Hiking is the ideal family activity during the summer season. It introduces children to nature and passes on a love of adventure. However, it does require careful preparation to ensure their enjoyment as well as their safety. Here is everything you need to know about hiking with children.
Tips for hiking with young children
The success of a hiking trip with children depends on proper planning. Even before you set off, we recommend checking the weather forecast, identifying the starting point, the number of kilometres to cover, possible refuges or rest stops, and points of interest.
Whatever the length of your hiking trip, regular breaks are essential for children. They're also ideal for recharging. Encourage your children to stay well hydrated and to have energising snacks. If you're heading out for several hours, plan a picnic in a beautiful spot or offer a reward halfway through or at the end of the outing.
The sun can be a real hazard, especially at altitude. Avoid going out during the hottest hours and protect your children. To do so, bring SPF 50 sun cream, hiking caps and hats, as well as category 3 or 4 sunglasses. Also remember to bring a first aid kit to treat minor injuries.
Comfortable and appropriate clothing for the activity is also a must. Like adults, children can follow the three-layer principle. Go for a breathable base layer (technical t-shirt or merino wool), an insulating mid-layer (fleece) and a protective outer layer (lightweight rain jacket or windproof). Also make sure to choose walking shoes with grippy soles.
Finally, you can give a small backpack to the children. They'll be proud to carry their own snack and water bottle. You can also offer them a walking pole, if they want to do like the grown-ups.
Where to go hiking with children?
Each route must be adapted to the age and abilities of the children. Under 3 years old, consider a suitable carrying solution. After that, opt for fairly short outings (up to 4 km between ages 3 and 5, 7 km between 6 and 8, and 10 km between 9 and 12), with little elevation gain, no technical sections or exposed areas. All necessary precautions should also be taken to protect yourself from ticks while hiking.
For a successful outing with children, waymarked and well-maintained trails are recommended. Choose a route with points of interest such as a lake, a waterfall, a cave or a suspension bridge. Forest trails or routes near water are particularly popular with younger children. Finally, opt for a circular route rather than an out-and-back to keep the children's curiosity alive.
There are many resources available to find family-friendly hikes. First, there are specialist apps. You can also visit tourist offices, which generally offer a wide range of themed trails or orienteering courses for children. Regional and national nature parks also provide trails for the whole family. Finally, some printed guidebooks are also very useful for choosing a suitable route.
Activities to do on a hiking trip with children
On a hiking trip with children, fun and educational activities are essential to hold their attention and keep boredom at bay. You can plan a treasure hunt before setting off, a nature spotting game with items to find, or a fun activity like swimming in a lake or building a den. If you decide to bivouac in the mountains, setting up camp — and especially the tent — is also very exciting for them.
Another activity is to give children concrete goals. Their mission might be to reach a viewpoint, a waterfall, a lake or the mountain summit. Once the goal is achieved, you can capture the moment with a photo, encourage them to draw a picture, or give them a well-deserved reward.
Finally, observing nature is a great way to develop the curiosity of younger children. You can look at insects with a magnifying glass or watch animals with binoculars, stop to listen to the sounds of nature, note what they see in a notebook, or even create their own herbarium — all while respecting protected flora.
Whatever you decide to do, hiking with children is always a great idea, as long as you come prepared. By incorporating games and activities, they'll experience it as an adventure rather than a chore. This way, they can burn off energy, learn to respect nature and create unforgettable family memories.
