Comments on: 5 Tips for Family Hiking With Kids

By: What does my name mean?

What does my name mean? — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 06:52:03 +0000

wat is your myspace page

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:36:59 +0000

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.

By: Clark

Clark — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:59:16 +0000

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’.

By: Renee

Renee — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:29:04 +0000

That sounds great. I think we might do a hike with my son next year. At two he might still be a little young.

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:10:49 +0000

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!

By: Talen

Talen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:59:07 +0000

Great tips, beautiful pictures and adorable kids!

By: Carolina

Carolina — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:22:19 +0000

great tips and wow, what beautiful pictures. those alone are inspiration enough to go for a hike.

By: Momisodes

Momisodes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:22:15 +0000

Great tips! It looks like they had a great time. I cannot wait until my daughter is a bit older so we can go.

By: Akila

Akila — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:37:05 +0000

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.

By: Lora

Lora — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:52:28 +0000

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.

By: johnny

johnny — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:24:16 +0000

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.

By: Sarah V.

Sarah V. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:38:41 +0000

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.

By: Shannon OD

Shannon OD — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:41:34 +0000

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 :-)

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:44:24 +0000

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!