Hiking is the ultimate summer family activity, introducing young children to the great outdoors and sparking their taste for adventure. However, it requires careful preparation to keep it enjoyable and safe. Here is everything you need to know about hiking with kids.
Tips for hiking with young children
A successful hike with children relies on thorough planning. Before heading out, check the weather forecast, confirm the trailhead location, verify total distance, and identify potential mountain huts, rest stops, and highlights along the way.
Regardless of trail distance, regular breaks are essential for children to recover energy. Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids and eat energising snacks. On longer outings, plan a picnic at a scenic spot or offer a well-earned treat halfway through or at the finish.
Sun exposure is a major risk, especially at high altitude. Avoid hiking during peak heat and protect your children with SPF 50 sunscreen, hiking hats and caps, and Category 3 or 4 sunglasses. Always pack a first aid kit for minor scrapes.
Dress them in comfortable, activity-specific clothing. Like adults, kids should use a 3-layer system: a breathable base layer (technical t-shirt or merino wool), an insulating mid-layer (fleece), and a protective outer layer (lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker). Complete the outfit with walking shoes featuring grippy lugged outsoles.
Give children their own small backpack: they will be proud to carry their own snacks and water bottle. You can also hand them a walking pole so they feel like seasoned hikers.
Where to go hiking with kids?
Every route should be matched to the age and fitness of your children. Under 3 years old, use an appropriate child carrier. For older kids, keep routes relatively short (up to 4 km for ages 3–5, 7 km for ages 6–8, and 10 km for ages 9–12), with minimal elevation gain and no technical or exposed sections. Take all necessary precautions to protect against ticks while hiking.
For a successful family hike, choose well-marked and maintained trails. Pick routes featuring highlights like a lake, waterfall, cave, or suspension bridge. Forest and waterside paths are always hits with younger walkers. Finally, prefer loop trails over out-and-back tracks to keep children engaged.
Numerous resources help identify family-friendly hikes. First, check outdoor apps. Next, stop by local tourist offices, which offer themed nature trails and orienteering routes for kids. Regional and national parks also maintain family-friendly trail networks. Finally, printed guidebooks remain invaluable for selecting suitable routes.
Activities to do while hiking with children
When hiking with kids, fun and educational activities keep boredom at bay. Set up a treasure hunt before leaving, an I-Spy nature game, a swim in a lake, or shelter-building. If camping out in the mountains, pitching the tent is an exciting highlight for them.
Another engaging approach is setting tangible goals: reaching a viewpoint, a waterfall, a lake, or a mountain summit. Once reached, mark the achievement with a photo, a drawing session, or a well-deserved reward.
Nature spotting is fantastic for fostering curiosity. Let them observe bugs with a magnifying glass or spot wildlife through binoculars, pause to listen to ambient sounds, sketch what they see in a journal, or create an herbarium while respecting protected flora.
Whatever route you choose, hiking with children is always rewarding when properly planned. Add games and activities to turn it into an adventure rather than a chore. They'll burn off energy, learn respect for nature, and build lasting family memories.
