It has been a long, exhausting few months all across the country and many of us are struggling with how to adapt to this “new normal.” There are many activities that are off the list for now, but there are still plenty of activities to do as a family. Here is an article I wrote last summer… but have added some tips that are appropriate for COVID-19 times. So grab your hiking boots and head out for a hike!
Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to go on a hike. To avoid a hike filled with whining, it helps to plan a bit. Check out these 20 Tips for Hiking with Kids:
HIKING STICK
There’s something magical about naming a stick as your “hiking stick.” Suddenly it has powers to make kids walk farther. Works for me! It’s the first thing we search for while walking. Make sure the stick is not too short or they will be slouching over for the whole walk.
SNACKS
When kids are tired and starting to get a bit cranky, a snack may be the cure. Bring easy-to-eat snacks such as trail mix, M&M’s, or granola bars. Pass on anything that will be too messy or require much cleaning up. (Bring snacks from home so you do not need to stop at stores.)
WATER
Water is key for hiking. Although it may be tempting to skimp on it because it’s so heavy, it’s the one thing that could make or break your walk. No one wants to walk when they are thirsty. Thirsty = whining…lots of it! (Again, bring it from home to avoid unnecessary stops.)
SHOES
Always choose a shoe that offers good support. Hiking boots are best, but a good pair of sneakers also work. Make sure shoes are well broken in to avoid blisters. No open-toed shoes! I like to keep a pair of flip-flops in the car so when they are done with the hike they can get comfortable.
BACKPACK
A light daypack is all your kiddos need and they probably don’t even need that. I usually end up carrying most of our supplies and the girls just use their packs to carry treasures they find along the way. (Um, no I won’t carry that five-pound rock even though it’s shaped like a heart!) 
CLOTHING
You may vary from being hot and cold so layers are always a safe bet. Also, dress your kiddos in bright colors so you can see them through the trees when they are ahead of you.
BUG SPRAY/SUNSCREEN/HAT
Nature is full of little buggies that will drive you crazy if you forget bug spray. No one wants mosquito bites or worse…ticks. Also, if you are going to be in sections that are sunny, sunscreen and a hat may be a good idea.
TALK ABOUT SAFETY
You don’t have to be the Safety Police, but it’s a good idea to go over some simple rules before you get on the trail. I like to do it in the car when I still have their full attention. I just remind them of simple safety rules such as:
Do not go too close to ledges.
No running on the trail.
Be aware of roots and loose rocks.
Stay on the trail.
Stay with our group.
RESEARCH THE TRAIL
Research, research, research. You want to make sure your hike is family friendly. How long will it take to do a complete loop? What is the elevation ? I like to choose trails that have a memorable piece of nature somewhere in it like a waterfall, lake, or a great view.
STOP FOR PHOTO OPPS
There are so many cute pictures you can take while hiking. Don’t wait until you get to the peak to take them. I like to give my kids a small camera and let them take pictures of things they’d like to remember. They usually get some great shots.
LET YOUR KIDS SET THE PACE
This isn’t about running a Boot Camp workout. It’s about getting out into nature, showing your kids that exercise can be fun, and learning a life skill. Stay at their pace and they will last much longer. Remember their legs are much shorter than yours.
TRAIL LEADER
Having kids rotate as Trail Leader lets everyone play a key role in the group. The Trail Leader sets the pace but also makes sure everyone is doing ok on the walk. 
FIRST AID KIT
A small kit is all you’ll need. Mine is the size of a deck of cards. Hopefully all you will need is a Band-Aid and maybe some ointment. I know if my girls get a bloody scrape, they can’t focus on anything until they get it taken care of. It’s easy to slap a Band-Aid on it and move on.
ANTICIPATE THE WORST
(Here’s where my ridiculous paranoia comes out. I’ve watched too many Lifetime movies.) Bring a charged cell phone with you and always tell someone exactly where you will be hiking that day. Let them know where you will park and exactly which trail you will be on.
GAMES
Bring along a nature scavenger hunt, or have kids do a selfie scavenger hunt. (Take a picture of yourself next to a really unusual tree.) Try playing a game of I-Spy with the whole family. 
WEATHER
Check the forecast and avoid hiking on days that have a chance of thunderstorms.
TRAIL BUDDY
Always stay together as a group, but it’s also a good idea to assign Trail Buddies if there are lots of kids hiking together. Trail Buddies make sure they always have an eye on each other.
LEAVE NO TRACE
It’s a great lesson to teach kids about nature. Everything you bring in you must bring out. I bring a plastic bag to put all our trash in. Also, if they see some litter on the trail, encourage them to pick it up.
BE FLEXIBLE
Did you plan to see a great view at the end of your hike but the kids are too tired and cranky to get there? No problem. Change your plan and don’t make a big deal about not getting to the top. Encourage your kids to go as far as they can but don’t ruin the day by forcing them to continue if they’re done. A hike with kids takes much longer than one without.
MAKE IT FUN
Encourage them and give them lots of praise. Make sure everyone is having a fun time. It’s really about giving them a lifelong love of hiking.
A few more tips during COVID-19…
Even if you’ve hiked the trail before, do some research about it. Are all trails open? Are there parking restrictions? Do they have rules about out-of-state visitors?
Looking for a good website? Try… https://thetrek.co/
Avoid popular trails that may have lots of hikers on them. Take this time to find ones that are less known.
Avoid small towns as they may not be prepared to handle an outbreak.
Make sure you carry a mask with you at all times, even if you’re not wearing it.
Don’t chat with people on the trail if you are not wearing a mask.
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