HIKE

BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, NATIONAL PARKS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Kids
- May 11, 2023
Often the best outdoor destinations require traveling off the beaten path. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in the remote upper peninsula of Michigan, but this scenic park is worth the time and effort it takes to travel there. One of only four lakeshores protected by the U.S. National Park Service, Pictured Rocks offers so much beauty for the whole family to enjoy. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares why your family should consider a visit to this amazing Michigan destination. If hiking to gushing waterfalls, exploring sugar sand beaches, or enjoying turquoise blue water sounds like a great trip, read on to learn the best tips and spots to visit while Exploring the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Kids.

Best times to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Since Pictured Rocks is located in far northern Michigan, the weather can vary widely between seasons. Winter brings snow and ice, and travel can be limited. Spring can still bring plenty of snow, but late spring can offer a chance to visit before the summer travelers arrive.

Summer and fall are typically the best times for families. While Lake Superior never gets warm, hot summer days can allow kids a chance to splash along the lakeshore. More guided activities, shops, and restaurants are open during the summer tourist season. The downside to summer is that you may have to deal with biting flies.

Fall is also a good choice as it brings mild temperatures and stunning fall colors. We visited in mid-September and found the weather still warm enough but without any of the biting flies that summer brings. Fall color typically peaks in early to mid-October, and the park can be more crowded during peak color weekends.

Tips to plan a visit to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

1. Plan ahead for lodging

The two main areas to stay when visiting Pictured Rocks are Munising and Grand Marais. Munising is located on the west side of the park and offers more lodging and restaurant choices. This is also where boat tours of Pictured Rocks depart.

On the east side of the park, you can find tiny and charming Grand Marais. Both of these towns offer hotels, cabins, or campground options. There are also several campgrounds located within the National Park boundaries. As the area is more remote, the lodging choices are few, and it is best to book ahead of time.

2. Bring a map

Cell service can be spotty in this entire area. It is best to download offline maps onto your phone, use a GPS device, or bring a paper map. The park visitor centers and the town visitor center in Munising are great spots to pick up maps of the area.

3. Pack food and a cooler

There is no food sold inside the park boundaries, with the nearest restaurants being in Munising and Grand Marais. Bring along a cooler for a scenic picnic lunch and a large snack supply to keep the kids fueled up for exploring.

4. Be prepared for conditions

The weather can be variable this far north. Packing extra clothing and lots of layers is always a good idea, as even the average summer high temperature is only 74 degrees. With the park focused along the Lake Superior shoreline, kids are bound to get wet, sandy, or muddy. Be prepared with extra clothes or shoes for the beach.

5. Pack insect repellant

Late spring and summer can bring swarms of biting black flies and mosquitos. I strongly recommend bringing along plenty of bug spray. Ticks can be present in wooded and grassy areas, but are less prevalent in this region. On hot and humid days with a south wind, stable flies may be present. Unfortunately, insect repellant does not work against these biting critters. Long and loose-fitting pants plus thick socks are the best defense as they target legs and ankles.

6. Stop at a Visitor Center

There are two Visitor Centers for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The main center is located at Munising. The other Visitor Center is located near Grand Marais and is typically only open in the summer. Both of these centers offer maps, Junior Ranger booklets, and park passes.

Admission to Pictured Rocks is $20 for a 7-day pass. Annual passes such as the America the Beautiful pass are also accepted.

Best hikes at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles of hiking trails. These scenic hikes lead to waterfalls, unique rock formations, beaches, and Lake Superior overlooks. No matter the age and ability of your family, be sure to check out a trail when visiting.

1. Munising Falls

Munising Falls is one of the easiest and most kid-friendly hikes in the park. Located right in the town of Munising by the Pictured Rocks Visitor Center, a paved 1/4-mile path leads to the base of this lovely 50′ tall waterfall. Two other wooden platforms require climbing up stairs for a different viewpoint of the waterfall.

This is a great hike for the whole family as it is stroller and ADA-friendly. It is also one of the few park trails where pets are allowed. The road to the waterfall trailhead is kept cleared year-round so that the waterfall can even be viewed in winter.

2. Sand Point Marsh Trail

Another stroller and wheelchair-accessible trail is Sand Point Marsh Trail. This path is a 0.5 mile loop located across from Sand Point Beach. A wooden boardwalk offers a view of the park’s most beautiful wetlands. Try this one early or late in the day to increase your chance of seeing wildlife.

3. Miners Falls

This 1.2-mile roundtrip hike offers a view of the park’s most powerful waterfall. The path is wide and mostly level as it travels gently downhill to the waterfall viewing platform.

4. Miners Castle Overlook

One of the most popular spots in the park, this overlook offers an amazing view of the Miners Castle rock formation. This area is the only cliff area of the park that can be reached by vehicle instead of a long hike. There are three overlook platforms. The first two are short walks along a paved trail. The final overlook does require descending a set of wooden steps for a total 1/2 mile roundtrip hike from the parking lot.

If you wish for a longer hike, another 1-mile trail leads from the cliff overlook down to Miner’s Beach below. You can also drive directly to Miner’s Beach from the overlook.

5. Log Slide Overlook

The Log Slide Overlook is an interesting stop combining a scenic view and history. A 0.25-mile roundtrip walk leads to a dramatic overlook 175 feet above Lake Superior. Back in Michigan’s logging days, loggers built a wooden chute to slide logs down the sand dunes to the lake below. The logs were then floated to sawmills in Grand Marais. Today, you may see some brave (or just crazy!) people climbing down the steep sand dune to the lake. (Remember, what goes down, must climb back up!)

6. Sable Falls

Sable Falls is yet another beautiful waterfall that can be reached with a short hike. The trail from the parking lot leads down a set of stairs with viewing platforms of this 75′ tall waterfall. The best viewpoint is from the bottom of the 168 steps. You can also continue hiking past the waterfall and down to the beach. This would make a total 0.4-mile roundtrip hike.

7. Au Sable Light Station

The Au Sable Light Station at Pictured Rocks was built in 1873-1874 and stands 86 feet tall. The site today contains the keeper’s quarters, the lighthouse, and several outbuildings. The hike to the Au Sable Light Station is a little longer at 3 miles round trip. However, the trail is easy as you are hiking along a flat and wide roadway that is only open to park service vehicles. This trail can be prone to stable flies, so be prepared if hiking on a hot or humid summer day with a south wind!

Keep an eye out while hiking along the trail, and you will see a sign on the left about shipwrecks on the beach. Take the stairs down to the beach and keep following along the beach toward the lighthouse. Along the way, you will see the remains of several wooden ships right on the beach. Be sure to keep kids off the shipwrecks both to preserve them and for safety. Once you reach the lighthouse, another set up steps leads back up from the beach to the lighthouse.

From mid-June through September, you can even take a tour and climb to the top of the lighthouse for a stunning view. The tours typically run between 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tours are $5 for anyone over 6. (Age 6 and under is free.) Be sure to bring cash and exact change.

