I often get approached by parents who want to get their kids to start kiking, but they’re not quite sure how to get started. I always have a few words of advice for them. First off, kids need a destination. They will not hike just for the exercise. Plan hikes that include historical landmarks, waterfalls, or ponds. Parks with nature centers are also usually pretty exciting for the kids. Start with mellow, easy walks, and work your way up to the more challenging hikes. Kids can get turned-off pretty quickly, so you really need to put the time in to make sure the trails are appropriate for their level. Bring lots of snacks and water. Kids like to take lots of breaks. Use this tie to point out the wildlife and surrounding nature.
Every child is a bit different, but some of my favorite hikes for 5 and up are:
- The Deer Hollow Farm Train in Racho San Antonio;
- The Waterfall Loop in Uvas Canyon County Park;
- The Grant Lake to McKerry Lake loop;
- The Bear Gulch Cave loop in the Pinnacles National Monument; and
- Wilder Ranch.
There are so many great places, I could go on and on. Just start simple and try to build up an excitement level for your kids for the outdoors.
Tags: Bay area hiking, getting started, hiking with children, local hikes, the right hike