Need some fresh ideas for hiking with kids?
PS: if you haven’t already, check out Part 1 of my “Kids Don’t Hate Hiking” series on my feed.
Here are 10 more ways to turn a hike into a game:
1) Nature scavenger hunt
2) Coolest stick competition
3) Find something heart-shaped
4) Wildlife safari
5) Geocaching mission
6) Rock skipping challenge
7) Little Free Library treasure hunt
8) Find something older than grandma
9) Find or build the tiniest fairy house
10) Guess the animal tracks
I’ve learned that kids rarely remember how many miles they hiked, but they definitely remember the adventures.
What’s one trail game your family loves?
Drop it below so we can all steal…I mean borrow…ideas from each other :)
When it comes to hiking with kids, turning the experience into a playful adventure is key to keeping their enthusiasm alive. One personal favorite is the nature scavenger hunt, where children get to explore the surroundings actively by looking for specific items like different types of leaves, colorful birds, or interesting rocks. This not only entertains but also educates them about the natural world. Another game that always gets a lot of giggles is the coolest stick competition. It’s simple yet thrilling: kids find their best stick along the trail and then compare them, sharing stories about where they imagined it came from or what magical powers it has. This sparks creativity and can lead to imaginative play long after the hike. Adding in a geocaching mission transformed our usual hikes into treasure hunts. Using a GPS or smartphone to find hidden containers along the trail adds an extra layer of excitement and purpose. It encourages teamwork and can inspire kids to learn more about navigation and maps. For families near communities with Little Free Libraries, combining a hike with a treasure hunt for these charming book exchanges can be magical. Kids love discovering them, and it’s a great way to bring reading into outdoor fun. Sometimes, mixing challenges like guessing animal tracks or building fairy houses brings a magical element to the hike, making the forest feel like a secret kingdom. It also pushes kids to observe details closely and think critically about the environment around them. The best part about all these games is that, as the article notes, children rarely remember how far they walked, but they hold onto the joy and adventure of the experience. By blending physical activity with imaginative play, parents can foster a lifelong love for hiking and nature in their kids. If you’re looking to add even more fun, consider turning the hike into a story-building session where each game you play reveals a new chapter of an outdoor tale created by your kids. This not only boosts their storytelling skills but also makes every hike unique and memorable.
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