Your Kid’s First Hike

What an exciting time: your kids’ very first hike! We want you to have an amazing time filled with adventure, fun, and lots of laughter. Before going on your hike it is important that you properly prepare. We want you to maximize the fun for your kids and help you be prepared so you can have a safe trip.

General Safety Tips

When hiking, it is important that you always stay together. Children tend to fall and can inadvertently wander off or into unsafe situations. As a parent, you must be on high alert and aware of everything going on around you. There may be bugs, spiders, snakes, and unhappy animals that do not want to be disturbed. Things can and will go wrong, but it is how you handle the situation that will determine the outcome.

It is important that you brief your children on safety tips before setting out on your hike. Make sure you have told them to stay close, watch where they put their feet and to not go near any creature that could cause them harm. Slowly but surely, your kids will be able to be more aware on hikes and look after themselves. Until that point, you must be looking after them consistently.

What to Bring and Wear

The most important thing about a hike, next to safety tips, is what you bring. With young kids, don’t plan on just bringing a cell phone and a water bottle. When hiking with children it is important that you are ready for anything. Bring equipment in case there is a weather change, snacks, lots of water, and a first aid kit.

Stay Together

When choosing the hike that is best for your family, keep in mind that small children won’t be able to hike Mt. Everest their first time out. Their first hike is all about introducing them to nature and getting them to appreciate and understand the world around them. Plan for frequent stops, because kids love to pick up objects and ask questions. Planning for these stops will also help them stay energized and engaged.

Make it Fun!

In order to keep your kids’ attention and make this a pleasant experience, you must find ways to keep it fun. You can tell stories along the way, create fun games that will get your kids excited about the next step of the journey, and organize a scavenger hunt.

Our Mossy Oak team is filled with outdoor enthusiasts that love to get everyone involved in loving the outdoors. Join us in our mission to better our planet one small act at a time.