As avid hikers, it’s been a process going through all the different stages of hiking with our kids. From carrying them as infants, carrying and allowing much more hiking as toddlers, and now carrier-free hiking as preschool-aged children, we have learned a lot along the way. Charleigh is now 5 and Liam is 3, so we’re in the prime preschool-age and are seeing the gambit of the experience through this age window. And we want to share our favorite encouragement, realistic expectations and top tips for hiking with preschool-aged children.
First, Let’s Get Real…
Hiking with preschool-aged kids is going to vary day by day. Some days it’s going to be flawless and you feel like the ultimate wild-mama or wild-dada. Other days they will win. They will break you and you swear you’re never doing this again… until you do. Don’t feel like a failure if you end up bailing out of a trail because it’s just not the right day for a hike. However, other days will be wonderful and many will be in-between. While these are tips that work for our kiddos, every kid is different and you’ll find some of these tips will work for you and others will not. We’re all just learning along the way! So, manage your expectations.
Get Your Kids the Appropriate Gear
Now, this is not me saying your kids need name-brand hiking outfits like they’re mini-influencers, but the one name-brand (or at least substantial and tested) thing I stand behind getting your kiddos is quality footwear. Because you now probably have the expectation that they’re on-foot, you should make sure that their little feet are both protected and supported. Our kids’ shoe brands of choice are Merrell for a hiking shoe and Keen for a hiking sandal. This may change, but at these ages, they seem to fit them well and not leave blisters. CJ does have a little walking stick, and I think I’ll probably get Liam one too for hikes that are a bit more strenuous or steep. CJ also has a little REI daypack that we got her, but she doesn’t carry it all the time yet. By the time she’s seven, though, I would like for her to consistently carry her own water and snacks, just because it’s part of hiking responsibly.
IF your preschooler is still able to fit in a kid carrier and you want to bring one, just in case, the Deuter Kid Comfort is our carrier of choice. It’s comfortable for both the kids and us. On longer hikes (4+ miles) we’re currently still bringing the Deuter as one of our backpacks just in case LJ gets a little pooped. We’re still working on figuring out his current stamina. When CJ was 3.5 we stopped giving her a Deuter as an option and I would just pick her up and carry her for short bursts and I’m hoping to do that for Liam soon too.
Praise and Encourage Your Kids – “I’m So Proud of You! You’re So Capable!” Is My Hiking Catchphrase
Notice that your kid did something new! Praise it! Tell them how capable they are. Show them you’re excited they’re outside with you. When they ask a question, tell them it’s a great question and try to get them to come up with an answer, then figure it out together. When a kid falls and gets right back up, praise it! Our kids respond so beautifully to comments like “You’re killing it!”, “Look at you!”, and “You’ve got this!”
Turn Being Outside Into a Game
Sometimes that game is trying to identify what we hear. I love to point out things in nature that I can identify and ask questions about it to spark curiosity. We’re super hands-on. I like to let them experience the textures in nature like feeling different tree trunks, touching leaves and picking up rocks. We also play I Spy, take turns counting to 100, counting in Spanish and even singing silly songs together. When the trail gets “boring” this helps distract your kiddos.
Want to Learn More About this Method of Nature-Connection? Check Out My Review of the Book How to Raise a Wild Child
Choose Realistic Hikes and Get Them Used to Hiking
For both of our kids, we started letting them hike on our local greenways. Once they were comfortable on those and we felt comfortable that they knew how to stay on a trail, be respectful of others and the nature around them, we graduated them to true hiking trails. But, we didn’t start them on a 10 mile hike. We started them on 2-3 mile trails and CJ is now rocking 6-7 mile hikes and Liam is getting closer to the 3 mile mark.
Let Them Take the Lead, When Safe, and Take Calculated Risks
One thing we love to do is let the kids take the lead. They feel really capable being the ones to read the blazes, to see things first and show us the way. I love seeing my kids be empowered by nature. When creeks aren’t too strong, we let them cross without holding their hands. I let them climb up on rocks and jump off of them. I love watching them learn just what they’re capable of because when I don’t hold them back with my own fear, I learn just how capable they are. Obviously, don’t let your kids do anything truly unsafe, but also remember that scrapes and scratches are a normal part of growing up.
