Hiking with kids can be quite a challenge. Kids are always high on energy and low on control. Managing the effervescent energy of the kids and channeling it in the right direction is important for successful hikes with the young ones. As an avid hiker, I have been on many hikes with my buddies. I wanted to introduce my adorable twins Sam and John to the world of hiking, which led me to the decision of hiking with them. My wife and I were the only two adults on the trip, with the sole responsibility of managing them throughout our adventure.

When kids have to part ways with their gadgets and have only each other for company, they can create a lot of nuisance. The trick is to keep them busy at all times, be it with sports and games or with work. I am not much of a disciplinarian, so I had to task my wife with the unnerving job of keeping the kids in order. But as we spent more time on our hike and the day turned into night, I learnt so much more about the kids. My experience taught me a lot and I feel it is my duty to share it with all the doting parents who would like to go on a hike with their kids.

Feed them frequently

Kids are extremely active and use up all their energy while running, jumping, climbing trees, and performing other high cardio activities. I was saved from an ambush of hungry kids by supplying them with snacks at regular intervals. In order to keep the kids happy at all times, I advise that you take along a lot of snacks on the trip and do not let them starve. Unlike us adults, kid’s high metabolic rate allows their body to burn all the food they have eaten and gets them hungry frequently.

My snack suggestions for the kids:

  • Dairy Food Items: string cheese, yogurt tubes, cubed cheese
  • Fruits: apples, bananas, strawberries, grapes, tangerines, blueberries
  • Nuts: cashews, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, trail mix
  • Veggies: carrots, celery, sliced cucumber, sliced bell peppers
  • Crackers: pretzels, granola bars

Keep them Motivated

As adults, we require more rest than kids to recuperate our tired bodies. Kids do not like to stay idle for long and may lose motivation. The best way to keep their spirits up is by organizing competitions between them. You can ask them to help you with the construction of the camp and provide incentives in the form of a prize. Manipulating kids’ competitive nature for your own benefits is not a bad idea, especially if it gets the job done (Don’t let them get a sniff of your intentions for obtaining the desired results).

Have a Lot of Fun

Once the kids acclimatize to the conditions, it is easy to deal with them. As they start following your instructions, you can reward them with fun and games.

Play Board Games: In the world of smartphones, many classic board games have fallen by the wayside. Time in the wild provides a great opportunity to turn back the clock and play some old favorites like Chinese checkers, Chess, Snakes & Ladders, and other famous board games.

Treasure Hunt: You can also think about organizing a treasure hunt. Hide an item in the wild and provide clues for the kids. Let them use their own ingenuity and figure out where you have hidden the item.

Bring Along Your Kids' Friends: Kids enjoy the company of other kids. Taking friends of your kids along on a hike is a great way to keep them happy on the trail.