a hike. Children, on the other hand, often find this incredibly boring. By adding some play into your hike and allowing the kids to take the lead from time to time, you can make your family adventure a lot more fun for the youngest hikers.
Some suggestions for upping the fun include:
- Organizing a scavenger hunt
- Birdwatching
- Allowing the kids to choose which turn to take
- Stopping to check out bugs, plants, or animals
- Splashing in streams or creeks
- Playing “follow the leader”
By using these tips and keeping little legs in mind when planning routes and rest stops, your family will be having fun on the trail in no time! So what are you waiting for? Head out into the woods and start exploring!
Comment
Author : Chelsea Barron
Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family. Check out her blog Wonder Wherever We Wander.
Related Blogs
3 Ideal Roadschooling Curriculum Options
Choosing to roadschool is a big deal. Choosing your roadschooling curriculum is an even bigger deal. After all, you must choose something that fits your travel style as well as your kid’s learning style. Additionally, the curricu...
Tips for Roadschooling Effectively
If you are thinking about roadschooling your children while traveling in an RV, there is a good chance you’re feeling a bit nervous about the prospect. This is espe...
Reading on the Go
As many of you already know, my husband and I roadschool our son while we travel full-time in our RV. This means we go through a lot of books. Unfortunately, carrying an enormous number of heavy books around with us just isn't prac...