Hiking with Kids
Hiking is a great way to introduce kids to nature and the outdoors. For many, it is the ideal family adventure. Whether you depart on a walking holiday or take a day hike as part of a cultural tour, hiking doesn't require much in the way of specialist gear. You can walk with children at any age; hiking with babies and toddlers is not as overwhelming as it sounds. And you can hike anywhere. Hiking with kids requires nothing more than planning, patience and flexibility.... Read More
There is much to be said for hiking with infants and tots. With an appropriate front or back child carrier, young children won't slow you down. And the vantage point from the kid carrier is about more than the view, it creates a unique opportunity for rider and walker to connect. But when hiking with small kids you will need to give forethought to the destination as well as the trail. Curious toddlers may need to get down and run every hour or two. Trails that require balance, such as loose rock or steep climbs, are inappropriate when carrying a child in a pack; their movement affects your stability. Weather conditions that ok for an adult may not be ideal for babies or even toddlers. Yet the biggest challenge to hiking with tykes is gear. You will be carrying significantly more than when you last hiked solo. What's more, 'hike it in hike it out' takes on a whole new meaning with diapers.
For many parents, the most challenging age to hike with kids is from 3 to 6. They are too heavy to carry and too small to walk long distances. But there are a few things you can do to make hiking at this age fun and extend the walk a little bit each time. Start slow. Select a trail you know they can complete and be sure it has lots of entertaining features - playground, picnic area, river, waterfall, wildlife - both along and at the end of the route. Get them excited about your hike. Talk to them about the trip the day or night before. Let them look on as you pack. Point out interesting things along the way (insects, animals, flowers and even rocks) and show them where you are walking on the map.
Hiking with school aged children and tweens is about purpose and reason. Get them involved in the trip and they will be engaged in the adventure. Scavenger hunts and cameras are a start but after a hike or two children this age are likely to require more. Teach them to read a map and use a compass and let them take turns leading the group. Seek their opinions on trip objectives, such as where and how far to hike each day. Assign each child a task from filling water bottles to researching wildlife on the trail. End each segment of your hike at a destination that is of interest to them and praise the kids on a hike well done.
The biggest challenge to hiking with teens may be you. Are you as fit as your 16 year old son?
There is much to be said for hiking with infants and tots. With an appropriate front or back child carrier, young children won't slow you down. And the vantage point from the kid carrier is about more than the view, it creates a unique opportunity for rider and walker to connect. But when hiking with small kids you will need to give forethought to the destination as well as the trail. Curious toddlers may need to get down and run every hour or two. Trails that require balance, such as loose rock or steep climbs, are inappropriate when carrying a child in a pack; their movement affects your stability. Weather conditions that ok for an adult may not be ideal for babies or even toddlers. Yet the biggest challenge to hiking with tykes is gear. You will be carrying significantly more than when you last hiked solo. What's more, 'hike it in hike it out' takes on a whole new meaning with diapers.
For many parents, the most challenging age to hike with kids is from 3 to 6. They are too heavy to carry and too small to walk long distances. But there are a few things you can do to make hiking at this age fun and extend the walk a little bit each time. Start slow. Select a trail you know they can complete and be sure it has lots of entertaining features - playground, picnic area, river, waterfall, wildlife - both along and at the end of the route. Get them excited about your hike. Talk to them about the trip the day or night before. Let them look on as you pack. Point out interesting things along the way (insects, animals, flowers and even rocks) and show them where you are walking on the map.
Hiking with school aged children and tweens is about purpose and reason. Get them involved in the trip and they will be engaged in the adventure. Scavenger hunts and cameras are a start but after a hike or two children this age are likely to require more. Teach them to read a map and use a compass and let them take turns leading the group. Seek their opinions on trip objectives, such as where and how far to hike each day. Assign each child a task from filling water bottles to researching wildlife on the trail. End each segment of your hike at a destination that is of interest to them and praise the kids on a hike well done.
The biggest challenge to hiking with teens may be you. Are you as fit as your 16 year old son?
Hiking tours, guides and outfitters
Red Sea Desert Adventures (Outfitter)
Travel Reviews
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Red Sea Desert Adventures, run by a Dutch geologist and Austrian adventurer, offers camel treks, hiking trips and jeep safaris in Egypt's Eastern Desert. Multi-day excursions, ranging in length from 3 to 10 days, depart from Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Day trips depart from Marsa Alam only. One multi-day jeep safari follows the roman caravan route from the Red Sea to the Nile ... Read More
Red Sea Desert Adventures, run by a Dutch geologist and Austrian adventurer, offers camel treks, hiking trips and jeep safaris in Egypt's Eastern Desert. Multi-day excursions, ranging in length from 3 to 10 days, depart from Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Day trips depart from Marsa Alam only. One multi-day jeep safari follows the roman caravan route from the Red Sea to the Nile and includes the Roman stone quarries and fortifications of Mons Porphyrites and Mons Claudianus. A popular day trip explores Wadi el Gemal National Park and, in addition to ancient mine works and Roman caravan stations, a trek in this southerly valley offers a chance to sight gazelles. While none of the desert excursions are strenuous they are geared to folks with an interest in archaeology and nature. Accommodation on all multi-day excursions is in simple tents. A reduced rate is available for children under 12. Custom tours are possible.
