10 Tips for taking Non-Stressful Hikes with the Kids
If you have young kids, you might know the looks and the sighs you get when you suggest a family hike in the woods.
But a hike with your kids doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. The wilderness.org website has some great tips for the next time you want to get the kids out of the cabin.
Pick an interesting route that’s a reasonable distance, with plenty of natural features. Hiking with kids should be about exploring, after all. And if the kids feel less pressure to go a certain distance, giving them time to check out streams, large trees and waterfalls, they might just relax and have fun.
Some other helpful tips: Have the kids dress in layers. Pack a kit with supplies and energy snacks. Rotate the group’s leader, so each hiker gets to take a turn in setting the pace. And do whatever you can to keep things positive, even if some of the hikers start to complain.
Making a hike a regular part of your family routine when you are out in the woods will make it seem like less of a chore. And who knows, your kids might actually start to look forward to it!
PotlatchDeltic sells recreational properties with a wealth of trails, and many are near public land that offers even more hiking opportunities. Contact one of the experts in our Preferred Broker Network to get your own home base for summer fun!