8. Chapel Falls

The Chapel Falls hike is located in the Chapel and Mosquito Basin area of the park. Hitting the trail early in the morning is suggested, as parking is limited in this area. Reaching the trailhead requires driving 5 miles down an unpaved and potholed road. It’s typically fine in a regular car, but check conditions at the Visitor Center when wet or muddy.

The trail to Chapel Falls follows an old road and is mostly flat and easy. It is about 1.2 miles each way to the overlook of 60-foot-tall Chapel Falls.

Older kids and strong hikers may wish to continue further to reach Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach. This full loop runs about 6.2 miles but offers amazing cliffside views of Chapel Rock and Lake Superior.

Best beaches for kids at Pictured Rocks

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers many beautiful beaches to explore. Bring along the typical sand toys and buckets to allow kids to enjoy the sugar sand. Many beaches also offer a mixture of interesting rocks to examine or throw into the water. Just keep in mind that you cannot keep any rocks found within the National Lakeshore.

1. Sand Point

Sand Point is located just a few miles north of Munising. This beach offers picnic tables and a wheelchair-accessible mat to the beach. The shallow waters at Sand Point mean the water is a little warmer than at other beaches. This is also a great spot to watch a sunset over Munising Bay.

2. Miner’s Beach

Miner’s Beach was my favorite beach we visited. The beach stretches for a mile between two towering cliffs on each end. A seasonal waterfall flows off the rocks at the northeast end of the beach. This beach offers a lovely sunset view.

3. Twelvemile Beach

Closer to the east end of Pictured Rocks, you can find Twelvemile Beach. As the name suggests, this area consists of a 12-mile-long stretch of pristine beach. The beach is a short walk from the parking lot, but does involve descending stairs down from the bluff.

Water activities at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

While the beaches and hikes are a big draw at Pictured Rocks, don’t miss exploring the lakeshore from the water. Munising offers several types and lengths of tour cruises to view the red rock formations and cliffs of Pictured Rocks from Lake Superior. Glass bottom boat tours give visitors a chance to view the shipwrecks located under the lake. Families may also wish to rent a boat and explore the area on their own from one of several boat rentals.

Older kids and teens may enjoy SUPing, taking a kayaking tour, or a scuba diving tour to view the many shipwrecks in the lake. The weather and currents of Lake Superior can be unpredictable, so these activities are only recommended for families with older children and an experienced guide.

Why you should visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with kids

We have visited many national park sites, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ranks right up there with our favorite destinations. The sugar sand beaches, historic sites, towering waterfalls, and dramatic red cliffs make Pictured Rocks a stunning destination for the whole family to enjoy. I hope you feel inspired to seek out this scenic jewel along Lake Superior.

Have you ever visited Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?

About the author

Sara Lesire has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES, SPRING
Spring Foraging With Kids
- May 4, 2023
Spring foraging is a great way to get the whole family outside after a long winter. There are so many flowers, plants, and mushrooms that can be foraged in the spring, but it is important for the health and safety of your family and the land that you know how to do it properly. Today, Illinois photographer and mom of three, Meghan Garriott, is here sharing tips for wild foraging with kids for springtime plants, flowers, and mushrooms. She’s got tips on how to identify what you find and foraging etiquette.

What is foraging?

Foraging is the act of searching for, identifying, and collecting wild food and resources. Before the days of modern agriculture, humans relied on foraging from the land they lived. Many cultures forage not only to feed their family, but they also used these wild plants and mushrooms for medicines and hygiene. Contrary to popular belief, just because a plant is not commercially grown or mass-produced, does not mean it’s not healthy! There are so many things around you (possibly in your own backyard) you probably never realized are not only edible but are also healthy and delicious!

Importance of foraging with kids

Kids love a good scavenger hunt. Foraging is like a scavenger hunt where you can eat your prizes for dinner or dessert once you’re done. It is fun and productive. When you are out in the forest foraging, this is a perfect time to pass down traditions and culture about foraging. Explain to your children what you are gathering, and weave in storytelling elements while you gather. My grandmother loves to tell me about her childhood foraging for violets and making violet jelly.

Being outside and taking from nature is a great time to teach kids about respecting nature and how we can try to live more sustainably. A foraging haul can provide a nutritious meal or snack, but be sure to harvest mature plants, only to take what you need and leave some for others. When gathering food with your own hands, you tend to appreciate what you’re eating and waste less. These are all good lessons for children to learn. Additionally, the act of foraging keeps little bodies active, promotes better eyesight, and improves self-confidence.

Foraging rules and regulations

Before heading out to forage, make sure you know the laws or restrictions on foraging in your area. Different plants have different rules, as well as different areas. These laws dictate not only what you can take, but how to harvest it. As a general rule, foraging is not allowed in nature preserves or conservation areas. Public or state land may allow you to forage, but only native species. If you are foraging on private land, you should always have the land owners permission. Do your research and know the rules before you go.

Sustainable foraging

There are some plants like ramps/wild leeks that have recently become very popular, so to ensure future growth, forgers are instructed to cut from the base and not to take the bulb. It is best practice when foraging to only take 1/4 of what you see. This ensures that there are enough wild plants and flowers left for other species, and enough to regrow or spore for next year.

Identification when foraging

Being able to correctly identify what you are foraging is incredibly important, even more so when forging with kids. You should always have multiple identifiers before picking or eating anything you find outside. Identifiers for plants and flowers are things like color, leaf shape, petal shape, and number of petals. For mushrooms, some identifiers are color, presence of gills, and shape of the cap and stem. Remind your children that they should never touch, eat, or pick anything that has not been properly identified by an adult (one that knows what they’re doing) first.

If you are unsure if you have the right item, do not pick it. Using tools like Google Lens and nature-identifying apps can be helpful, but should not relied upon solely.

Special considerations when foraging with kids

Precautions should always be taken when out in nature, but special precautions should be taken when children are helping. If you are not familiar with the area you are foraging, make sure an adult checks the area for animal or insect nests and poisonous foliage first. Educate kids about using multiple identifiers before picking. When you’re done foraging, make sure to double-check your haul to make sure extras aren’t brought home, like bugs, spiderwebs, or unwanted plants. Be sure to remind kids that when out in nature, we should always respect the other species and their habitats, and try not to take more than needed.

Spring flowers to forage with kids

Flowers are one of the best and easiest things to start foraging for when you are just getting started. Because of their multiple identifiers, colors, and beauty they are easy to spot and correctly identify. Spring is a great time to forage flowers.

Dandelions

Dandelions are probably one of the most well-known landscaping weeds. People work very hard to get these out of their yards. But did you know the entire plant is edible? The roots, the stem, the leaves, and the flowers all have amazing benefits health benefits! And, because of their bright color, these are one of the easiest flowers for a little hands to find and to pick. Because there is an abundance of dandelions around, there’s also an abundance of things you can do with them.

Here are my top 3 things you should do with dandelions:
Violets

Violets are another flower commonly found in the early spring. In addition to growing in people’s yards, they also grow in forests and along river banks. Although they can come in many variations of purple, their color makes them easy to spot against the contrasting green grass and leaves.

