Whether you grew up hiking or you’re brand new to it, introducing your kids to hiking requires particular considerations. Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors as a family and instill a sense of wonder in your kids. However, taking your kids hiking for the first time is not always as easy as it seems. 

For ideas on where to go hiking, check out our previous article for the top 9 hiking trails near New Orleans. 

Kids are finicky, and their opinion of the activity will largely be based on their first experience with it. If they have fun on their first hike, they might be open to trying it again. If they’re scared or miserable on their first hike, they might decide that they hate hiking. When it comes to outdoor activities, first impressions really do matter.

As the parent, it’s up to you to prepare beforehand so you’ll be ready for everything the trail might throw at you. Creating a fun family day takes a lot more planning than heading out for fun on your own. Here are a few suggestions for creating a smooth introduction to hiking.  

Tips for introducing your kid to hiking

Research the trail

Before bringing your family out for a day hike, research the trail you’ll be hiking. Make sure you know things like:

• Trail length

• Trail difficulty (Ex: elevation, mud level, well-maintained, etc.)

• Where to park

• Hazards (Ex: moving water, snakes, etc.)

• Bathrooms

It’s always a good idea to research a trail before heading out on it, but it’s truly necessary when you’re introducing your kid to hiking. Even something as simple as knowing how far you’ll have to walk from your car to the trailhead will set you up for success. 

Pack what you need

Bring everything that you might need for both you and your kid on the hike. If your kid is old enough, have them carry some of their own things in a backpack. However, you need to be ready to take on that additional weight somewhere along the way. Kids tend to be really excited about having their own things and carrying stuff too, but they get tired quickly. 

Be sure to pack:

• Food/snacks

• Water

• Appropriate clothing

• First aid kit

If you’re entirely new to hiking, check out our previous articles to learn what you should bring on a day hike and how to stay warm in humid cold weather. 

Plan for a short hike

Even if you’re used to hiking several miles at a time, plan for a short hike. Introducing your kid to hiking rarely goes as smoothly as you’d like. They’re going to get tired, hungry, and bored pretty quickly. By planning a short hike, you will give your kid a quick intro to hiking but keep it quick enough to stay exciting. Remember, one of your main goals for the hike should be to keep your kid interested and having fun so that they’ll be open to doing it again. 

Practice beforehand

If your kid is still young, practice hiking with them beforehand. This will help them get used to the idea of hiking and make it less scary. For little kids, the idea of going on a hike in the woods can be a little intimidating. Introducing your kid to hiking incrementally will give them more confidence and will help them have fun with the family. 

You can practice hiking by doing things like:

• Going on a walk in the neighborhood and wearing your backpacks

• Wearing your hiking clothes during a neighborhood walk to get used to them

• Looking at pictures of the trail online and talking about what the trail will look like

• Drawing pictures of people hiking and having fun

Going hiking together is a great way to create a fun family day with your kids. Enjoying the outing together makes memories that will last long into the future. By planning ahead and introducing your kid to hiking smoothly, you’ll ensure that you’re making good memories!

If you are in the New Orleans area and would like to learn more about local hiking trails, check out our Hump Day Hiking series. Each video highlights a local hiking trail and includes pictures of the trail along with trail-specific information. If you would like more information about specific trails or about creating fun family days outdoors, you can connect with us via email, Facebook, or Instagram.