How to Get Your Kids Excited About Hiking in Nature: A Parent’s Guide to Outdoor Adventures
Hiking with your kids doesn’t have to be a hassle—it can be one of the most rewarding and fun experiences for your family! Nature offers so much to explore, from wildlife and streams to towering trees and colorful flowers. But let’s be honest, not every child is naturally enthusiastic about the idea of walking for hours through the woods. Whether it’s the thought of getting their shoes dirty, the challenge of walking long distances, or simply being glued to screens, getting kids excited about hiking can be a real challenge.
But don’t worry—getting your kids to embrace hiking is completely possible. With the right mindset, preparation, and approach, you can make hiking an adventure they’ll look forward to. Here’s how to get started and make your next hike in nature a fun, educational, and exciting experience for your kids.
Start with Short, Fun Hikes to Build Confidence
One of the biggest mistakes many parents make is jumping into a hike that’s too long or difficult for their kids. If you’re planning on going for a hike that’s several miles long, your child may quickly lose interest, get frustrated, or even give up halfway. The key here is to start small and build up gradually.
Choose easy, manageable trails.
When starting out, look for short, kid-friendly trails. These trails don’t have to be boring—they can still offer plenty of excitement, like waterfalls, scenic views, or unique wildlife sightings. You don’t want your child to feel overwhelmed from the beginning, so aim for hikes that are 1-2 miles or less. A good rule of thumb is to pick a trail with minimal elevation changes, so it’s easier on little legs.
Pick scenic locations.
The more interesting the hike, the more excited your kids will be. Try to choose trails with fun, beautiful scenery—like a waterfall or a bubbling creek. The sounds of rushing water, the sight of wildlife, or the joy of splashing in the stream can capture their attention and make the hike feel like an adventure. And don’t forget about the visual appeal—nature’s beauty is enough to hold anyone’s attention!
Make it a treasure hunt.
Kids love to explore, and a little bit of imagination can turn a regular hike into a treasure hunt. Create a list of things to find during the hike, such as a certain type of leaf, animal tracks, or a colorful flower. You can even make it more specific and focus on something like “a rock shaped like a heart” or “a bird with bright feathers.” It adds an extra layer of fun and discovery to the walk, keeping kids engaged along the way.
Let Your Kids Lead the Way
If you’re constantly telling your kids to stay in line, keep walking, or follow you, hiking can start to feel more like a chore. However, letting your kids take the reins (even if only for a little bit) can have a huge impact on their excitement and motivation.
Empower their curiosity.
One of the best ways to get your kids excited about hiking is to give them some control over the adventure. Let them take the lead, even if it’s just for short stretches of the hike. Allowing your child to choose the path or direct where to go next makes them feel more involved and invested in the hike. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach them about map-reading or navigating using landmarks.
Encourage exploration.
Sometimes the trail can seem like an endless stretch of dirt and rocks, but to kids, it’s an exciting new world. Encourage them to stop, look around, and explore. Let them search for bugs, point out animal tracks, or look for new plants. It’s all about fostering their natural curiosity about the world around them. The more they explore, the more they’ll develop a love for nature!
Positive reinforcement.
Be sure to celebrate their small accomplishments along the way. Did they spot a deer or a bird? Great job! Did they climb over a log or cross a stream without hesitation? Awesome! Complimenting them for their efforts can motivate them to keep going, and eventually, they’ll begin to associate hiking with positive experiences and achievements.
Make Hiking Fun with Outdoor Games
If your kids are starting to lose interest, it’s time to introduce some outdoor games to break the monotony. Hiking doesn’t have to be just about walking—there’s plenty of room for fun and games along the way!
Nature games.
Games like “I Spy” or “I Spy with My Little Eye” are classic ways to keep kids engaged while hiking. You can also do a nature scavenger hunt—create a list of things for your kids to find (e.g., a pinecone, a bird’s feather, a red leaf, etc.). You could even up the challenge by setting a timer and seeing how many items they can spot in a certain amount of time.
Physical challenges.
Kids love physical challenges, and hiking is a great way to include some lighthearted competitions. Challenge them to “race” to the next tree or see who can jump the farthest across a stream. If there’s a particularly big rock or log, ask them to climb over it or crawl under it. These mini challenges break up the walk and keep kids excited and moving.
Storytelling.
Bring a bit of imagination into the hike by telling a story. Make up a tale about mystical creatures living in the forest or pretend that the trail is part of an ancient journey. You can even turn yourself into a character and have your kids help you “fight off” a wild animal or find hidden treasure. Storytelling lets you connect with your kids in a creative way and makes the hike feel more like an adventure.
Involve Them in Planning the Hike
Kids love to feel included, so why not let them take part in planning the hike? By getting them involved in the preparation, you can build excitement and anticipation for the adventure.
Let them choose the trail.
Before heading out, give your kids a list of family-friendly hikes to choose from. If they’re old enough, you can look at trail maps together and talk about the different options. Do they want to visit a waterfall or explore a forest? Let them decide! When they have a say in the decision, they’ll feel more motivated and excited about the adventure.
Research together.
The more your kids know about the trail, the more excited they’ll be. Research the trail together by looking at photos, reading about the wildlife you might see, and talking about what makes the hike special. This can build anticipation and give them something to look forward to. You could even ask your kids to learn a bit about the animals or plants you might encounter.
Pack their own bags.
Packing for a hike doesn’t have to be all about you. Give your kids the responsibility of packing their own bags, whether it’s for snacks, a water bottle, or even a small toy or nature journal. This not only gets them excited about the hike but also helps them learn about what’s essential for outdoor adventures.
Make Hiking a Social Activity
Hiking can be even more fun when you include others! Whether it’s friends, family, or a local hiking group, getting social during your hikes can increase excitement and motivation.
Invite friends.
Nothing makes hiking more fun than a group of friends! Invite your kids’ friends along for the hike. They’ll love having someone to chat with, explore with, and compete with during games. A hike with friends can feel more like a party than a walk in the woods.
Join a family hiking club.
Consider joining a family hiking club or a local outdoor group for families. Many places have groups specifically for families with kids, and these clubs often offer regular hikes that are perfect for little ones. It’s a great way to meet other families and turn hiking into a regular social activity.
Connect with nature.
While hiking with others can be fun, don’t forget the importance of connecting with nature as a family. Talk to your kids about the environment, why it’s important to protect nature, and how everyone can do their part. Sharing these conversations in the outdoors helps your kids develop a deeper respect and appreciation for the world around them.
Set Up Hiking Rewards
To make hiking even more exciting for kids, set up a reward system. Whether it’s a special treat or a fun family activity after the hike, rewards can provide that extra incentive to keep going.
Celebrate accomplishments.
Did your kids finish a challenging part of the hike? Celebrate it! Take a break, have a snack, and praise their hard work. After the hike, you can reward them with a special treat, like a picnic or a trip to their favorite ice cream shop. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in making hiking feel like a fun reward instead of just another task.
Create a hiking journal.
If your kids are old enough, encourage them to keep a hiking journal where they can write about or draw what they saw on the hike. This will give them something to look forward to after the hike and can help reinforce their connection to nature.
Conclusion
Getting your kids excited about hiking isn’t always an easy feat, but it’s definitely worth the effort. By choosing the right trails, turning hikes into fun adventures, and making nature an exciting place to explore, you’ll help foster a love for the outdoors in your