Be Amazed in Seeing the Wonder of Nature Through Their Eyes
This is something that is a tip for you. Be wowed by things in a whole new way, simply by watching the world through your little one’s eyes. They’ll see things you don’t even notice, their imaginations will run wild and you, if you’re willing, will get caught up in the beauty that is both the outdoors, and your kid’s mind. It’s a beautiful place to dwell, if you ask me.
It’s Okay to Stop and Play
Kids are kids and they’re going to want to explore the materials around them. Instead of creating games that let us keep going, we let them just simply stop and play. Our kids have done everything from build sand castles, “make mac n cheese” stirring pine needles with a stick, or jumping off of tree stumps multiple times. Letting them have a few minutes to do something they’re super into every so often make hiking more enjoyable to them, therefore, more enjoyable for you.
Nothing Motivates a Preschool-Aged Hiker Like the Promise of a Snack
We use snacks as a bribe, encouragement, all the time. We have something that’s a treat at the big scenic thing we’re hiking to – almost always a gummy treat of some sort – where we sit and soak up the view and sit together and rest. We also bring things that fuel us, but also taste good. Like beef jerky tender bites, pretzel sticks, fruit or yogurt pouches or even a pbj, depending on how long the hike is.
Don’t Immediately Pick Up Your Kid When They Ask
For us, we’ve found that as soon as we pick up a kid, they want to be carried the rest of the way. And the first few times they ask is actually out of boredom, not out of tiredness. Obviously, you know your child, and make the choice best for you guys. When they first ask, we use this as an opportunity to play I Spy or something. When we can tell they’re actually tired, we of course are willing to pick them up. I do try to only carry them temporarily. I usually say “for 100 steps“. We count to 100, each of us take turns saying the next number and then I put them down once we reach 100. It works for us.
Still Consider that the Trail Should Be One You Can Carry Your Kid Out Of
While it is far less likely now, if you’ve had a hiking toddler, it’s not unheard of that your kid might want to get carried out. For that reason, or if, god-forbid, your child gets injured and needs to be carried, be sure that you’re in the position that you can get your kids out carrying them, if you need to.
Bring All the Things That Are Important for Safety for Your Little Ones
Bring Enough Water: Be sure to bring enough water for both you and your little ones. If they’re old enough and capable enough, give them the responsibility of carrying of their own water bottle. We love these because they close and are easy to drink from without spilling. Also, bring enough for you too!
Bring a First Aid Kit or at Least Something Basic: I like to at least have scrape and cut stuff. So antibiotic cream, wipes and bandaids. My daughter still “needs a bandaid” when she gets a scrape.
Bring Sun Protection: Your kiddos still have tender skin that you want to keep safe. So I highly recommend sunscreen and a hat. I love the sunscreen sticks because you can reapply mid-hike without getting hands goopy.
Bring Layers: Look at the weather beforehand and bring the layers you think you might need: a sweatshirt, a rain jacket and potentially extra socks.
Let Them Get Dirty
Kids are going to be kids. Obviously, there is a limit to what you want to let them do, but clothes and skin wash. Let them get their hands in dirt, let them touch things that you might consider “dirty”. Trail objects, creek water and dirt are some of the greatest sensory bins a personal could imagine having.
Bailing Out of a Hike is Nothing to Be Ashamed Of
This has been the hardest thing for me. If I’m being honest, I hate it when we have to turn around without finishing a trail because, well, I want to do the trail and it feels like I’ve “failed” that hike because I couldn’t keep my kids interested, excited or involved. But that’s simply not the case. Some days I don’t want to hike, and I have to remember that my kids also will have those days, and it’s unrealistic to think I’m doing anything wrong by having to turn around. It just wasn’t meant to be. It’s not a failure, it’s an acceptance that there will be another opportunity to hike that trail.
These are our top tips for hiking with preschool-aged kids that have kept us hitting dozens hiking trails each year. While we don’t get as many miles in as we used to, we spend just as much, if not more, time outside. Hiking with our kids has been one off the greatest joys – even though it can be challenging – and it’s part of my larger commitment to raising my children wild.
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