Hiking with Toddlers
Hiking has always been a hobby of mine. From my college days in Boulder, CO to hot and humid summer mornings in Virginia, connecting with nature remains a passion of mind. So lately, I’ve been working on introducing T to the trails. As with anything you do with a toddler, it takes time to get it down. Honestly, it takes time before it actually becomes enjoyable, but here are the three things I keep in mind, which have helped lead us to success.
Patience: Incredible patience is required because it’s unlikely that your hike will go smoothly, and certainly will not be as quick as you may be used to. Toddlers are innately curious, and there is so much to explore out there! I try to keep in mind just how beautiful his curiosity is. Even though my adult brain wants to power through, allowing him the space and time to do things like watch a beetle for 10 minutes is going to make the experience more enjoyable for us all. If you flip your perspective, you may find it just as awe-inspiring.
Realistic Expectations: Start with short, relatively easy hikes, and build on that based on your own kiddo’s interest and ability. Our first hike was about 5 minutes, and covered almost no ground at all. It ended in frustration as T broke down and I struggled to manage my disappointment in our failed activity. But we’ve slowly worked our way up to 1.5 hour hikes, and he will walk the majority of that! We’ve also started doing more hilly trails that require a little more physical effort, even some small rock scramble areas. I still choose trails that I know I’d be comfortable carrying him on, just in case he has a day in which he isn’t as into it.
Be Prepared: All moms know that being prepared is the key to pretty much any activity with kids, especially toddlers. I do not like hiking with a lot of baggage, but I always have these items:
Snacks (things that are easy to eat on the go and will give him a lot of energy - usually a peanut butter sandwich or granola bar)
Plenty of water
A hat
Sunscreen and bug spray
A change of clothes that I keep in the car for afterward
If you want to start bringing your young kids out, but feel overwhelmed by it or expect the effort to be greater than the experience itself, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible. Each hike will get better and better. Just keep perspective, and be realistic.
