Our family loves a good hike. We started when my stepdaughters were still small (now teens), and now we’re getting my son out on the trail with us. There is a method to the madness, especially when the kids are little. Hiking with toddlers and preschoolers presents a unique challenge compared to babies you can just carry, and bigger kids that typically have a longer attention span and more stamina. That being said, taking the little kids on the trail is also uniquely special as they’re still firmly rooted in everything is new and magical territory. Here are our 8 best tips for hiking with little kids we’ve found over the years to help empower you to get out there and make some great memories!
1: Choose the Right Trail
I’d suggest that a good toddler/preschooler hike is right around 2 miles or less if you want them to walk a good deal of it. We’ve definitely done a lot longer, but that’s only if you’re comfortable carrying them (more on that in a bit).
Pay attention to terrain and elevation changes when researching your trail choice–steep gradients are a lot harder for small legs than longer distances over flatter terrain. Also keep an eye out for potential safety hazards, such as steep stone staircases or open cliff edges. You can see some examples of great kid-friendly trails near our home here. Even if you live somewhere totally different that can give you some specific vibes that work well in our experience.
A final thought: Don’t be afraid to revisit trails! Sometimes we all get caught up in the next big thing, a new place, a different park. It’s awesome to change things up, but kids love routine and familiarity. You may not love visiting the same nature center every other week (honestly, same), but if your kiddo lives for it that’s how you build up both their passion and their stamina!
2: Check the Weather
Always check weather forecasts and trail conditions before you head out, and always be honest with yourself about hiking within your limits. We want this to be fun! A thunderstorm, unexpected snow, or a heat wave can really ruin your day and potentially be quite dangerous. Similarly, let the weather impact your trail choice. Maybe a rainy day is not the ideal time for a swamp, or perhaps a hot summer day is perfect for that lake trail with a breeze.
I’d also suggest keeping your kids’ weather preferences in mind, too. If they’re miserable and uncomfortable no one will have a good time. For about 2 years my son despised being wet, and the hassle was simply not worth it. So we skipped rainy day hikes until he changed his mind/learned to trust rain gear, and that is totally okay. Letting them lead a bit will keep everyone in a better mood.
3: Have the Right Gear
Gear truly makes all of the difference. BUT that doesn’t mean it needs to be a money sink, nor should it be–kids are going to outgrow, lose, or break most of this stuff sooner or later. Even still, if it’ll be sunny have sunglasses on hand. If they aren’t used to walking bring a carrier or stroller. If it’s a bit chilly dress in layers or add a base layer. Ultimately this is some real tantrum prevention groundwork, and a little planning goes a long way for everyone’s joy and sanity.
The only place I really encourage splurging a bit is on shoes. Having proper footwear can help prevent nasty slips and falls, keeps them walking further comfortably, and provides the proper support for small feet. We personally loved these Merrell Trail Chasers for our little guy for a long time. We went through 3 separate pairs as he kept growing before finally moving him to actual boots this year. He’s on to his first pair of Keens this year, but I loved Merrell for the tiny foot years. They were comfy, not too clunky for him, and provided good traction in slippery areas.
Side note, I did write out everything I bring on day hikes if you’re curious–it covers all of the bases from first aid to a power bank.
4: Consider a Carrier
If your favorite tiny human is not used to walking a lot, a carrier is your new best friend. If you want to walk further than you can ask of a small child, a carrier is life. We’ve done classic baby wearing wraps, a side saddle carrier (do not recommend), an REI piggyback rigid frame carrier, and are currently rolling a Tula preschool carrier. Because these can be expensive and don’t last forever, used is a great option. I have a post over here on when to choose new/used/rental gear, but, in a nutshell, carriers are a prime candidate for shopping used.
Despite the cost, I loveeee not being limited to how far my son can go. We’ve been able to see views and finish loops that would never have been possible otherwise. Necessary? No. Sparkly priority upgrade? Absolutely.
5: Be Prepared to Stop. A Lot.
Be prepared to stop and smell the flowers. Literally. Toddlers and preschoolers alike will typically want to stop and explore every few feet, as that’s how they make sense of the world and learn. Try leaning into the slower pace: talk about what you see, touch things you know to be safe. We’re fans of bubble breaks to change things up, and have been known to throw a bubble wand in the backpack.
Our youngest also loves wearing his very own pack (he has this Deuter Junior one) so he can collect all of the leaves, rocks, and acorns he can fit. While Leave No Trace is incredibly important to prevent littering and preserve environments, young children also benefit a lot from connecting to nature rather than seeing it as something fragile and apart from themselves. Obviously, this does not mean you should drop all the rules, pick flowers at nature preserves, or mess with fragile ecosystems. Please don’t do that. But if it’s allowed (check the rules for where you plan to go) no one will miss acorns and pebbles.
When you’re ready to get going again try making it a game, like tag or scavenger hunt that motivates movement. If you want some ideas for how to encourage a bit of forward motion and engagement, you can check out our favorite trail games for ideas. Also, if the trail you’re on allows for scooters or bicycles, there is nothing wrong with letting kiddo have that option. It’s still building strength but changes things up enough to feel like a break.
6: Bring More Snacks
Sure, you brought some snacks. But did you bring all of the snacks? Probably a sandwich while you’re at it.
Nothing is worse than a hungry, angry child.
Pro-tip: Consider some fruity sweet treats as rewards for making it to distance goals (like every 0.5-1 mile).
7: Something to Look Forward to
Plan extra time for something neat at the end. Playground on site? At the end. Nature center? Walk first. Splash pad or swimming area? Gold star goals. Having something fun to look forward to helps keep little humans motivated instead of using up all of their energy before you even hit the trail. It also helps to have something you’re walking towards, to go do something they want to do. “Let’s finish this 3 mile loop!” is not nearly as exciting as “Let’s make it to the playground!”
8: It’s the Process, Not the Destination. Cheesy, I know. But Actually.
I KNOW. Gross cliché. Honestly, though, it is the experience that matters most. Your kid will not remember how many miles you hiked this year. They will remember spending time with you, being silly, and having fun outside. Slow down, listen to their observations, and enjoy your time outside. If they’re totally done and you take a shortcut out, no big deal. If everyone is tired and needs a 20 minute snack break, sounds good. Try flipping it from “we’re doing xyz trail today” to “we’re going to xyz park today and we’ll see what happens.” I promise it will almost definitely feel calmer, even if you end up doing xyz trail after all.
What are your best trail tips with kids? Any game changing adjustments you’ve made?
Happy tails and joyful acorn collecting 🥾💚