Best hiking tips for kids

If you are going on a hiking holiday with kids this summer you may want to read our best hiking tips for kids …

Prepare your family for their hiking adventure

Preparation, like most things in life, is the secret to a successful hiking holiday. Research the destination and area you will be walking in by searching local maps, park websites, guidebooks and libraries for information about the area.

Involving your children in the research can be a good way to get them involved and rouse up excitement for their holiday – If they need it that is!

Once you have researched the area you can chose the most suitable trails for children.

Also check out how close the nearest restaurants and shops are, as there is nothing worse than arriving at a destination with hungry children only to find there are no shops in a 20 miles radius!

Bring the right gear

If you are hiking with children remember to take clothes and accessories to cater for all types of weather. Remember to pack sunhats and sun cream, as well as rain macs and wellies. Taking insect repellent and cream is also advisable if you are spending long hours in the outdoors with children.

Take plenty of water

Children become dehydrated more quickly than adults, even if they are not doing any walking and are being carried in a backpack! Make sure you take plenty of water on your daily hiking expeditions, and stop regularly to give your children sips of water.

Start early in the day

The temperatures are obviously lower early in the morning and as a result it is advantageous to start your day’s hiking earlier rather than later. Try to avoid the harsh midday heat, particularly if you are hiking in a hot country. Try and develop some kind of routine on your holiday as children, generally, thrive on routine. Get up at a similar time each day, have a hearty breakfast and then start hiking, before that sun gets too high!

Let your child take the lead

Children love being given responsibility and therefore letting them ‘take the lead’ on the trial will make them feel important and could help to avoid the ‘Dad I want to be carried’ scenario! Obviously do not let your child get too far in front as it is easy to become lost on many hiking trials.

Make walking fun

To keep morale up it is important to make your hiking ventures fun. Play games with your children as you walk, such as ‘I Spy’ and name the wildlife. Talk to your children about the local history and wildlife; let your holiday be an educational one as well as a fun one!