Similar to dandelions, the flowers and the leaves of violets are edible. Violet flowers can be used to make jellies, simple, syrups, and candies. Here is an article dedicated to foraging violets with kids and using them to make a simple syrup that will change colors!

Forsythia

Forsythia is a flowering plant in the olive family. In the spring, its branches are full of bright yellow flowers. This bright shrub is usually found in gardens and landscaping, but can be found in parks, as well.

Because the flowers are large and close together, it doesn’t take long to fill up a jar of them. The bright yellow flowers not only taste good but are used for medicinal purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. We have used these golden flowers to make Forsythia Honey. Forsythia can also be used to make soaps, lotion, and toners.

Muscari/ Grape hyacinth

Muscari/Grape Hyacinth

Grape Hyacinths are actually not Hyacinths at all. Thank goodness because true hyacinths are not at all edible! Muscari are extremely invasive, so you can take as many flowers as you want; just try to leave a few for the bees. People often plant just a few and end up with them invading and overtaking their entire yard.

Grape hyacinth blossoms are used as a flavoring in Europe. You can use the little blossoms to make simple syrups to add a little flavor to teas and lemonades. Like violets, grape hyacinths are pH sensitive. This means if you add grape hyacinth syrup to a base, it will turn from purple to more blue, and if you add it to an acid, it will turn more pink!

Here is a video showing how to make the Grape Hyacinth Lemonade

Magnolia blossoms

Magnolia blossoms are such a beautiful site after a long winter. The flowers of the magnolia tree are large, brightly colored blooms and are some of the first blooms of spring. Foraging magnolia blooms might be difficult for smaller kids due to the branches being so up high. The blossoms can be used to make Magnolia snap cookies, and petals can also be pickled for a sweet and tangy treat. My bet is, kids will be more excited about the cookies.

Red bud

Red bud trees are easy to spot, and their buds and blooms are edible! Like magnolias, it may be hard for kids to reach high enough to pick the blossoms to forage, but they can definitely be spotters! Red bird blooms are high in vitamin C, and, like other flowers, can be used to make jellies and syrups! If you want to sprinkle some color on a salad, these can be eaten raw as well.

Red Clover

Similar to dandelions and violets, red clovers are commonly found in yards, landscaping, and along roadsides and sidewalks. Red clovers are easy to spot and their flowers usually stick up 6 inches or more from the ground.

The flowers not only smell delicious but are tasty as well. These pretty pink flowers are mostly used for tea. Red clover tea is not recommended for children, as it is traditionally, used to help with women’s health issues, such as menstrual and menopausal symptoms. A more kid-friendly way to use red clover is in these Red Clover biscuits.

Lilac

Nothing smells better in the spring than fresh lilac in the breeze. Lilac tastes as good as it smells! The flowers can be used to make syrup, flower-infused sugar, and candies. Infuse lilacs in oil to make delicious-smelling soaps and lotions! Here is a video on how to ferment lilac water using the yeast that is naturally on it to make a fizzy lilac drink!

Spring plants to forage with kids

Wild plants are a little harder to for untrained eyes to find than flowers. Luckily, the plants listed below are readily available and probably in your front yard, back yard, or along your local sidewalks! Here are a few of our favorite local plants to forage in the spring.

Ramps/wild leeks

Ramps are a species of wild onion that can be found all over North America. Ramps are among some of the first plants to appear in the forest in the spring. The very strong garlicky smell of ramps can help to identify them properly. Be aware when foraging for ramps that lily-of-the-valley looks very similar, but is NOT edible. Both ramps and lily-of-the-valley can’t have white or red stems. If you are not for sure, do not eat it.

Ramps have recently risen dramatically in popularity over the last few years, and because of this, some places have put restrictions on foraging ramps or instructed foragers to cut ramps instead of pulling out the bulb. Please do your research and be aware of any rules or restrictions when harvesting.

Plantain

You have probably seen this plant in the cracks of sidewalks. Plantains grow all over and have qualities you probably didn’t even know about! Did you know that plantain can be used to help sores, blisters, and insect stings? Indigenous people would chew up the leaves of plantain and use the poultice to soothe insect bites. This could come in handy, especially for kids, who are often stung by bees and bit by mosquitoes while outside playing!

Here you can read about the medicinal benefits of plantain with sources and science to back up the claims!

Onion grass/wild onion/wild garlic

If you’ve spent any time outside in the spring, you’ve probably seen wild onion grass. It pops up in the spring, usually before the regular grass, and it grows twice as fast and much taller. You can often find it growing in small patches or clumps.

When identifying, you can pull out the patch, and you will see small white bulbs at the end, just like miniature green onions. The stems/grass part of the plant can be used like chives (fresh or dried), or you can grind up dried stems to make onion powder!

Fiddlehead ferns/ostrich fern

Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of a young fern. Say that 5 times fast! Fiddlehead ferns are edible ferns before they unfurl and become inedible ferns. They are edible when in the furled-up stage of a fern, just after they start to shoot through the ground in spring. As they emerge through the fertile, wet April soil, they grow and unfurl quickly (sometimes lasting just a few days in their furled-up stage) – so you have to act fast! At this unfurled stage, they are tender and edible.

Though all ferns have a fiddlehead stage, it’s the Ostrich fern, a specific edible fern species, that has become synonymous with the words “fiddlehead ferns.” Their taste is often described somewhere between asparagus, broccoli, and spinach. The ostrich fern is pictured here.

Hosta Shoots

Did you know these shade, loving ornamental plants were also edible? Hostas usually spread/multiply quickly over the years. So instead of getting rid of them to keep from overcrowding, you can dig up, young shoots and eat them!

Most people prepare them like you would asparagus, with a similar taste and texture. All species of hosta are edible, but they are best eaten right when they shoot up. Here is a recipe for Bacon Wrapped Hosta Shoots.

Mullein

Mullein is probably most recognizable when it is large, tall, and its yellow stalk is flowering along roadsides and sidewalks. Foraging mullein is best done in the spring when the leaves are young and tender. These fuzzy leaves are fun and easy for kids to identify. Mullein is most known for its respiratory benefits. Smoking Mullen is probably not the best way to utilize it with kids, but mullein tea is also raved about for its respiratory healing properties.

Morel mushroom picture by @c_l_allofus

Foraging spring mushrooms

There are thousands of mushrooms/fungi to find out in the woods or even just in the backyard. It’s important to know that while a lot of mushrooms are edible, there are a lot that are not. Some mushrooms are very dangerous and even deadly if ingested.

Morels

Morel mushrooms are a great way to start foraging mushrooms because they are easier than most to identify! Not to mention, they’re delicious! You can find morels under or around fallen and decaying trees, and along south-facing slopes. Morels have deeply ridged camps that resemble honeycombs. The stem of the morel is hollow. These mushrooms are delicious when sautéed or when fried!

Family time foraging

You don’t have to venture far to begin your foraging adventures. Nearly everything listed here was found on or around my own property without too much searching. Even if you don’t plan to eat the things you find, looking for these spring treasures is still a fun and educational scavenger hunt! How much can you forage in your backyard this spring!?!

What do you forage in the spring?

