How to get kids excited about hiking

Looking over photos from a hike is a great way to keep kids
interested in day hiking. Photo courtesy of gracey / Photoree.

Once you’ve completed your first hike, pat yourself on the back. You’ve done a lot of work but have taken the first step into a larger world for both you and your children.

To keep kid’s enthusiasm charged, “review” the hike in kid-friendly ways. While you really can’t do this with infants, most toddlers and older kids will enjoy it. One post-hike game/activity you might consider is Review the map, pointing out the trail you took and where various fun things occurred or interesting sights were seen: “Here’s where we forded the stream”; “Here’s where we saw the eagles”; “Here’s where we skimmed rocks into the pond.”

Such activities make a memorable end to a day hike. To keep kid’s enthusiasm charged, “review” the hike in kid-friendly ways. While you really can’t do this with infants, most toddlers and older kids will enjoy it.

Learn about more than a hundred other hiking diversions for kids in Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities.

'Hikes: Games' receives positive review on Amazon.com

Amazon.com has run its first review about my latest book, Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities. “Hikes and Tykes: Games and Activities is a creative and well-rounded guide to help the little ones and teens get excited, and stay interested in a fun filled day of hiking in the great outdoors,” wrote Laura “Shamrock19” of New York. “I truly enjoyed the variety of games and clever interactive tools that will get kids energized about their new adventure in the woods. I highly recommend this book to anyone planning a trip with toddlers, school-aged children and even those hard to please teens.” The book is available at Amazon.com.

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