Make your child hike's new assistant planner

Children will be more interested in a day hike if they can
help plan it.

Most children will find fun the idea of a hike and explore. Still, kids can be fickle creatures. Their lack of knowledge and experience in the world often makes them cautious about suggested activities.

And in today’s video game-oriented, 300-cable channel, Internet-connected world, some kids may be reluctant – or even afraid – to get outside.

You want to sway kids to at least entertain the notion that a hike might be fun. If they hit the trail thinking a long stretch of boredom awaits them, they’ll make the experience miserable for both themselves and for you.

To entice kids, let them help plan the hike. They can assist in selecting the destination, tracing out the trail on a map, choosing which snacks to bring, and more.

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