About the author

Meghan is a midwestern mom of 3 kids and one dog. She is a physical therapist assistant and family photographer. At home, her and her family enjoy gardening (both indoors and outside), riding ATVs, and exploring the river behind their house. When not at home, they can usually be found at the lake or exploring Illinois state parks. Meghan’s family has always loved the outdoors, but they really found a passion for being outside and photography when her oldest son had to undergo a bone marrow transplant as a baby. During her son’s recovery, being outside became a safe place for the whole family to learn, grow and thrive.

You can find more from Meghan online in the following locations:
Instagram: @meghangarriott
Meghan’s RWMC posts: Meghan Garriott
HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Best Kid-Friendly Hikes in Atlanta
- May 2, 2023
When you think of Atlanta, you may not think of it as a hiking city. Many locals go to North Georgia for all the kid-friendly hikes, but there are quite a few closer to the city that are worth your time. Atlanta is filled with many unique hikes, and you don’t have to go far to experience them. Today, India Tate, local Atlanta mom of two, outdoor adventurer, and founder of Our Wanderlust Life, is here to share the best kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta, Georgia. So, grab your hiking boots, and let’s go explore!

Exploring the kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta

Hiking in Atlanta doesn’t just mean you have to do urban trails. There are many kid-friendly hikes that don’t feel like you are in the city at all! Many of them are in secluded neighborhoods with lush vegetation and lots of green space. This makes you feel like you are far from the city and deep in nature.

Today, I’ll be covering 7 kid-friendly hikes and trails in the Atlanta area. Be sure to add these kid-friendly hikes to your list next time you are exploring Atlanta.

1. Sweet Water Creek (red trail)

Sweet Water Creek is a popular state park. One of the main trails to do is the red trail. This trail starts at the visitor center and takes you down a path where you are able to walk alongside the creek the entire way. The hike can be a bit rocky in certain parts, especially as you get closer to the end. With this being an out-and-back trail, once you get to the end of the trail, you must turn around and go back toward the beginning of the trail.

2. Sope Creek Paper Mill trail

This trail is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in all of Atlanta. There is so much history at Sope Creek, with the ruins once being the largest paper mill in the state during the Civil War. To access this trail, there are a few starting points, but the main entrance is off paper mill road.

The trail is easily accessible year-round, but even better in the summer when you can play in the shallow parts of the river. The main loop is 2.3 miles and takes you down to the ruins and access to the Chattahoochee River. Once you walk back up from the river access, you continue on the loop, which will take you around the lake and back to the main parking lot.

3. High Falls

High Falls is another state park in the Atlanta area with great hiking. This park offers camping and a few different hiking trails. The High Falls Trail takes you over to the beautiful waterfall. This trail is a quick 1-mile loop. You can park across the street in the main parking lot and then cross over to the trailhead.

Head down the staircase and get treated to the beautiful waterfall view that is High Falls. After visiting the falls, you will continue on the trail through the wooded forest and loop back around towards the start of the trailhead.

4. East Palisades bamboo forest

The bamboo forest on the East Palisades trail is such a hidden gem! Many locals don’t even know that it is there. This loop is about 4 miles and is considered moderate, but it is a very kid-friendly hike. If my 3-year-old and 4-year-old can do it with no problem, yours can too! Using the AllTrails app to map your hike is helpful for this particular trail because finding the trailhead can be a little tricky.

Once you park in the parking lot, you can either walk back down the road a little to access the trailhead from that end (which is a quick way to the bamboo forest if you don’t want to do the whole loop), or access the trailhead closest to the parking lot and make the full 4 mile loop. There is a lot to see and do on this trail, and once you start walking alongside the river, you will quickly approach the hidden Bamboo forest!

5. Vickery Creek

Vickery Creek is a local favorite, and for good reason! This hike leads to a stunning waterfall and is a great family outing experience. The loop is 2 miles, and you will cross over a bridge and end up at the popular waterfall along the trail.

This kid-friendly hike is also great if you want to just walk up to the waterfall alone and make a day of it. Vickery Creek runs along the Chattahoochee River, and on a day after rainfall, it flows heavily and is amazing to see!

6. Clyde Shepherd nature preserve

Clyde Shepherd is a true hidden gem right in the city of Atlanta. It’s tucked away in a neighborhood in Decatur. This nature preserve is funded by local donations. Volunteers of the neighborhood are the ones who continue to take care of it.

This park has a few trail options. The interpretive main loop that covers most of the preserve is 1.5 miles. There is a big pond (seasonal) that you can walk past on the loop as well as another small pond closer to the beginning of the trail. There are so many unique areas along this trail that make it a super kid-friendly hike. with over 300 species of native plants and animals, your child is sure to find something to keep them engaged for quite some time on this hike.

7. Cochran Mill (orange trail)

Cochran Mill Park features miles of hiking trails, a playground near the parking lot, and a few beautiful waterfalls! The orange trail is easily accessible and a great kid-friendly hike option. Once you cross the street from the parking lot, you will head over the bridge. The main waterfall is immediately to the right as you cross the bridge, and the kids have a lot of fun playing in the creek under the bridge.

If you want to do the entire loop, you will head left on the trail after you pass the waterfall and continue to make that loop. Along the trail, there are a few more waterfalls to see, and some you can even walk up to.

Best kid-friendly hikes in Atlanta

Atlanta is filled with so much more nature and outdoor fun than you might expect. It’s a big city, but one with a lot of amazing local green spaces, hiking trails, parks, and nature preserves.

If you are looking to get out in nature and out of the city, these trails are perfect for your next adventure! Which trail will you go on first?

Did you know about any of these hikes in Atlanta?

About the author

India is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, blogger, and travel photographer. She is also a single mom to two young boys (ages 5 & 4). India and her boys currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, where she grew up, and are always out exploring, whether that be camping, hiking, backpacking, and so much more. She loves taking road trips with her boys to new places at a moment’s notice and is grateful to be able to share this love of adventure with her kids.

You can find more from India online in the following locations:
Instagram: @ourwanderlust_life
Website: http://www.ourwanderlust.life
CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
What I Learned From My First Backpacking Trip with Kids
- April 26, 2023
If you love camping, hiking, and a challenge, backpacking is the next step! Backpacking with kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging if you’re not adequately prepared. But, where do you even begin? Today, St. Louis mom of three, Steph Hampton is here to share her family’s recent backpacking experience. As a first-time backpacker with kids, Steph learned that planning and preparation are essential to ensure a successful trip, and she’s sharing some of the tips and tricks she learned from her first time backpacking with kids with you today.

Our first backpacking with kids experience

Here’s an idea…why don’t we take our three young kids camping deep in the woods, with just the stuff we can carry on our backs?

Well, why not?!!

My husband and I love nature, love camping, and we love a good challenge. We have always wanted to take our kids backpacking, but until recently, it seemed too daunting. Particularly with three kids (ages 5, 3 & 1). What if we forgot something important? What if there was an emergency? What if…what if…what if.

But…what if we did it?!

