Kids Friendly Hiking Tips

Note: When you add a new tip, please make sure that they go to correct section by looking at existing sections.

Tips

Know your hike and your terrain.
Plan for the journey by researching the area on the web. Simply type the park's name into a search engine, and see what you find.
Chances are, the park's site will offer loads of online information about their best season, activities, trails, and even numbers for contacting the Park Rangers.
Some of these sites will even offer printable trail maps online. Be sure to talk to a local Ranger prior to the hike, and ask for information regarding safety and environmental issues.
The Park Ranger knows the area well enough to steer you clear of danger and towards the best sites on the trail.

Whether you are hiking the Everglades, or the back yard, you must know your environment.
Any time humans interact with nature, there is a chance of injury.
It's best to know which plants and animals in the area should be avoided.
It's also important to be very aware of weather. Research the weather patterns in your park before the hike. This way you can avoid the camping nightmare of waking up in a flooded tent.
Although swimming may be on the adventure agenda, most hikers find they prefer to do it during the day and with prior planning.

The first hike of the season should be a short excursion.
Those who are just learning about surviving a night in the wilderness should not be very far from their basecamp (home, car, campsite).
Until a hiker completes their first aid training, they should never venture very far from proper medical attention.
It's also good precaution to camp close enough to home for a quick sprint away from a rummaging raccoon or a spooky snake, or even a midnight trip to the restroom.

We all have visions of drinking from the crystal clear mountain brook babbling over the rocks after a hot hike, but beware of the water! Although it appears safe and clean to drink, most natural water sources have huge amounts of bacteria that can make brave adventurers very sick.
Be sure to bring your own water or water filter for drinking. Although it may be fine to wash in the stream, a smart hiker will only drink purified water.

The best medicine for adventurers is that of prevention. By avoiding injury in the wild, everyone has fun and no one ends up in the hospital instead of swimming in the lake.
But hikers can't plan for every instance, and sometimes there are accidents.
Know what to do in case of an emergency. By using first aid, a quick-thinking kid can save a friend's life.
First aid training teaches ways to overcome stress in an emergency and react with the courage of a hero.
It also gives the knowledge of how to deal with specific types of injuries.

Be smart about what you pack.
A beginning hiker generally becomes exhausted carrying a sack full of trail munchies, games, a portable CD player, three sweaters, and a video camera.
Although pictures are nice, consider carrying a disposable camera for a more enjoyable hike.
For a general idea of things that should live in your backpack, we've put together a selection of our Favorite Hiking Things.

Complete common sense is sometimes lost in the excitement of the adventure.
A mesmerized hiker may be staring at local wildlife, and trip over a tree root causing serious injury.
This doesn't mean adventure walkers should stare only at the trail while hiking, but rather that they should be constantly aware of their surroundings.
Keep an eye on the trail well in front of where you are walking, and always consider the path before bounding forward, or you may find yourself lost in the briar patch with Brer Rabbit.
Stop moving long enough to take pictures of wildlife or research in a field guide.
This allows all members of the group to grab a breath and enjoy the scenery before hitting the trail again.

Always be aware how far you may be from proper medical attention. Ask your Ranger for this information.
They will be able to direct you to the nearest hospital or clinic prior to an accident. Knowing this information in advance could save someone's life.

Never under any circumstances venture into the woods by yourself.
Outdoor adventures are fun for the family, but hiking is only a group sport.
The chances of becoming lost, sustaining injury, or losing supplies is much higher when alone, making the sport extemely dangerous.
Always go with a group, tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return, and check in at the ranger station so they are aware of your location.

Though it is good to dress in layers, choose which layers, and stick with them for a time.
Otherwise, you will exhaust yourself and try the patience of the group you are with.
It's generally better to be a little cool than too hot, but don't change unless you are really getting uncomfortable.

Put the best hikers in front.
This works great in a group of differing ages! With the fast hikers in the front, they have a tendency to spread out too much.
Then someone small at the back gets exhausted running to keep up.
If you do divide into faster and slower groups, the one ahead should never get too far ahead and should stop and let the others catch up on a regular basis.

Make sure that kids are drinking water.
In very hot areas dehydration is especially dangerous.
Avoid sunburn.
Wear a head and arm coverings in sunny or high altitude areas, and use sunblock.

Encourage kids not to exhaust themselves early in a hike. Sometimes little ones run at the beginning, run out of energy and have to be carried.
Remember, it is not the destination that teaches, but the journey itself!