Top 10 Tips for Hiking with Kids

1. Snacks, Snack, Snacks (and Water): After a hearty breakfast with plenty of protein make sure to pack fun snacks that your kids love. We usually have trail mix, dried fruit or granola bars. Pack an extra special treat such as cookies to save for once you get to the top. 2. Set Realistic Expectations: You are going for the journey rather than the destination. Expect that you will be going at a slower pace. You will probably make frequent stops (to nosh those snacks). If possible, bring along a carrier for your youngest incase little legs need a break. 3. Choose The Right Trail: Start with easy, flat trails if your children are young or inexperienced hikers. Look for trails with interesting features like rivers, waterfalls or huge rock formations. Resources like alltrails.com, your local conservation commission or nature center, as well as friends or a local social media page are all great places to go for recommendations. 4. Go With Friends: Hiking with friends can make a big difference to everyone's motivation and enjoyment! If this is your first time going with your kids, ideally pick friends whose kids have hiked before and are used to the experience. 5. Build on Their Interests: Maybe you have an insect lover, budding forager or a mini geologist. Bring a field guide. Did you know there are field guides for scat?! Kids love talking about poop! Any of these interests can be made more formal with a printed scavenger hunt. Artists can bring along a sketch book, or maybe your child is interested in taking photos. 6. Dress for Success: Layers, rain gear and the right footwear are all important to keep in mind. The saying goes, "there is no bad weather, only the wrong clothing." Remember at the summit it may be windy and colder than the temperature at the trailhead. 7. Encourage Participation and Responsibility: Even young children love to be involved in the preparations for a family outing. Give kids responsibilities such as filling water bottles, preparing the snack (taking the apples out of the fridge counts). Once they are older they can carry a lightweight backpack or be the one to hold a map or field guide. 8. Play Trail Games: Incorporating games on the trail is a great way to break up the difficult spots. Games you can play include: I Spy, Flash Flood, Camouflage, or a game of Coyote Freeze. 9. Join a Club or Challenge: Look for a hiking group that fits your needs. There may also be a program near you that offers hiking challenges where kids can earn badges or small prizes. Look for these types of programs through your local 4-H program, a conservation commission or your state's cooperative extension. If you can't find one try using your own printable hiking challenge. 10. Stay Positive: Even if you don't make the summit or that awesome waterfall you were still outdoors together making memories. The next time you go out your kids will be older and stronger so don't get discouraged! You are laying the foundation for a lifelong love of being outdoors. Remember: Hiking together is the perfect time to teach trail safety (using a map, following the trail markers, wearing orange as indicated by hunting dates and staying with the group) as well as respect for the natural world (carry in/carry out, staying on the marked trail, viewing animals from a distance.) And remember — have fun out there! Alisha DiMasi, MS OTR/L, is an occupational therapist helping families bring ease to their parenting journey. She works with families throughout New Hampshire using sensory-informed parent coaching and offers occupational therapy consultations. She lives in Lyndeborough and can be reached at www.wellwithinnh.com or @wellwithinnh.