We prepped and researched as much as we could to get us to a point where we felt very comfortable taking this leap. Leveling up our outdoor adventures isn’t new to us. We started cabin camping before progressing to car camping, then primitive camping. Backpacking felt like the next logical (albeit much more challenging) step, and we couldn’t wait to give it a try!

We checked our schedules and found we had an open weekend in March and decided to go for it! This would not only be the first backpacking trip for my daughters but for me, as well! We can do hard things together.

Hiking to our campsite at Cuivre River State Park

Choosing a backpacking campsite

One of the first things we did when we were ready to go backpacking was start researching backpacking campsites near us. When you’re choosing a backpacking site for a family, there are several factors to consider, including safety, accessibility, and amenities. Here are some tips from our experience.

Start close to home

We searched our state park website for sites that offered backcountry camping within an hour of us. We chose to stick a little closer to home for our first time because those are the trails and areas we’re most familiar with. Plus, if we needed to bail for any reason, we’d be relatively close to home. For those familiar with the St. Louis area, we chose Cuivre River State Park (one hour NW from St. Louis). We chose this location because we were familiar with the park, knew there was cell service if we had an emergency come up, and we were close to a city.

Consider making reservations

Some backcountry campsites are first-come-first-served and some allow you to make reservations to reserve your location. If you’re a serious planner or backpacking during peak season, I’d recommend starting with a campsite that you can reserve so that you’re guaranteed your space. If you’re up for being spontaneous or camping in places where they’re not much of a crowd, you can be more flexible when selecting a site. The campsite we chose did not take reservations in advance, but was available when we arrived (it’s not peak camping season here yet). We were thankful the site was open! We learned to search for future backpacking sites that we are able to reserve ahead of time.

Choose a location within a doable distance

Because you have to hike (with all your gear!) to your campsite, we chose a site down a trail that was just 1.5 miles from the trailhead. It was a great distance for all of us with what we were carrying and doable for even our youngest child. We carried everything we needed, but also had extra supplies (food & water) in the van (only 1.5 miles away), just in case.

Could we have hiked a longer trail? Totally! But, our goal was to test out our gear and the backpacking experience. We were glad we went with a shorter trail because we didn’t feel rushed at all. We could enjoy our time in the woods with the girls.

This also was a more rustic trail (limited trail markers), so it was helpful that it was shorter to locate the correct backpacking site. Before we planned our trip, we kept in mind what distance our kids could confidently hike based on prior experiences. Our family hikes normally vary between 0.5 miles to 5 miles, so we were happy to find a backcountry trail this distance that all three of our daughters could hike independently.

Enjoying a granola breakfast around the campfire. Our girls are wearing Merrell hiking shoes from Laurie’s Shoes, which we loved for traction on the trail!

How to get your kids involved in backpacking

Getting your kids involved in backpacking can be a fun and exciting for them. Kids are natural helpers and love getting to be involved in the process. Here are some tips to help you get your kids interested in (and excited about) backpacking:

Let them make choices

Our kids helped us choose our backpacking site and how we got there. They had fun looking at the park map to find out what route we should take to get to our campsite. Once we arrived, we let them help pick the spot for our tent and where we’d set things up. Giving them choices throughout the process made them more excited about the adventure and invested in it.

Meal plan

Our kids also helped choose our weekend meals They each brought their own hiking backpack that carried a family meal, their spork, and their water bottle. This added to their excitement, as they had more responsibility and helped our family. We usually bring a large cooler for our previous camping experiences but were not able to when backpacking, so this was a different experience. We all felt empowered by carrying everything on our backs, including our food and water.

Packing help

We prepped our kids that we are bringing only the bare necessities, and then got them involved in the packing process. When we car camp, our kids are used to bringing toys, many baby dolls, doll clothes, picture books, etc. But for backpacking, we all agreed ahead of time that they would each be able to bring one lovey. They had fun choosing that one special item and were excited to take it on our adventures. The girls did surprisingly great throughout the trip with limited toys. It was so neat to see their imagination blossom when playing in the woods. A huge fallen tree became the Polar Express train, and a pile of leaves and sticks became a chef’s kitchen to feed their loveys.

Starting our 1.5 mile trail to the site, sporting our Deuter backpacking packs

Hiking to the campsite

The hike to our campsite was only 1.5 miles, but it can still be challenging to keep kids entertained and moving down the trail. Here are a few tips and tricks we implement when hiking with kids to keep their spirits high and their little feet moving!

Search

Our daughters were in charge of finding the trail markers, which is always a fun “I Spy” game. The trail markers were limited on the trail to our campsite, so it was really helpful to have a few more eyes searching! From the “I Spy” of trail markers, we also transitioned to search for animals, flowers, trees, and animal tracks.

Sing songs

Dancing and singing always seem more fun in the woods. My husband and I brought back ALLLLLLL the scout songs when we entered parenthood. Princess Pat, Boom Chicka Boom, or Alice the Camel, anyone? We also like to make up songs from what we see on a hike (nature, animals, weather, etc). Singing and dancing definitely keep us moving!

Carry ultra-light backpacking gear

I highly recommend ultra-light gear when you’re backpacking. 1.5 miles might not sound like a long distance, but heavy gear can make any distance feel grueling. As this was our first family backpacking trip, we did have to make some purchases of ultra-light items, and I was thankful for the light weight of our gear. My husband carried 45 pounds in his pack, while I carried 35 pounds in my pack. (Normally, I carry my 30lb daughter in a hiking backpack on hikes, so this wasn’t too different for me!) If you’re not used to a hiking with a heavy pack, the shorter distance and ultra-light gear can make a huge difference.

Involving our kids in setting up our tent

Tent setup

Include your kids in the setup process

We let our girls help figure out where the best spot to set up the tent would be and got them involved in each step of the process. Do you want the tent on a slope or flat? Why do we need a tarp under the tent? All of these questions helped the girls be more invested in our tent setup. Their favorite part was snapping the tent poles together!

Organize the inside of your tent

Inside our tent, our girls were thrilled to play “Tetris” to figure out where everyone should sleep. They helped blow up our insulated sleeping pads and roll out our sleeping bags (my husband and I had sleeping bags, while our daughters wore Morrison Outdoors wearable sleeping bags). We were camping in the spring and the temperature got down to 40 degrees at night. I was a little cold at one point, but everyone else was warm enough. While we had a 4-person tent with 5 people, we were all on one side of the tent by the morning, snuggling.

Vestibule

Our tent has a vestibule (an outer room) we could use to set things up before entering the tent. Our girls thought this was the coolest thing to have a “tent porch” and were excited to lay out our hiking shoes there. This helped to keep our gear dry, as it rained a bit throughout the night.

Cuddling as the sun rises

Our first-time backpacking tips and takeaways

Lower your expectations

As with anything with kids, be flexible and lower your expectations! Did you lower them? Now lower them again! Don’t set yourself up for failure thinking that this will be an easy, peaceful, restful experience. Backpacking (and all camping) is work, and anytime you get kids out of their comfort zone, there will be hiccups.

