How to Make Hiking with Kids Good for Family Togetherness

Have you ever seen photos of people hiking with their families in beautiful wild places and wondered how they know how to do that? It looks so dreamy (and I'm here to tell you that it is), but for those of us who didn't grow up hiking long trails in beautiful mountain places, it can seem overwhelming to think about getting our families into the hobby.

Where do I start? Is it even worth the effort? How much will it cost?

Those were the questions we had before we started hiking a few years ago, and then one day we found ourselves just doing it and we've never looked back. 

We went on our first family hike in 2014 on a hot summer day in Knoxville, Tennessee. We were stuck in town waiting for an Airstream repair, and the map said there was a waterfall nearby in the Great Smoky Mountains, so we set out to find it.

After an hour of trekking up a mountain trail in flip flops, we found the waterfall and then had to figure out how to get back down without falling. As we were descending, we started noticing that despite the summer heat, everyone else was wearing boots. 

Then we spent the next week with sore feet realizing why.

The next summer we found ourselves close to a beautiful overlook that was only accessible by hiking trail. This time we strapped on our running shoes and started up the trail, bringing a water bottle or two along as well. Half-way up the mountain, I started to realize that tight jeans weren't the best fit for hiking and we didn't have nearly enough water.

Needless to say, our first two family hikes were full of obstacles, but surprisingly, we still had so much fun. So we tried it again and again that second summer.

And just like that, we were hooked.

It's not every day you find something that everyone in your family enjoys doing together, so we had to figure out how to make it work. We started talking to other people who hike as a family activity. We read their articles online, asked them questions on Instagram, and scoped out their equipment in the campground.

What we found was a new favorite family activity that brings us closer together every single time. 

Now we try to hike 2-3 times a month, scouring the maps for the best trails wherever we're traveling, and I'm amazed at how it's brought us closer together. So I've compiled a list of 11 Ways to Happily Hit the Trail With Your Family for the First Time over on the blog. It covers everything from simplifying and planning a hike to which bags work best, what to take with you, and how to motivate the kids who don't want to go. Click here to get the full list. 

This weekend, my goal is to find a trail that's not soaking wet (we've had so much rain here in Maine!) and get up to the top of a mountain or two with my kiddos to celebrate Memorial Day.

Let’s go after those family adventures you’ve been dreaming of together!

What about you? What does hiking look like for your family?

Hop into the email group and let me know - I love hearing your stories, questions, mishaps, and successes.