Hiking with littles: when the journey is the destination
Expand your expectations. Bring more snacks.
Hiking with three littles is certainly an adventure in itself. You thought we were here for the view at the top? Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way—and the way is through intentional planning of 1) activities and 2) more snacks than you would think.
The journey may take a bit longer, but we’ve found that when you can shift your mindset from the view at the top being the goal to seeing all those little footsteps along the way as a measure of a successful hike, everyone has more fun…and you’re more likely to make it all the way out and back.
So, here’s what I’ve found works for our family (most of the time):
1. Everyone Is Down for an Adventure
We’re not going on a hike. We’re going on an adventure to find the magical stone that will unlock a portal to…
You get the idea.
Give the hike a mission. Find a secret waterfall. Search for signs of unicorns or trolls. Hunt for the perfect walking stick. Somehow, little legs seem to have a lot more energy when there’s an adventure waiting up ahead.
2. Spray Bottles
Man, is this a game changer.
Not only does it keep the whole family cool while your children generously spray you down, but kiddos are natural tenders of nature. If they seem to be lagging a bit, point to a plant up ahead and tell them it needs water.
Watch them race to the plant in need!
3. DIY Nature Catcher
Before departure, use some twine to make a frame out of sticks, then wrap packing tape around it, sticky side out. Now they have the perfect place to stick their treasures as they walk—and a beautiful piece of nature art for their play space when you get home.
No twine? No problem.
Find a good-sized stick and wrap packing tape around it, sticky side out. Now you have a nature wand!
4. Build Fairy Houses…or Take a Nap
Remember, we’re changing our mindset.
Repeat after me:
The journey is the destination…the journey is the destination.
When they inevitably plop themselves down and demand to be “ALL DONE!”—insert the “all done” sign language that my three-year-old still does, which makes my heart melt—don’t fight it.
Sometimes, simply offering them a break without added pressure to keep going is all they need before they decide, all on their own, to march forward again.
Sometimes that break looks like sitting down to build a magical place for the fairies to rest when they get tired, too. Other times, we build a little nest or find a nice, flat rock to lie on while we all pretend to sleep.
It’s miraculous how restorative a one-minute “nap” can be.
5. For Your Older Kiddos: The ABC Greeting Game
Not only does this keep our son motivated to continue mile after mile, but he’ll rush ahead, eager to find the next people coming down the trail.
Each person in your group takes a turn greeting the lucky souls who pass you, making sure your greeting begins with the next letter of the alphabet.
Aloha!
Beautiful day, huh?
Can you believe this view?
For those socially anxious kiddos (and dads, in our case), it’s also great, low-stakes practice. We all have a lot of fun with it.
6. Let Them Swim, Get Dirty, Be a Kid
When you bring some body wipes, a mini quick-dry towel, a dry bag for wet clothes, and an extra change of clothes, suddenly it doesn’t feel quite as cringy watching them jump in the creek or roll around in the dirt.
And it’s all the more motivation for you to jump right in, too!
7. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks
Monet prides herself on packing her own snack bag, and she is very aware of what’s in there throughout the hike.
Her backpack is light enough for her to carry and small enough for me to stuff into my own bag when she needs a break. She absolutely loves having some control over when she can stop and grab some energy grub.
Dad often packs a super yummy lunch for all of us, too, which keeps everyone pretty excited to eat gourmet-style each time we venture out into the wilderness with him.
Keep Getting Out There
Practice makes room for more practice.
Not every hike is going to be the best experience in the world. But keep getting back out there, and the payoff is huge: a magical journey and an unforgettable destination, experienced together.
Coming soon: Our Favorite Family-Friendly Hikes
