Last updated on September 27th, 2021 at 05:16 pm
Nature can be a great teacher, and hiking regularly builds confidence, promotes imagination, and reduces stress for your little one (source). However, unlike hiking with adults, things will be a bit slower and possibly more goofy with children in tow. That’s why knowing just how far kids can hike will go a long way in fostering a fun family journey.
The distance children are able to hike will depend on their age. However, enticing them with engaging riddles or games can keep them moving. Above all, ensure they get a lot of breaks, water, and snacks to ensure their continued excitement.
Keep Your Expectations Low
The truth is, whether you like it or not, there are going to be some challenges while hiking with children, especially if it’s their first time. Keep your expectations for the hike realistic and consider any journey a success.
For instance, with their natural curiosity, children tend to get easily distracted. And, that’s a great thing! While meandering around or hiking at a slow pace, children can examine things, ask questions, and stay engaged with the trail. However, by doing so you’ll likely cover much less distance with kids in tow.
So, you’ll need to exercise patience and plan a short loop. Let them start small, and on future trips, they will gradually cover more distance.
Toddlers (1-3)
When hiking with a toddler, you will need a comfortable child carrier. Children of this age want to explore, but tire easily, so expect a lot of breaks to run around on their own two feet.
And, when their energy wanes, you’ll be able to comfortably continue the hike with them on your back.
RELATED: Best Kids Backpacks for Hiking
On average, a toddler can cover more than 2.5 miles in a day (source). However, on the trails any distance between 0.25-2 miles should be considered a win.
Preschooler-Second graders (4-7)
By the time you’re kids have made it to preschool through second grade, they’ll be well prepared for a short hike. And, they’re ready to do it on their own without being carried. However, plan for them to stop, explore, play, run ahead and interact with nature still.
This is a great age to begin teaching safety rules as they begin to stray from the pack. The cardinal rule to teach is to ‘always stay within your sight,’ and on the trail for that matter. Children of this age are ready to explore and are capable of walking 2-4 miles.
Big Kids (8+)
By age 8 and beyond, children begin to feel independent and confident on the trails. Additionally, you won’t need to babysit kids of this age anymore, hooray for you!
At this age, children can have a bit more freedom as long as they know a few safety rules. Start by teaching them about trail markers. To avoid getting lost or splitting the group, it is important to teach them to never hike past them if they speed ahead.
Bigger kids can hike a higher mileage depending on how heavy their pack is. For instance, they might get tired easily if day-long backpacking journeys. On day hikes, big kids can hike a decent clip, say 6-10 miles.
Make the Most of It
Hiking long distances with your kids can be very rewarding, and nothing beats making a lasting memory. In fact, making the most of every hike with your kids will continue their love of the outdoors and get them exited for future adventures. With just a few things in mind, you can keep the kiddos engaged with the trail.
Plan for Snack Stops
Stopping for snacks is a very essential part of hiking with children. By creating time for rest, children are able to refuel, relax, and enjoy to scenery. While it does not have to be a big meal, their favorite snacks will help boost morale.
RELATED: Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids
Additionally, taking water breaks along the trail and during lunch will be crucial for sustaining happy energy levels. Planning out 2-3 snack breaks per trip is fairly standard and will help create small goals during the journey.
Keep them Engaged
Hiking alone can be quite boring for kids if they’re left to only their own curiosity. Especially if you’re unable to answer all of their botany and ecology questions on the spot. However, to avoid a grumpy hike, many parents or caretakers weave games into their trail hike.
We find scavenger hunts alone are enough to get them moving and excited to trek further on.
However, some fan favorites are I Spy, Trail Bingo, or Trail ABCs.
Any of the above will keep them looking around and walking forward to find their next quarry.
Stick to their Pace
Pushing children hike faster is a quick way to kill the mood. And, a happy 500 feet is worth more than a grumpy mile. Kids like to do things at their pace, and you’ll all get more out of the experience by allowing them to to do so.
In short, try not to plan a hike around making it to a scenic destination or a landmark. These high-pressure hikes tend to backfire with children in the group. Take it slow and let them explore.
Gear them Up for Success
Additionally, proper backpacks and clothing to keep them cool will keep your kiddos mentally and physically prepared. For as far as younger kids are able to hike, everyday sneakers or hiking sandals are pretty reliable on the trails.
RELATED: How Much Can Kids Carry On A Hike
However, if they’re carrying a pack, this should be properly sized to their stature and be made of breathable materials. Also, keep them cool with caps to shade from the sun and comfortable athletic clothing.
Give Them Responsibility
Kids loves responsibilities, especially if they reflect what their parents are doing. Simply by allowing children to carry their own pack goes a long way. Load your packs together, teach them how to prepare and pack the necessities. When considering what your kiddos can carry, consult our other post about how much weight they can pack.
Additionally, grant them a task such as pack navigator or first aid carrier. Small jobs with titles work quite well with boosting morale along the way.
Get Out There and Explore
As we continually become more and more connected to technology, nature hikes can offer a break from the norm. Hiking with little ones is a fantastic opportunity to grow closer as a family as well as nature. By choosing interesting trails, learning together, and playing games you’ll be making memories one mile at a time. So, get out there and remember than every small small win can make a great victory.
Image Credit: Keri Logan|(source)|Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generice (CC BY-SA 2.0) — reduced file size and image