Hiking activity for kids: Who Lives Here?

What lives in this burrow? Photo courtesy
of Illinois DNR.

Generally, exploring and discovery is enough for kids, but sometimes even they can grow bored with that and become restless. Remember that they naturally have shorter attention spans than adults.

Fortunately, there are lots of tried and true activities you can do on the trail that’ll keep kids from getting bored. Among them is “Who Lives Here?”

When seeing various nests and holes in the ground and trees, try to guess what kind of animal might live there. Hang around long enough, and you may see a lizard, bug or furry critter scamper into or out of it. Don’t place hands or sticks into holes, though, to force out the animal. Besides disturbing the animals, this can be very dangerous, leading to bites.

Materials: None needed.

Ages: 5 and up.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.