A couple weeks ago we took the kids out for a quick Fall hike at Amicalola Fall. It all started from being stuck inside the house for the whole week from the flu. We all needed fresh air.
Amicalola Fall is our favorite close-to-home hiking place. It’s only less than an hour away and it has very easy trail for family with kids.
My long time readers know how we are such a city family that is working on enjoying more outdoor activities. So hiking is another one of my goal to try to do with my kids this year.
In order to make hiking with kids fun and successful for family, I have learn a few tips from my own experience.
Here is 5 Steps to A Successful Hiking with kids
1. Choosing the right trail
You know your kids’ strength and limitation so choose hiking trail that suits your family.
On our first visit to Amicalola Fall a couple years ago, we knew that Mr. Z wasn’t ready for 300+ steps to go up to the Fall yet. So we drove up to the parking lot that connects to an easier trail.
This time around they were ready and eager to do the walk themselves. It wasn’t without whining but they did it!!
2. Dress in layers
Fall hiking is different than Summer or Spring hiking that the weather can be vastly different between the time when you start your hike and when you are half way into your hike.
Dress in layer will help you maintain the comfort.
3. Make it fun
Walking by itself can be BORING. Find interesting things and discuss about it. Or invent a treasure hunt game to make the hike less of a work but more of the play.
Check out Geocaching for even more fun in treasure hunting. Lora at Tripping With Kids has great post about her experience and tips on how to get started.
4. Frequent stop
We are not racing with anyone so go ahead and stop as frequently as they want. Those little legs need a break once in a while or in our case once every stop we can find.
Take advantage of the rest to get some fun pictures.
5. Don’t forget snack and drink
I couldn’t tell you how much I love Kids Camel Pak we got from REI store. It’s a must-have for us now. Kids are motivated to walk longer with water they can drink at anytime.
Plus I think the cool factor does play a big role for my kids. It makes them feel like a real big people with their own snacks and drink. Little incentive goes a long way.
Do you have other tips for family hiking with kids?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I think your tips are spot on, and would encourage parents to go-for-it despite whining (or even pre-whining, which we sometimes get). Lately I don’t even say the word ‘hiking’ and instead refer to it as ‘exploring’ or just an outing, and have them bring along a collection bucket for pine cones or other interesting objects. Great post & inspiration Amy!
Great post Amy! I still covet those packs and now that you reminded me, I’m putting them on the xmas list for my niece and nephew :-)
These are great tips! We haven’t tried hiking yet with our daughter, but I think it might be time to give it a try.
I find having a tasty little snacj that the kids love comes in very handy when they are getting bored or tired, it takes their minds of it all and gets them back in good form.
Love the post. Great idea for an outing. I also agree about the camelbacks, makes the kids more in charge. Very good tips, you are a pro! (And thanks for the mention on geocaching.) Also, the pictures are inspiring. You never realize the beauty that lies not far away.
I don’t know anything about hiking with kids but we do love Amicalola Falls. Another place we love though a bit further from Atlanta is the whole Elijay area. Have you been up there for their apple festival? It is sometime in mid-November and it’s really lovely. There are lots of short tracks around that area.
Great tips! It looks like they had a great time. I cannot wait until my daughter is a bit older so we can go.
great tips and wow, what beautiful pictures. those alone are inspiration enough to go for a hike.
Great tips, beautiful pictures and adorable kids!
You have become the great outdoors family. Excellent advice. Your kids are going to be so addicted to the great outdoors and it is so wonderful to see you doing it all as a family. Love that waterfall!
That sounds great. I think we might do a hike with my son next year. At two he might still be a little young.
Taking your time is certainly great advice. It can be a good means of gaining patience!
A couple other tips:
Be prepared to carry one of your little ones if they get too tired. My youngest gets ‘moody’ when tired and there are times when the only option is to carry him over some tough spots.
I also have gotten in the habit of taking a first aid kit with me wherever I go. Largely never gets used but an essential piece of kit when a scraps are more than a simple ‘boo boo’.
Nice post. I would add to 1. Choosing the right trail and 3. Make it fun: Don’t count on the destination such as a water fall or a great view at the top of the mountain to keep the kids going forward. Make sure the trail and hike to the destination is interesting and be creative with stories mixed with facts.
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