11 Ways to Happily Hit the Trail With Your Family for the First Time
If you’ve ever woken up on a gorgeous day and wished you could get outside and stay there until the sun goes down, you're not alone.
Before having kids, I could make that happen pretty easily with a hammock, a good book, and an icy drink, but with kiddos running around for the past 13 years,
I’ve had to get a little creative.
So now when the sun rises on a beautiful day and I desperately want to be outside for all of it, I try to get my whole crew out on a trail or two - it keeps us occupied outdoors for hours and provides plenty of space for fun, relaxation, reflection, connection, and play. (And it’s much easier than trying to keep my crew occupied indoors all day.)
We literally have so much fun while we’re there (most of the time at least), andwhen we’re finished, we can come home, grab a book, and plop down into ourhammocks with that icy drink.
There’sloads of research revealing that outdoor time is good for the whole family, butif you’ve never been on a hiking trail and you’re considering heading out forthe first time with your kids, you may have all sorts of worries.
Where do I even start?
What do I need to bring?
What if we get lost?
The good news is there are heaps of other parents who have been getting their kids on trails for years, and they have some wisdom to share. Here are a few things we’ve learned along the way to help you get out there and keep your joy and sanity intact.
#1 Simplify
No matter if this is your first hike or your fifty-second, you do NOT need all the equipment. I love going on hikes with friends who have all the equipment, but honestly, so many of the fancy gadgets are just a waste of space for a simple day hike. My family tends to lean towards the just grab a bottle of water and get out the door extreme, and this has proven to be best for us more times than not.
Do you have comfortable walking shoes?
Does everyone have empty bladders and full bellies?
Do you have water for everyone appropriate for the trail’s length and a little stash of tissues for emergencies?
Then, you’re ready to get out there. Seriously, just go. Getting everyone dressed and out the door is the hardest part, so if you can throw a couple of things in your bag and get everyone out the door, you’re over half-way there.
#2 Plan well
(You do need a few things)
When my kids were little, we went for a lot of walks around our neighborhood before we started hiking in state and national parks. We walked the same route every day for years, so when we started traveling and found new trails to explore, we thought we were ready. We weren’t. Neighborhood walks are definitely good things, but we just did not realize that hiking trails can be quite different. On our first hike in the Smoky Mountains, we all wore flip flops and spent the next few days with sore feet. On our second hike, I wore tight jeans and the outcome was not a good one. (See our feature in Best Self Magazine for the details.) So, while you don’t need loads of specialized equipment, you do need a few things.
Comfortable walking shoes (seriously, you do need these) – I started out hiking in tennis shoes, and that worked perfectly on most trails, but now that we do a lot of mountain and muddy hiking, we all need waterproof hiking boots.
Comfortable clothes – Think yoga pants, joggers, etc. You do NOT want to wear a dress or tight jeans – trust me!
Know where you’re going and let someone know where you’ll be. – This one is super important.
Map or GPS - If it’s a short trail that’s well-marked with plenty of people around, you may not need a map, but if it’s longer or more isolated, you definitely need some type of map or access to GPS on your phone, and be sure to take a photo of the trail map at the trailhead just for good measure.)
Water - You’ll need 24 ounces+ of water per person – no matter the weather, or maybe a little less for smaller kids.
Snacks (especially if you have kids younger than age 10) – We like to take pretzels, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, granola, nuts, and fruits.
Supplies for smaller kids - For example, if you’re a nursing mama, be sure you take a blanket to cover up with or whatever you need to nurse on the go - You know that baby is going to get hungry the very moment you’re starting the trail. Or if you have small kiddos who don’t like to walk a long way, you may need a sling or carrier – you definitely don’t want to be doing shoulder or arm carrying.
Comfy bag – You need a bag for water, snacks, etc. that won’t tear your arm off or make your shoulder ache (Don’t make this too tricky - you don’t have to spend $100 on a hiking pack or anything. I recommend the 2-strap bookbag type, a fanny pack, or a small satchel as long as you can pack light. You can always buy a proper pack if your family falls in love with hiking later – here’s our favorite one.)
Park Pass (maybe) - Depending on the hike you choose, you may need a park pass, which may cost around $5 for state parks or more for national ones. (For state parks, you may be able to check out a pass at your local library if you’re hiking in your home state, and for national parks, I highly recommend the annual pass – it’s totally worth it.)
Safety Rules and Supplies - If you have a large tribe of children, you may need to establish some safety rules and a few pep-talks as well. If the trail is located in a place where cell service is spotty, you may need to download the online map (this is also where that photo of the map at the trailhead can come in handy). A small bag of tissues and bandaids isn’t a bad idea either, and I always throw in a tiny bag of baby wipes for the random emergency. Otherwise, you’re good to go!
#3 Start small
A few months ago, I mentioned to my niece that I wanted to take her on her first hike. She was instantly excited. When the weekend arrived and we headed out the door, she was a ball of energy and excitement, and when we got to the trailhead, she had a million questions.