My husband and I went into the trip knowing that we would probably not get much sleep, and that helped (because we didn’t). Our two older daughters slept through the night, but our youngest was very excited and had a pretty hard time sleeping. This meant she was climbing over us and all through the tent all night long. At one point she went over to her older sisters, tapped their heads, and said, “Sisters, awake?” In our previous tent camping experiences, we brought a pack n’ play for her to keep her contained and provide some familiarity. With all the space (and us!) I don’t know she knew what to do with herself! For us, lowering our expectations helped because the experience was so worth the limited sleep!

Next time, we’ll make reservations

As I mentioned above, some backcountry campsites allow you to make reservations, and we already reserved our next campsite for our next adventure! This one will have a little longer trail (at Hawn State Park for Missourians) and a water source available, so we can filter our own water and not have to pack in so much (you go through more water than you realize).

Keep it simple

Our biggest takeaway was just how much fun it was to unplug, live simply, and have fun. One of the most unexpected benefits of backpacking is how you realize just how simply you can live and that you really don’t need that much stuff. We could only bring the most absolute essentials on our backs, so we didn’t have the option to overpack. And it was wonderful!

Although, I will admit that I splurged and brought s’mores fixings (because it’s not really camping without s’mores, right?). I put the graham crackers in a Tupperware container so they didn’t crumble. This luxury item was totally worth the little extra weight!

Peace in the woods at night!

Making the leap to backpacking

Camping as a family is my favorite outdoor activity because it allows us to unplug and spend real quality time together, just the five of us. No technology (except the occasional phone photo), no laundry, no home projects…just special time together bonding, playing, and adventuring.

There is something for everyone in the outdoors, whether it is a family walk in the neighborhood, hiking in the woods, or camping. If camping is something you also enjoy, but you’re unsure about taking the leap to backpacking, I highly encourage you to go for it! Start small and give it a try! The family memories are well worth it!

Have you ever gone backpacking?
Where will your family adventure together next?

About the author

Steph lives in St. Louis with her husband, Mark, their three daughters (ages 5, 3 & 1), and their funny pup. Steph taught elementary school for five years and became a stay-at-home mom when her first child was born. When the pandemic hit and the playgrounds were closed, she started taking her kids hiking on a different trail each day. Steph is also a NICU mama (her 2nd daughter was born 3 months early). The outdoors has been so healing for her and her family, not to mention fun!

Since the pandemic started, their family has visited over 175 parks and hiked over 200 trails around St. Louis and Missouri. Their family also loves to tent camp, canoe, and bike. Steph has a passion for exploring the outdoors, helping start a free, weekly nature playgroup, and sharing adventure tips with others. When she is not hiking, she loves baking, reading, and dreaming of being a Survivor contestant.

You can find more from Steph in the following locations:
Instagram: @explorestlparks
RWMC posts: Steph Hampton
FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
How to Use a Pocket Microscope
- April 14, 2023
What do dead bugs, pine needles, worms, and sand have in common? Maybe you should add soil, bark, and pond water to that list. And that’s only the beginning. All these things, and more, may find their way into your kids’ hands and under the lens of a pocket microscope while on a nature walk. Today, Laura Stroup, founder of Firefly Nature School and mom to three wildlings, shows you how to get a close-up look at nature through the lens of a pocket microscope.

What is a pocket microscope?

Pocket microscopes are so named because they easily fit inside the pocket of your clothing or backpack. Their small size and light weight make them a good choice to take on a nature walk or hike. They are also sturdy and relatively simple to operate.

Once you learn how to use them, you can teach your kids to do the same. Soon, you’ll wonder what everything looks like magnified under the microscope.

Best pocket microscopes for kids

There are many pocket microscope brands on the market. Prices range from $10-$50. And maybe the best part of small microscopes is the small price tag. Many can be purchased for under $20. They make great stocking stuffers or birthday gifts for your kids or their friends. You can even purchase small cases for your microscope for extra protection and battery storage when transporting them. If your kids jump, climb, and tumble on a nature walk like mine do, then the storage case might be worth the extra cost.

When choosing a pocket microscope, there are many features you can consider, including, size, magnification ability, camera function, light, and durability. Here are a few choices for a great pocket microscope for kids:
The one we use is the Carson Microbrite Plus. As is the case with many other brands, it has a light, zoom, focus ring, eyepiece, and lens. This particular microscope can zoom in anywhere from 60 to 120 times magnification.

Starting with a pocket microscope

Many people feel intimidated when they first use a microscope, but starting with a pocket microscope can make the process seem less daunting, especially when you’re going to teach your kids how to use it, too.

Eventually, when you move on to a larger microscope down the road, you will already have microscope basics under your belt. And teaching your kids what you’ve learned will provide them with an invaluable skill they can use throughout their education.

How to use a pocket microscope

To begin, you will want to keep the microscope on a flat surface. Then, find something around you worth a close-up look. A piece of fabric, napkin, hair, even your phone screen will work. And placing a light-colored paper or plate under the object will make it easier to view with your microscope.

Turn on your microscope’s light, and place the scope on the object so the lens is over the top of what you want to see. Make sure the zoom adjustment is on its lowest power. For example, if the zoom adjustment goes from 60x to 120x, you’ll want it set to 60x.

Now it’s time to take a peek. Put your dominant eye up to the eyepiece on top of the microscope and look through while closing your other eye. Likely, the image will be blurry. While looking through the eyepiece and holding the microscope still, slowly turn the focus ring until the object comes clearly into view.

Once you see it, wow! It only gets better by zooming in closer. Move the zoom to the highest power, and again, use the focus ring to see the image clearly, with even more detail this time.

What can you do with a pocket microscope?

Practice with different items around the house until you feel confident passing your newfound skills to your kids, with the eventual goal of taking your microscope outside with you and using it for all the things you find on your nature walks!

When you’ve had a lot of experience manipulating the zoom adjustment and focus ring, you can even use the pocket microscope up against a tree or flower, as long as you’re able to hold it steady and the object you’re looking at doesn’t move around.

Looking at nature finds

Some of our favorite nature treasures to view with a microscope are:
- sand
- soil
- butterfly wings
- insect legs
- bark
- lichens
- moss
- flower petals
- seeds
- broad leaves
- needle leaves
- algae
- droplets of pond water
Benefits of using a pocket microscope in nature

Using a microscope in nature really helps you to slow down and appreciate the intricacies and details of things you see every single day. You’ll literally stop to smell and see the roses (and all the other flowers along the trail as well).

It also gives your kids invaluable and concrete STEM skills. But more than that, it nurtures their creativity, curiosity, and imagination. It instills a sense of wonder.

The plethora of features to see on even the tiniest bit of nature is surprising. Hairs and pores dot leaves and insect legs, scales cover butterfly wings, jagged edges surround bits of sand, and minute creatures scurry in soil and pond water.

Add a pocket microscope to your next outdoor adventure

You can hone your observation skills by doing simple nature journaling activities while using your microscope. Draw and label items that you see while out in nature. Then, look at the same items again, but under the microscope. Draw another illustration of what the object looks like close-up. What details did you notice after using the microscope that you did not see originally?

