5 Tips to Make Hiking with Kids Fun and Educational

Hiking and immersing children in nature is a wonderful way to burn some energy and instill a deep appreciation for nature from an early age. Hiking teaches children many lessons and offers a world of opportunities for educational experiences. Whether you are looking to spend some fun time outside and unplugged with your kids or searching for educational outdoor experiences, hiking provides both.

Here are some tips for a successful hiking adventure with your kids:

1)  Choose an appropriate trail or area

You can hike almost anywhere, depending on the age of your children. Toddler aged children cannot maneuver through wooded, forest terrain so a paved path would be better and they may not last very long. School age children love to climb over rocks and play in the creek. Older kids that can handle trekking poles will love to have their own set and it could help them to keep up with the grown-ups. 

2)  Offer rewards along the way

Challenge your kids to reach a certain destination like the creek or the picnic area and offer a reward for reaching their goal.  You can play a game like “I spy” and challenge your kids to find plants and wildlife, keeping track in a notebook or smartphone app.

3) Document your hike

Take a camera and a journal and encourage your children to take pictures, explore and document their journey. 

4)  Let them carry their own gear

Kids love to feel helpful and giving them a small job or something to carry heightens their feeling of importance.  Let them carry a small backpack or just a few items like a whistle or some snacks. Older children can carry their own trekking poles or binoculars. 

5)  Teach kids to respect nature and the principles of Leave No Trace

It is never too early to teach the younger generation how to respect the land.  Leave No Trace™ offers educational materials for kids to help them learn the principles of respecting nature and wildlife.  Our children are the stewards of this great planet, teaching them to be considerate of others, leaving things where they found them and disposing of trash properly can be instilled at an early age. 

Cascade Mountain Tech Has Your Outdoor Gear

Cascade Mountain Tech believes in outdoor adventures at any age and encourages you to get your kids involved in nature early on.  We offer a wide variety of outdoor camping and hiking gear to make your outing a huge success.  With our roto-molded coolers, you can rest assured your snacks and beverages will be cold when you need them and not soggy from melted ice.  Our coolers keep ice for up to 10 days.  

Our trekking poles come with a variety of options in lightweight, ultra-lightweight, carbon fiber and 3k carbon fiber, adjustable with quick-lock options, cork handles for comfort and more.  We can help you determine the best size for your child and give you pointers on the best way to use your trekking poles. 

Take along some folding camp chairs in case your children need to stop for a few minutes.  Lightweight, foldable camping chairs can easily be packed in your carry bag and will give you a reprieve if you need to take a break with kids or if you find a great spot to sit and watch nature, birds or the beach. 

Cascade Mountain Tech offers high-quality outdoor camping and hiking gear made to last.  Our company was started by outdoor enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest, dedicated to offering outdoor adventure to everyone. Contact us with any questions and for more advice on camping and hiking with kids.