10 Lessons From a Decade of Hiking with Kids

In the time before kids we'd spend many a weekend going for 10-14KM hikes with our friends. The spring and summer that I was pregnant with twins, that went on the back burner. Hikes with babies and toddlers were quite a bit shorter, timed for naps, and involved a baby strapped to each of our chests.

When the kids reached three to four we graduated to 2-3KM hikes without carriers, and by the time they were seven or eight we graduated to 3-5KM but never got anywhere near our pre-kid hiking adventures.

This past year we've turned a corner. We have been hiking more during COVID and our once upon a time 10 degree minimum temperature rule has been thrown out. We bought thermal socks and underwear and sucked it up. Hiking has been a good release and fun way to stay active. The kids rarely complain about a hike until we hit six or seven KM and I'm loving all of it.

While I'm happy to push all of us to the next level, longer, pre-kid level hikes, I understand that I need to balance this want to keep everyone happy.  Hiking with the family for years now has been a good reminder about making this activity an experience that all of us can enjoy, and I'm trying to stay good to my word, even though I'd love to start to tackle the long, long, hikes again. 

Hiking at Lynn Canyon in BC circa 2016

10 Important Lessons from a Decade of Hiking with Kids

1. Stop and let them climb that stump, tree, or rock
Hikes aren't about making the best time, they're about enjoying nature.

2. Teach your kids to keep their eyes to the ground, particularly on hikes with lots of rocks and tree roots
This will prevent tripping and allow them to find more wild life. We've seen plenty of frogs, turtles, snakes, slugs, and caterpillars thanks to little eyes on the path.

3. It's all about the snacks

Our kids love nuts, jerky, apple sauce tubes, crackers, and favourite fruit to nosh on when we stop at look outs. Stopping for snacks in 10 minutes can be a good motivator to get tired kids further along the trail.  Remember it's also about the water. There is nothing worse than running out of water, particularly when a hike lasts longer than you expect. Kids also backwash and no adult wants to have to drink that water, so bring your own bottles.

The early days of baby hiking

4. Play it looks like & get Counting

Rocks, trees, clouds, can all look like other things. Embrace the pareidolia and see who can find a face or an animal in something we come across on one of our adventure. We also like to count on our hikes. Sometimes it's types of birds or flowers we see, other times it's the total number of creatures we see. During some hikes we take bets and see who is closest. 

5. Practice Calculated Risk Taking

Let your kids climb like billy goats, jump over a crack (supervised) and teach them how to stay back from overlooks and obeying the signs around them. They get so proud when they climb down a giant rock or make it across a pond and I get proud of us grown ups for trying it too.

6. Nothing Beats a Post Hike Nap

I learned this before I had the kids. But I love the physical exhaustion naps that come after a long hike. I enjoy mine at home, while the kids usually have theirs in the car on the way home.

Molly being a bridge on a bridge at Rattray Marsh Last Year

7. Distraction is King

When it's buggy, you make a wrong turn, or it's rainy and miserable, you need to keep them distracted. Sometimes we tell stories, other times we play the alphabet game (Name Disney characters whose name starts with A,B,C, D until you make it all the way through the alphabet).

8. Let Them Share Their Enthusiasm

If you're on a hike and see something cool, tell other hikers as you pass them. They'll keep their eyes out and it helps build on the camraderie of the the hiking community.

9. Get Them Involved in the Planning Process
Find out which hikes your kids like best and why and plan more that meet that criteria, whether it's hikes with birds, waterfalls or caves. Let them know what excites you too.

10. Stop & Smell the Roses & They'll learn to do the Same

Last summer we went on a hike where there was an awesome waterfall. I wanted to swim in the bottom and no one else was interested, but I went ahead and did it anyway. The kids still talk about that time mom swam under a waterfall. This way when they want to stay at an outlook a few minutes longer or try something the rest of us don't, they won't let it stop them.

Happy Trails everyone! Remember, take only photos, leave only footsteps!

Floridays

One of our warm weather go-tos is hiking with the children.  Since we were on vacation in Florida last week we decided that it was a great chance to stretch their billy goat legs.  After all, if Major League Baseball players were called for spring training last week, why shouldn't we?

Here are some photos, thoughts and memories I wanted to share from our hike in Myakka River State Park, in Sarasota Florida. I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to inspire and explore in your own city or Myakka River State Park if you ever find yourself in Sarasota.

We chose a fairly short, easy, looped trail that featured a tree-top canopy walkway that overlooks the park.  The hike total is only 1.28KMS (or .80 of a mile for the non-metric folks).  The cost to get into the park was $6 US per carload and well worth it.

Miss Molly enjoys hiking the path.

When we finally made it to the top of the look-out, Jack got really angry because he wanted to do the Hot Dog Dance from Mickey Mouse Club House (an ongoing theme in his toddler hood) and lay down on the wooded platform.  Other hikers giggled as Chris commented that no one was stopping him from dancing and this may in fact be the most random tantrum that the boy has ever pitched.  Jackie was strapped into the hiking carrier moments later.

 The way down from the lookout.

Jack and Grandpa on the canopy bridge.

Molly by the pond where there were gators.  No gators were enticed while we were at the park (to my knowledge).

The park also has a picnic area, gift shop and food available for purchase.  My suggestion is to pack your own lunch as the food is at a premium price.  The park also has boat tours for those who are interested.  After Jack's "performance" on the bus at African Lion Safari last summer we thought we'd skip it.

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Wicked Garden

One of my favourite things to do, especially in summer and fall, is hiking.  We've hit a phase where the kids are too heavy, independent and rambunctious for a longer stretch in our hiking carriers and not quite endurance focused enough to tread along side us for a lengthy or complicated trail.  

We've been seeking out nearby parks and trails that are toddler friendly to help better prepare them (ahem) for "the roads ahead" and hopefully provide them with an appreciation of something that we can do together as a family.

Our first hike was at James Gardens in Toronto.  Most Torontonians know James Gardens as the wedding photo destination in the west end because of it's pretty flowers and convenient location.  James Gardens will always hold a special place in my heart because it's where I launched down a giant hill in roller blades in the 1990's, unaware that the breaks had been removed, when I fell and slid into a giant mud puddle.  Did I mention I was wearing overalls?  As I stomped through the grounds of the gardens (in bare feet because I wasn't smart enough to bring shoes) looking like Swamp Thing, I was way too busy blaming the events on my high school boyfriend to really enjoy James Gardens.

Below are some things that make James Gardens a great destination for hiking training for kids, general site seeing and working on biking skills before you hit the main streets with a novice cyclist.   (James Gardens is TTC accessible from Royal York station. Take the Royal York bus 73 to Royal York Road, walk east on Edenbridge Road.)  I'd say our trip was a success!

Plenty of ducks for feeding/ freaking out your children when they come a little too close for comfort.

Scenic paths and bridges.

Open fields and many gravel paths beside the bike paths to ensure that little hikers don't get in the way of cyclists or out of control roller bladers.

Great picnic spots.  We managed to "hike" for about half an hour before it was time to jump on mom and dads shoulders.

A giant turtle sculpture for climbing.

To read about a baby wearing hiking adventure click here

Any suggestions for short/easy kid friendly trails around the city would be greatly appreciated as we build our hiking and nature appreciation skills.

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