Pocket microscopes are fun tools to use when you go hiking on a trail or around your neighborhood. Usually, my backpack ends up holding ALL the things on a hike – water bottles, rocks, sticks, bones, you name it.

Since these microscopes aren’t heavy or awkward, kids don’t mind carrying them and rather enjoy having them close by to grab when the notion strikes.

Toting a microscope in their pocket and having easy access to it on a hike just makes sense. You’ll probably even find yourself asking your kids if you can use it, too.

Have you ever used a pocket microscope?

About the author

Laura is an ecology writer and the founder of Firefly Nature School, a nature study curriculum designed for homeschooling families, co-ops, and classrooms. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she now directs School of the Wild, a local nature school serving her community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, running, writing, reading, and cooking. Laura lives with her husband and their three children in the beautiful Ozarks countryside.

Find more from Laura in the following locations:
Website: Firefly Nature School
Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Facebook: Firefly Nature School
RWMC posts: Laura
BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK
Minnesota’s North Shore with Kids
- March 25, 2023
Minnesota’s North Shore is a Midwest scenic gem. This area of northwest Minnesota runs along the Lake Superior coast from Duluth to the Canadian border. Along this 150 miles of shore you can find quaint beach towns, multiple state parks, towering rock formations, and endless waterfalls. Even better, many of the hikes are short and kid-friendly. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares why you should consider a road trip along the North Shore. Read on to plan the perfect getaway for the whole family using this guide to Minnesota’s North Shore with Kids.

Tips for visiting Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

1. Bring a map

This area of Minnesota is fairly remote. Cell service can be spotty. If you stay on the main highway, it’s difficult to get lost. However, downloading an offline map or bringing a paper map is recommended. This is especially true for following hiking trails, as you may lose connection while using an app.

2. Pack a picnic

As the towns are small and often spread out, bringing along groceries instead of hunting down a kid-friendly restaurant can be a good option. The restaurants in the area also tend to be pricey. The road is lined with beaches and parks that make perfect picnic stops.

3. Tips to avoid crowds

Many of the popular state parks along Minnesota’s North Shore, such as Gooseberry Falls, can become very crowded. I recommend hitting the popular parks and trails early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid crowds and having to search for a parking spot. Oftentimes, you can find just as good as a park with lower crowds by traveling further north and away from the city day trippers.

4. Use caution with kids

This area of Minnesota has more waterfalls than you can count. Many of the trails are short and can be hiked by kids. However, there are many trails that do not have railings near waterfalls or sheer drop-offs. Carefully check the details of each hike before adventuring, and keep kids close at all times.

Best time to visit Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

This area of Minnesota is about as far north as you can get. Winter brings bitter cold and heavy snowfall. Spring can be a good time to visit, but can still bring snowstorms and muddy trail conditions. Summer offers the best weather for exploring but also heavier crowds and bugs. Fall along the North Shore is spectacular, with fall weekends also bringing large amounts of leaf-peeping travelers. When traveling with kids, summer and early fall are probably your best bet for family-friendly weather to explore hiking trails and beaches. Just don’t expect Lake Superior water to ever be warm!

Where to stay along the North Shore with kids

With the exception of Duluth at the south end, all other towns along the North Shore are very small. Most of the lodging in the area consists of cabins, small motels, and a few resorts. Many of the state parks along the North Shore also have campgrounds offering amenities and stunning water views.

If possible, it can be helpful to stay in two different areas to explore both the southern end and the northern areas of the North Shore. We based part of our stay out of a hotel in Silver Bay before moving to a mountain resort at Lutsen. This helped avoid a lot of backtracking, which can eat up time.

Must-see spots along Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

Minnesota’s North Shore offers a chain of beautiful state parks. Most of these parks are located right along the main highway, making it easy to visit multiple parks in a short time. A daily pass to the state parks is $7, but you can get into any of the state parks that same day. Here are several stops that should be on every North Shore itinerary.

1. Duluth

Duluth is a great spot to start your North Shore Adventure. Head to Canal Park downtown to view the aerial lift bridge, lighthouse, playground, and Lakewalk. You can get a close-up view of the lake on a Vista Fleet cruise or explore by rail on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Take a drive over the lift bridge for some beach time at the world’s largest freshwater sandbar at Park Point. Enger Park is another great Duluth park with gardens and a stone tower to climb.

If weather interferes with your outdoor plans, Duluth also has an aquarium, railroad museum, and the free Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.

2. Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls is the most popular state park on the North Shore for good reason. Multiple waterfalls can be seen along short hiking trails. The beautiful Visitor Center is a good spot to stop for a restroom visit and to grab a park map. From the Visitor Center, a 1-mile loop trail leads past The Upper, Middle, and Lower falls, with two bridges crossing over the river. A portion of these trails is paved. Use caution near the waterfall overlooks with children as not all have railings.

Other good hiking trails at Gooseberry Falls include the 2-mile roundtrip hike to Fifth Falls or the 1.25-mile Riverview trail along the river down to the lakeshore. The Gitchi Gami Trail is just over 2 miles and offers Lake Superior views.

3. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse is an iconic landmark of the North Shore. The lighthouse was constructed in 1910. Today the lighthouse is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society as a historic site. An additional admission fee is required to visit the lighthouse grounds and tour the inside of the lighthouse.

The state park surrounding the lighthouse requires standard state park admission. The park is long and narrow, tucked between the highway and the lakeshore. The Little Two Harbors Trail offers a flat gravel path with views of the lighthouse and pebble beach along its 0.75-mile trail length. The 1.5-mile Corundum Point Overlook Trail is another trail with great views of the lake and lighthouse. If you want to take a scenic bike ride, the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail travels through the park and continues to Gooseberry Falls 8 miles south.

4. Black Beach

Located in Silver Bay, Black Beach’s rich color comes from taconite. This low-grade iron ore was dumped in the lake by mining companies. It mixed with rocks and sand to form the only black beach in Minnesota.

This beach is beautiful, with rugged rocks and shallow water. There are nearby restrooms and picnic tables, making this a great road trip stop.

5. Palisade Head

Palisade Head is a stop I recommend with caution. A curvy and narrow road leads to a small parking area at the top with amazing views. This is one of the best views you can get without a long hike. However, there is only one small section of rock railing and very sheer drop-offs. This is a site best explored with older kids or kids small enough to be in a carrier.

6. Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is another Minnesota North Shore state park full of lake views and waterfalls. This park has a great and large visitor center to start your adventure. Right behind the visitor center is the 1.2-mile Shovel Point Trail. This trail offers sweeping lake views from atop the bluffs. There are 300 stairs and boardwalks on this trail. Use caution with children and keep them back from any cliff edges.

Another popular family hike is the Cascades Falls Trail. This 1.5-mile round-trip hike follows rocky terrain along the river to Cascade Falls. There are quite a few stairs, but no steep drop-offs along this trail. If you are up for a longer waterfall trek, take the 3-mile loop to towering High Falls.

7. Temperance River State Park

Another gem of a state park, Temperance River is full of deep gorges and waterfalls. On the northwest side of the highway, a short and paved path leads to an overlook of hidden falls. This is a great trail for little ones, as there are no drop-offs.

