This post is sponsored by Sun-Maid, but all opinions are my own.
Now that the weather has finally cooled down and is enjoyable again, we’ve been getting outside a lot. Since we live in a city surrounded by mountains, one of our favorite things to do on weekends is head into the mountains for a nature hike!
We all really enjoy getting some fresh air, and it’s nice to spend time together as a family- unplugged and just connected to each other. We chat about what’s going on at school, what they’re excited about, and anything else that might be on their minds.
We typically have pleasant experiences when we go hiking as a family, but when we first started going a few years ago we had to learn a few key rules for hiking with kids. Below are the lessons we learned {some of them the hard way}- read them before you take your kids hiking so you can have great family hikes from Day 1!
5 Tips for Great Nature Hikes with Kids
1. Make sure you pick an appropriate trail. Not all hiking trails are created equal. Some may be too rugged for your kiddo, depending on their age and skill level. If your kids are especially young {especially if you’ll be baby wearing at any point} or you’re just getting started, I recommend starting with a trail that’s less of a hike and more of a scenic walk through nature. Even if they could handle something a little rougher, it’s a great way to ease them into hiking without overwhelming them.
You can usually do a Google search to find appropriate trails for kids at your destination- just be sure to do this before you leave the house because you may not have internet when you get there.
2. Keep the length of the trail in mind, too. Even if a trail is as flat as a pancake and in the shade the whole way, keep in mind that they have much smaller legs and have to take a lot more steps to keep up with us. Pace yourself so that they aren’t having to run to keep up with you, and make sure that if they need a break you allow them to have one until they’re ready to move on. I don’t recommend trying to hike on a day where you have somewhere to be at a certain time- it can add extra stress to everyone. Just let your kiddo set the pace and enjoy your time in nature.
3. Share nature with them. Keep them interested by pointing out the things around you. Mention different animal tracks and ask if they can guess what kind of animal left the tracks there. {Maybe even look up the answer on your phone or take a picture so you can look it up at home later!} Point out special plants or trees and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
4. Play games. You can keep kids entertained by playing games as you go. Hiking is not the time for a game of Tag or Hide and Seek, but you can play games like “I Spy”, 20 Questions, or even Vegetable, Animal, or Mineral- games you can play while walking.
5. Bring lots of water- and lots of snacks! Even on a cool day in the shade, it’s important to stay hydrated- and even more so if it’s sunny or hot. And just like anywhere else you may take your kids; it’ll be a LOT easier on everyone if you bring snacks!
One of my family’s favorite snacks for hiking is Sun-Maid® Sour Raisin Snacks. They are the perfect fuel for our adventures because they are delicious, whole-fruit snacks that my kids actually want to eat. {And I do, too!} They come in Strawberry and Watermelon and my kids just can’t get enough of them!
I totally approve of these little boxes of yum, and I know that since they’re whole fruits with no added sugar and no synthetic colors, they can help fuel them without making them sluggish after. They are gluten-free and non-GMO too, so they’re great for just about everyone! Trust me- you’re going to want to bring enough for the whole family.
You can find Sun-Maid® Sour Raisin Snacks at your local Walmart- be sure to stock up for your next family nature hike!
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