It was a small, simple trail at a very low-key state park, and for my boys and me, it was kind of underwhelming, but according to my niece, it was the best day of her life. She said she absolutely loved the “very big mountain” we were hiking, even though it was just a little hill, and she asked me to take a picture of her with “the biggest tree she had ever seen” over and over again. Her excitement went on and on, and in the end, she didn’t want to leave. She loved every single minute, and it was seriously nothing fancy.
It certainly wasn’t Acadia National Park or even one of the more popular state parks in our area. Actually, we had only driven about 45 minutes down the road from her house. But to her, it was everything, and she often tells me how much she can’t wait for the next adventure. I tell you this story as a testament to just how fun a simple adventure can be for kids no matter how small of a trail it is.
Another benefit to starting small is that it lowers the risk of burnout. Yes, burnout -you know, that thing that happens when you’re super excited about something, soyou make a big deal and start with something really big, only to get exhausted and abandon the effort just a few days or weeks later? Hiking could definitely become a burnout risk if you’re not careful, so it’s best to start small. You can always go bigger later.
#4 Ask people where they like to go
I travel full-time with my family. That means we live in an Airstream camper on a camping trip that has lasted over 5 years so far, so more days than not throughout the year we find ourselves in a town or part of the country we have never been to before.
Now that we’re more experienced hikers, we want to go on the very best hikes and trails around, but after searching trail apps, we are often not sure which one to choose. So, we strike up a conversation with a local, and voila! We know where to go in just about 5 minutes.
This trick also works for someone who knows nothing about hiking and is in need of suggestions for first-timers. We also love to take part in guided ranger hikes at state and national parks. In fact, those guided hikes have been some of the most fun we’ve had on hiking trails.
For those of you out there who might get hives thinking about walking up to a stranger out of the blue, or who might just be embarrassed that you don’t know where the trails are around your hometown, feel free to head out to an outdoors store and eavesdrop to see which trails people are talking about, or hop on the AllTrails app to see the ratings for trails in your area. You can also enter“trailhead” into Google Maps and see what pops up, and you can visit the HikeIt Baby Family Trail Guide too.
Chances are, though, you have at least one crunchy nature-loving person in your lifewho would love nothing more than to steer you in the direction of a good trail,so ask them – it will totally make his or her day!
#5 Take the kids who want to go
(and bribe the ones who don't)
Some kids would rather read or draw or play video games than go on a hike with their parents, but aside from medical issues, I have never met a kid who did not have a good time once they got on the trail.
Even my bookworm kid will slap those shoes on in 2 seconds flat if a friend comes to the door and asks him to go play outside, and he’s learned to love our days on the trail together. That doesn’t mean your child will tell you she’s having a good time, and it also does not mean he won’t whine when you tell him it’s time to get out there. It just means that she might just love it deep inside. I believe there is something inside every kid that just wants to be wild and free out in the big outdoors.
So, sometimes when I get the itch to hike, I ask if anyone wants to go with me, and other times I wake up and make the announcement that we are all hiking today.In the early days, those announcements were met with some resistance, so I packed gummies and dark chocolates to eat on the trail. Now they just ask how long the trail is and when we’ll be back. No more gummies or chocolates required.(I think that means they secretly love it.)
#6 Refuse to compete
Refuse to compete with others is one of the rules I try to follow in every area of my life, and as long as I'm doing well in that area, things run pretty smoothly. When I lose the path and start comparing and competing right and left, however, things go awry in all sorts of ways.
This especially applies when I compare my own attempts to get my family outdoors more with someone else’s. If you have friends in real life or on social media who are super hikers, do not feel like you are trying to top them or imitate them just because you want to get your family on a hiking trail to try out the sport. Actually, do not feel like you need to compete with them in any way.
Competition is a sure way to kill any joy that might result from an adventure, so throw it out right away. A helpful hint is to remember that you don’t have to tell anyone or post anything about your little adventure on social media unless you want to.
You totally have the right to make it your own little secret.
You also do not have to be the best at every single thing – you can start with baby steps, and you can even keep taking baby steps forever if that’s the kind of hiking you want to do.
Getting your family on a hiking trail is not a competition. You will not win a medal for how long you’re there or how often you get out. You will also not win a medal for how fast you complete the trail or how many miles you do in a month, a year or a lifetime. Just getting those kids out into nature is the point and it’s worth the effort. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Richard Lou’s Last Child in the Woods and Scott Sampson’s Raising a Wild Child. Their stories and compelling evidence might just convince you otherwise.
#7 Invest the time, energy, and attention
Ican’’t tell you how many parents I talk to every year who tell me they really wish they could spend more time with their kids but they’re just too busy. My heart breaks for them because I’ve felt the same way more than I care to admit.
One night a few years ago I had a stack of books on my bed, my laptop was open, and I was concentrating hard, hunched over my laptop working on something I felt was really important. I didn’t even hear a little person creep up to the side of my bed, but I noticed him out of the corner of my eye and asked him if he needed something. Right then, his words stopped me in my tracks. “Do you have space for me?” he said.