Zephyr Adventures (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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Zephyr Adventures offers organized family adventure vacations in the northern Rocky Mountains. One trips takes families with kids aged 5 and up to Greater Yellowstone and includes fun family activities such as rafting, wildlife watching and horseback riding. The family adventure in Glacier National Park welcomes families with kids 7 years of age and older. Rafting, kayaking and hiking are but a few of the fun family activities on this Montana fam ... Read More
Zephyr Adventures offers organized family adventure vacations in the northern Rocky Mountains. One trips takes families with kids aged 5 and up to Greater Yellowstone and includes fun family activities such as rafting, wildlife watching and horseback riding. The family adventure in Glacier National Park welcomes families with kids 7 years of age and older. Rafting, kayaking and hiking are but a few of the fun family activities on this Montana family vacation.
Children and Geyser
Yellowstone Association (Non-profit Organization)
Travel Reviews
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Yellowstone Association, a non-profit organization, offers learning adventures in America's first National Park. The association's 3 and 4-day lodge and learning programs, the equivalent of summer camp, are guided by experienced naturalists and include a wide range of activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, painting and photography. Children 8 years of age and up ... Read More
Yellowstone Association, a non-profit organization, offers learning adventures in America's first National Park. The association's 3 and 4-day lodge and learning programs, the equivalent of summer camp, are guided by experienced naturalists and include a wide range of activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, painting and photography. Children 8 years of age and up are welcome on all family programs. Kids must be at least 12 years of age to participate in all other lodge and learning programs. One-day wildlife safaris (no minimum age) can be booked through Gardiner, MT based Flying Pig Adventure Company. Yellowstone Association also offers private one-day tours.
Child with Scope, Yellowstone National Park
Alfredo De Simone
Moab Adventure Center (Adventure Travel Company)
Moab Adventure Center is all about playing hard. But that doesn't mean novice adventurers should shy away from their excursions. The guides at Moab Adventure Center understand limits. What's more, they work hard to ensure each trip is memorable and carefree for both adults and kids. Families with kids aged 5 and up can bike sliprock behind Moab, ride horses in Castle Cr ... Read More
Moab Adventure Center is all about playing hard. But that doesn't mean novice adventurers should shy away from their excursions. The guides at Moab Adventure Center understand limits. What's more, they work hard to ensure each trip is memorable and carefree for both adults and kids. Families with kids aged 5 and up can bike sliprock behind Moab, ride horses in Castle Creek and raft the Colorado River. Families with kids 10 years of age and older can try their hand at canyoneering. Those with kids aged 12 and up can raft Westwater Canyon. Families with children of all ages can hoop and holler on a hummer tour. While there is no minimum age on guided Fiery Furnace hikes in Arches National Park all participants should be physically fit.
Colorado River Rafting
Alfredo De Simone
Wilderness Scotland (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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3A St Vincent Street
Edinburgh, Lothian
EH3 6SW Scotland, UK
+44 (0) 131 6256635
Wilderness Scotland offers guided and self-guided active holidays in the Scottish Highlands. Family adventure trips are multisport and geared to children aged 9 to 15. Individual family adventures are tailored to your family's ability. The minimum age on all other guided trips is 16.
Rock climbing
Grand Canyon Field Institute (Non-profit Organization)
Travel Reviews
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One Tonto Street
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
USA
+1 928 638 2485
+1 866 471 4435
The Grand Canyon Field Institute offers learning adventures - day hikes and two day hiking trips - for families interested in making the most of their trip to the Grand Canyon. All hikes begin and end on the South Rim. The minimum age and difficulty of the hike vary.
Kids at the Grand Canyon
Angel's Gate Tours (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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112 Kletha Trail
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
USA
+1 928 856 1698
+1 800 957 4557
Angel's Gate Tours offers full day hikes for families interested in exploring the Grand Canyon on foot. All hikes begin and end on the South Rim. Pick-up is available from Flagstaff, Williams and Tusayan hotels. The minimum age and difficulty of the hike vary.
Absolute Scotland (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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27/10 Maxwell Street
Edinburgh
EH10 5HT Scotland, UK
+44 (0) 131 4472570
Absolute Scotland, formerly Escape2Scotland, a long distance walking specialist, arranges self-guided walking holidays on 4 of Scotland's most noted tracks, the West Highland, Great Glen, Speyside and Rob Roy Ways. Given the length of the walks, a minimum age of 12 is rigorously imposed.
Scotland
Classic Journeys (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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7855 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 220
La Jolla, CA 92037
USA
+ 1 800 200 3887
+1 858 454 5004
Classic Journeys, a U.S. based adventure travel company, offers multigenerational walking holidays in just about every corner of the world. Family journeys are designed with kids aged 7-13 in mind and the kids-only activities are not limited to walking.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Go Ireland (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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Go Ireland offers self-guided and guided walking trips in County Kerry in Southwest Ireland. While the recommended minimum age is 12, hardy kids aged 9 and up have successively completed both the Kerry Gems and multi-sport Hike and Bike holidays.
Trusted Adventures (Adventure Travel Company)
Travel Reviews
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If you haven't picked an adventure holiday check out Trusted Adventures. An alliance of seven leading adventure travel companies, this company makes finding and booking a family adventure easy. What's more, Trusted Adventures knows which trips work best for families and can make recommendations based on experience. Their extensive list of family trips includes African s ... Read More
If you haven't picked an adventure holiday check out Trusted Adventures. An alliance of seven leading adventure travel companies, this company makes finding and booking a family adventure easy. What's more, Trusted Adventures knows which trips work best for families and can make recommendations based on experience. Their extensive list of family trips includes African safaris as well as hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, wildlife viewing, fishing, eco-tours and cultural holidays on five continents. The minimum age varies with each trip as does the type and class of accommodation.