4 Tips for Hiking with Toddlers and Preschoolers

  Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Family Fun, hosted by The Realistic Mama! 15 bloggers are each sharing some great ideas for spending time together as a family. (There's also an awesome giveaway at the bottom...you'll want to check it out. Trust me!) 
   Let's get started with...hiking! 

  When I used to picture hiking, I'd envision steep mountains, rugged terrain, outdoorsy people in backpacks ready for it all. In other words, totally not me. But when I talk about our family hiking, I mean something very different. 

  We are lucky enough, though we live in the city, to have a couple of areas that have been left wooded, with trails added. Kay, at 5, now enjoys walking just for the sake of it, and happily ambles through the natural setting, as we wander off the trails to climb over fallen trees and challenging rocks. 

 My point is, it doesn't matter where you hike, or what your definition of it is. The important part is spending time in nature and being together. 

  That said, I do have a few tips to help make hikes (or nature walks) go a little more smoothly with the kids. 

• Bring snacks. Nothing can turn your sweet, smiley child into a Grouch-a-Saurus quicker than hunger. Be sure to pack something to munch on and carry water for everyone too.
  

• Provide focus. This is the first year Kay has enjoyed nature just for nature's sake. Not all kids are going to happily look at tree after tree, even with the bonus of scrambling up rocks and climbing over fallen trees. Bring them something to give the hike a focus, like a scavenger hunt where they check off things they find. Or perhaps they'd like to bring a pail along to search for interesting rocks, sticks or pine cones.

• Let them explore. Stop and investigate an interesting tree stump. Who do you think lives there? Let your child decide which direction to go in when possible. They'll like feeling all in charge! 

• Keep your expectations reasonable. Even with their seemingly boundless energy, an over-long hike won't be enjoyable for anyone. Start small, and if all goes well, then you can think about working up to longer treks. 
  

  Most of all, have fun. Because that's the whole idea, right? 

  Do you go hiking with small children? Have any suggestions to add? I'd love to hear them!

  

Did I mention the amazing giveaway? Yeah, because it's awesome! 

Ready for some more family fun ideas? 

              Forever Keepsake - Family Footprint Frame - The Realistic Mama | Simple Ideas for Summer Family Fun - Lemon Lime Adventures | Backyard Tight Rope - Kids Activities Blog | Family Fun Art Project - Hand Made Kids Art | Family Scavenger Hunt - This Reading Mama | Family Movie Nights - Artsy Momma | Nature Scavenger Hunt Free Printable - The Jenny Evolution | Summer Sayings Board - Edventures with Kids | Playground Hop - Valley Family Fun | Hometown Ice Cream Tour - Study At Home Mama 

or see the full list The Realistic Mama!

First image by Paul Schultz, shared under a Creative Commons license.