Family outings are a great way to spend quality time together and what is a better way than to spend the day on the walking trail. When starting out the day, most children are quite excited but somewhere along the way they may tend to get bored and tired. Being properly prepared will limit the complaints often heard from children when they reach this state.

When taking children on the hike, it is important to plan the walking trail wisely. Do not expect children to be able to do an all day trek. Flexibility is the rule when the family is on an outing together. Plan the trip according to the youngest one’s ability. Know that expected accomplishments may not be met and be fine with that. Knowing what to pack is the key to an all-around day of fun. Each child should have their own backpack filled with snacks, drinks, a flashlight, notebook and pencil, bug spray, and a camera.

Dress the children properly so they are not complaining of being too hot or too cold. It may be wise to pack an extra sweater for evenings and an extra pair of socks. Make sure they are wearing appropriate hiking shoes. Have a first aid kit on hand for any unsuspected injuries. Make sure it contains items such as Tylenol, sunscreen, and allergy medicine.

Let the children know that they have boundaries and they are not allowed to go off the path or venture out on their own. Give them a safety whistle just in case they do get lost. Keep them safe by informing them of the basic rules of being in the wilderness such as not drinking water from streams and staying away from the wild animals.

Plan activities to help keep the child interested on the walk. Have the child search the ground for animal tracks and try to identify which animal it belongs to. Have a cheat sheet on hand to help the child along in his identification. Another activity is to have a scavenger hunt for the children. This will keep them occupied and it is a great lesson in observing the world around them.

Have fun by searching for Big Foot. Try looking for clues that might prove he was in the area. The family does not have to believe in Big Foot but it makes for a fun day. Or, try teaching the children how to use a compass or GPS. This is a valuable skill that may one day prevent them from becoming lost while hiking.