And in that moment, I made a decision. I closed my laptop, shoved the books to the side, pulled him in tight, and said, “I will always have room for you. You don’t even have to ask.”
A wise friend once told me that spending time with my children is never spent –it is always invested, because for every second we invest pouring into them our time, energy, and attention, we will reap the rewards many times over in all sorts of ways.
So, when you’re out on the trail with your kiddos, make sure you’re really there.
Be present.
Focus on giving your full time, energy, and attention to your crew for those few minutes or hours. Push everything else away and really be there.
#8 Make eye contact and listen
Somedays I will tuck myself into bed late at night and realize that I can remember one moment of eye contact with my husband or kids from the day I just finished.
Many times, I will be completely wrapped up in something and someone wants to tell me about their video game or a book they just finished, and instead of stopping what I’m doing to listen, I give them a brief look and start nodding while they talk, not really hearing a word they say.
Sometimes, I’m so worried about something that I can’t hear what they’re telling me even if I try. I think that is completely normal and something all parents and grandparents have to work through.
Having our families out on the trail gives us an opportunity to really make eye contact and listen when they talk.
There are no computers or to-do lists on the trail, no dishes to wash or dinners to cook, no phone calls or social media messages either if you’re doing it right, so you have the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation, look into their eyes and really listen.
My suggestion is to take that opportunity. You’ll be so glad you did.
#9 Enjoy
Sometimes as a mom I’m tempted to feel accomplished when I get everyone out the door and to the place we’re heading, and I forget to actually enjoy the adventure. Taking joy in an adventure is a choice, so don’t forget to make it yours, no matter what happens while you’re out there.
Yesterday we took our boys for a simple little sand dune hike on the Oregon coast. They quickly ran off to play on the gigantic dune while the hubby and I strolled out to the cape to look for whales. It had been cold and raining for almost a week straight, so this hike was just what my soul had been longing for.
Not15 minutes into the hike, I found myself slipping and sliding on a patch of mud with ruined clothes and a hurt pride. In that moment, I certainly could have chosen not to enjoy our outing. I was already mad about something (a grad school thing that felt like a bee in my bonnet), which is probably why I fell in the first place, and I could have spiraled into a dark mood and completely been justified thanks to the muddy fall.
But I didn’t. I laughed instead.
then I tried to clean my hands up so that I could stay out with the rest of the family. When that didn’t work, I pushed my chin into the air and walked back home alone to take a mid-day shower while the rest of my family finished the hike by themselves and I took some time to work on that bee that was trying to get out of my bonnet.
When they all arrived back home, we played a board game together and I told the kids how funny I must have looked with all that mud on my pants walking back home. Itwasn’’t the first time I have fallen on the trail (actually, I’m the one who falls most often), so they weren’t phased by my story.
I hope that when they’re older they will remember my laughter and recognize it as a choice to enjoy our time together, but for now, I’m pretty sure they just think I’m a crazy mom.
#10 Choose words wisely
Lately, I've been noticing the power of self-fulfilling prophecies. Someone says, “I don’t exercise” or “I’m not a reader” and as it turns out, they don’t, and they aren’t.
On the contrary, someone starts saying, “I’m a writer” or “I like to hike” and before they know it, they’re writing and hiking more.
Just the simple act of watching what we say can be the difference in day after day becoming someone who says “I don’t like computers” and therefore ending up at the mercy of whoever can help when a technology problem arises year after year, or being someone who says “I’m still learning computers” and ending up becoming someone who can help others.
Whenever you finish your first hike on a trail of any length, the words you use to describe the experience are probably the most important part of the whole experience.
No matter how the day went, if mom says, “We sure had a fun day together” or “I love how we overcame our challenges today” or “I’m so glad we did that,” the impact will be profound.
Equally profound will be the effect if mom says, “I don’t see how people do this for fun” or “Yikes – that was the worst” or “I hate being outside.”
Even if the hard moments outnumbered the easy ones five to one and it turned out to be the opposite of a fun family adventure, the way you frame it will determine how your kids remember the day, so choose them wisely.
#11 Start planning the next hike right away
To seal the deal, talk to your family on the way home about where you’d like to go next.
What did everyone love about today’s adventure? How could you get more of that in the near future? What were the most challenging parts? How could you minimize those events next time?
It drives my husband crazy how I immediately start planning our next adventure before the one we’re on is even over, but I just can’t help myself.
I want to let my people know that the hours we spend together on the trail are the ones I live for, and I want them to know I’m looking forward to doing it again.
As you can see, these ideas for getting your family on the trail for the first time are coming from my heart, and they aren’t coming from someone who has it all together.
Hopefully, these11 tips are just the little nudge you’ve been needing to get your crew out there. I promise you won’t regret it.
How did you first learn to get your family out on the trails together?
We would love to hear about it! Come join the discussion in the email group.