Trekking with kids is not an easy task at all but if you have entertaining activities that will capture their attention and you have gear for kids that suits them then you are good to go. Trekking with kids will be a memorable one especially if the whole family will be involved in the activity. Parents who are keen trekkers know the value of being outdoor.
When Do Kids Start Trekking
As young as possible, you can let your kids start doing trekking activities with you outdoors. Kids have higher stamina than adults, every day they are growing rapidly. Their lungs are getting larger by running the whole day but kids cannot keep their endless energy so in trekking they get tired easily.
It is time to expose the kids outdoors when they turned three. You can just take them on a walk-in nature or out of the city escapade. Not literally go to mountains and hills, you can let them experience walk in the park or near the pond. Give them also simple activities like flower seeing, animal feeding, or pebble collecting so that it will be memorable for them.
When kids turn 4 or 5 years old they get more adventurous, now you can let them explore more and challenge themselves by having an activity like from point A go-to point B and reward them with some food like biscuits or sandwiches when they reach their goal.
They will be ready on a day trek when they turn 6 or 7 years old, you can take them on a day trek or you can enroll them on a day hike. You can give them tasks on their trekking day like talk to the locals, collect dry leaves or dead woods for setting up a fire.
At age 8 or 9, they can now manage without their parents and join a group where they can have trekking with their members. They have much more confidence now to be independent without their parents since they already have done it before but in bigger tasks to do.
Trekking with Kids Checklist: Gear or Things Kids Should Bring
What are the essential things kids need to bring during trekking? As a parent, you definitely want to be prepared for this event so here are the lists of the things that kids need to bring during trekking:
- First Aid Kit
- Drinks and snacks
- Whistle for emergency
- Trekking poles for kids
- Jacket (for cold and warm weather – not so thick)
- Ice Cleats (If snowing)
- Clothes for them to change
- Extra pair of socks
- Hat
- More snacks and drinks
- Mosquito repellant lotion
- Sunscreen
Places that Kids Can Start Their Trekking Journey
Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails
After staying home for quite a while, kids would have enough energy to explore and have some fun, and Hiking would be the best option. It’s refreshing and relaxing also, it’s a great escape from all that’s currently happening in society.
With that said, Here, we are going to describe the five kid-friendly trails in the USA in this article. If you read this carefully, you can find the best hiking trail to hike with kids.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado:
If you want to find the USA’s tallest dunes, then you have to go to Colorado. The place situated on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There has a vast area of 30 square miles, including unique and superb geological circumstances. The height of the dune reaches more than 700 feet. It is a great hiking place for both kids and adults. You and your kid can efficiently run up and slide or roll down on the dunes. You will get sledding warm, soft sands in dry weather. On the other hand, dunes are perfect for exploring significantly at any time.
Sourdough Ridge Trail, Washington:
The Sourdough Ridge Trail is another kid-friendly trail situated in Washington. You will get fantastic views of the snowcapped peaks of western Washington. The path is perfect for getting the complete adventurous taste with the whole family. It has a one-mile loop, including gentle elevation gain. The trail passes through the flower-filled meadows. It is an ideal place for kids to introduce the beauty of the high country. If you want to enjoy the beauty graces trail, choose the summertime because it remains covered by snow most of the year.
Frozen Niagara Tour: Kentucky:
Hiking in cave trails is very much interesting for the kids. However, some caves are too much longer for them. Some other caves require climbing many stairs through a tight space. These are tough for the kids. Nevertheless, the Frozen Niagara Tour is short enough to hike easily for the kids. The trail is situated in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave. Its length is about a quarter-mile on a round trip and takes a bit more than one hour. Children can enjoy some spectacular cave sceneries, such as Crystal Lake, Frozen Niagara flowstone, Rainbow Dome, and Drapery. The cave is so much amazing that your kid may turn into a dedicated caver in the future.
Red Mountain Park, Alabama
You can get a unique hiking experience with your kid in Red Mountain Park, Alabama. It has a 12 miles long hiking and biking trail that goes through the ridges and valleys of it. You will also find the mineshafts (entry prohibited) to discover the mining history. The area also contains wildflowers, a stunning formation of rocks, and more scenarios. Your kid may also like the Dog Park, Rope Bridge, climbing tower, zip line, etc. of the trail.
Miccosukee Greenway Trail, Florida
However, this trail is a bit rustic, but it’s much natural, sandy, and contains crushed stones. The Canopy road is a historical significance to this area. Native Americans used this road very first, and then Spanish people used it to travel in this region. Its length is 6.5 miles (12 miles on a round trip. The trail also contains a massive hardwood and pine forest of 500 acres. It also includes occasional open field. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders like this trail very much. You can take your dogs in it. The Miccosukee Greenway Trail is just 5 miles away from Tallahassee.
Treks give kids valuable life lessons. This is an amazing way to engage kids and help them learn about things in a different way.