Tips for Hiking with Preschoolers

by Kelly Pfeiffer

Preschoolers experience both nature and fitness together while hiking in the great outdoors. Keep safety, preschool attention spans and reasonable expectations in mind when hiking with preschoolers.

Start with short hikes for preschoolers and lengthen hikes as preschoolers grow and gain stamina. Plan ahead for a successful hike with preschoolers by considering the following tips.

Hike Short Trails

Preschool legs are shorter than adults so preschoolers usually work twice as hard as adults do while hiking. Take plenty of breaks and allow preschoolers to explore nature on the trail. Most typical preschoolers ages 3 and up are able to hike a one mile on a non-strenuous trail (without steep hills), but ability levels range widely for preschoolers. Be prepared to take your time and hike at a leisurely pace with preschoolers.

Get Trail Details Ahead of Time

Each hiking trail is unique. The details of each trail will determine if the trail is one that is safe for preschoolers to hike. Only hike with preschoolers on trails that have no sharp drop-offs or cliffs. Call the park information center and ask if the trail is safe for preschoolers and if there are any cliffs or sharp drop offs. It’s part of a Park Ranger’s job to answer questions about the park and trails. Most park staff are happy to answer questions from the public. Ask as many questions as you need to make an informed decision about trail safety for preschoolers.

Take Plenty of Water

Keep preschoolers hydrated with bottles of water. A fanny pack with a water bottle carrier allows you to carry water and keep your hands free. It’s best to hike with your hands empty especially when hiking with preschoolers. Also available are kid sized fanny packs with water bottle carrier compartments. Preschoolers enjoy having their own child-sized hiking tools.

Shoe Considerations for Preschoolers

Sandals, open back clogs and flip-flops are not safe hiking shoes for preschoolers. Instead outfit preschoolers with regular tennis shoes or other flexible soled shoes with closed toes and backs.

Hands-Free Hiking for Preschoolers

Safety is the issue for hiking with preschoolers. Make sure preschoolers have their hands free while hiking. Preschoolers use their hands and arms for balance while hiking. If a preschooler trips on a tree root or rock, hands may be needed to brace their fall. If preschoolers want to carry binoculars or other hiking toys, have preschoolers carry items in a small backpack or fanny pack.

Hiking Lessons Preschoolers Can Learn

Always Carry Water – If adults provide a way for each family member to carry their own water, preschoolers can learn lessons about the importance of taking water on a hike.

Stay with the Group – Preschoolers are slow learners when it comes to staying with the group. They don’t have the brain development to understand how easy it is to get lost. This is why it’s best to hike with at least two adults when hiking with preschoolers. Many parents tell preschoolers, “Stay where I can see you.” A better instruction is “Stay where you can see me.” Because the lesson of staying together is difficult for preschoolers, keep adult eyes on preschoolers at all times.

Hug a Tree - Before hiking with preschoolers, practice what to do if they can't find you - teach preschoolers to hug a tree, yell for help and wait to be found. Consider adding a plastic whistle to your preschooler's fanny pack or small hiking back pack. Teach preschoolers how to hug the tree and blow the whistle for help.

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