On the other side of the highway, stairs, and bridges cross over the river as it rushes through a rocky gorge toward the lake. Continue on the path down to the beautiful beach near the lower campground to explore the rocks and sand. This is a lovely spot for sunrise or sunset views.

8. Oberg Mountain

The Oberg Mountain hike is one of the best trails we have hiked anywhere. This 2.5-mile loop starts off with a moderate climb as it switchbacks up the mountain. At the top, enjoy panoramic views as the trail circles the top. While most of the trail stays well back from cliff edges, there are a few overlooks with steep drop-offs. Keep kids close by while on the upper portion of the trail.

9. Lutsen Mountain

Lutsen Mountain is located just off the main highway but is worth the detour. This mountain resort offers traditional winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. During the summer, the resort offers a gondola and alpine slide. Both of these attractions are not cheap, but the views from atop Lutsen mountain are amazing!

10. Cascade River State Park

You can find another short hike with waterfall views at this state park. The 0.5-mile Cascade River Lower Loop passes multiple cascading waterfalls. Keep an eye on kids, as some areas of the trail do not have railings.

11. Grand Portage National Monument

This free national park site is a must-see attraction. The site preserves the history of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe tribe as well as the North American fur trade. The 8.5-mile portage trail was used by Native Americans and explorers to bypass high waterfalls and gorges.

Today, the site consists of a museum and a reconstructed fur trading fort. Interpreters do a wonderful job explaining the various buildings and what life was like during the 1700s. The M Be sure to ask for junior ranger booklets so kids can earn their park ranger badges.

12. Grand Portage State Park

The furthest north must-see stop on a North Shore vacation is Grand Portage State Park. This free state park features a paved and boardwalk 1-mile loop to three overlook platforms of High Falls, Minnesota’s highest waterfall. The waterfall is located on the border between Minnesota and Canada. The overlook platforms have railings making them safe for all ages.

Visiting Minnesota’s North Shore with kids

Hopefully, this travel guide has inspired you to journey north and view the rugged beauty of the North Shore. The endless waterfalls, family-friendly hikes, and Lake Superior views provide a family adventure of memories waiting to be made.

Have you ever explored Minnesota’s North Shore?

About the author

Sara Lesire has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Best Hikes for Kids in Central Europe
- March 6, 2023
With the weather getting warmer and thoughts of vacation on everyone’s mind, we’re in the mood to explore! If Europe is on your bucket list for exploring, then it’s your lucky day! While most people may think that Europe is mainly just big historic cities and stuffy museums, that’s not the case. Europe is filled with spectacular nature, as diverse in each individual country as the culture and language, which makes it the perfect place for hiking! Today, Belgian mom of two and outdoor adventurer, Tine of Kids del Mundo, is here sharing the best hikes for kids in Central Europe (Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). We hope this post will inspire you to add some of these hikes to your next Central European vacation!

Exploring Central Europe with kids

What do you think of when you envision Central Europe? Many people automatically think of historical cities, large cathedrals, museums, and galleries. However, Europe is so much more than just city trips in crowded places.

Europe is filled with countries that all have very diverse backgrounds. It is so easy to go country-hopping across a few countries on a trip to Central Europe. You can go by train, by plane, by car, or even by bike! Each country is rich in nature, food, culture, language, and history. And because it is all so easily accessible, it makes Europe the ideal destination for your next vacation with kids.

Let’s introduce you to four countries you can combine during a two-week stay without taking the plane from one country to another: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Each of these countries has its own distinct personality.

Best hiking trails in Central Europe for kids

Central Europe is also home to some spectacular natural areas filled with great hiking opportunities, many of which are perfect for children. With rolling pastures, dense forests, snow-capped mountains, and alpine lakes, this is a region that begs to be explored.

Central Europe’s vast network of trails offers something for every family, no matter what your hiking level or childrens’ ages. If you are seeking a unique outdoor experience, then follow along on a trip through the less touristic place in Central Western Europe. Here are a few of our favorite hikes and trails in Central Europe:

Our family of four, known as Kids del Mundo, lives in Belgium, very central in Europe. We love exploring our country. We’ve always loved finding new places within our country and have spent years (particularly during the pandemic) exploring all that Belgium has to offer kids.

We’ll start our tour of the best hikes for kids in Central Europe here in Belgium. Next, we’ll cross borders to discover other mind-blowing trails on the west side of Central Europe. After reading this post, you will know why these Western-European countries are perfect to visit with kids.

1. Best hikes for kids in Belgium

Belgium is the fifth smallest country in the European Union. You may be most familiar with the large metropolitan cities of Brussels or Bruges, but did you know there are so many wonderful and kid-friendly nature hiking trails in Belgium?

The country of Belgium is an expert in combining outdoor adventure with art and culture. Interesting to know, Belgium has three different languages and regions:
- Flanders – Dutch
- Wallonia – French
- East Cantons – German
Not bad for such a tiny country. You can imagine the rich history Belgium has. Are you ready to be amazed by these fun places? Your kids will thank you later!

Kid-friendly art hikes in Bosland

Bosland is a multi-municipal project in the province of Limburg, Flanders, where children have the lead. With more than 5000 hectares of forests, this place is filled with wonderful hikes and kid-friendly adventures. Bosland is located in the province of Limburg, a perfect starting point for visiting other regions in Belgium. If you want to experience Limburg in a unique way, you can book a stay in the Tears Alley (Tranendreef). Sleeping in a tent hanging in the trees is a fantastic way of experiencing this magnificent area.

Butterflies in Cat Forest (Kattenbos)

The most impressive woodland of all we found is in the Kattenbos (Cat Forest). Within Cat Forest, not only will you find yourself surrounded by the most beautiful nature, but as you explore the woods, the evolution of a butterfly is shown in statues and art.

Created by environmental artist Will Beckers, kids can hike and get a step-by-step art explanation of how an egg transforms into caterpillar, then into a chrysalis, and then into a butterfly. The sculptures are not there only to admire, but to play on! All of the pieces in this interactive art installation are made for kids to climb, jump, and swing on!

This hike is about 2.2km long, which is perfect for even the tiniest ones. Of course, the butterfly process is not the only reason why to go to Cat Forest. Further along, you will come across the windmill of Leyssen and learn more about the history of this region.

You can do several other hiking trails through the heathlands and the pine trees. Every trail is well indicated with different colors and easy to find through the amazing landscape. And if you happen to go at the end of August and the first half of September, the forest turns the color purple for the heath blooming! It’s spectacular!

The Sahara in Belgium

In Bosland, you will also find the Lommelse Sahara, an area in Lommel, not too far from the Cat Forest. Again, environmental artist Will Beckers created sculptures for this fun kid-friendly area. This time he didn’t build sustainable metal animals, but he made constructions out of natural material, usually found in the same woods.

The highlight in the woodlands of the Sahara, is the 30-meter-high watchtower in the center of the domain. It takes 144 steps to reach the top, but it is well worth the effort! The view from top is magnificent. On a clear day, the panorama will stretch out to 25 km. This location is not a coincidence. From this point on top, the view reaches the entire area of Bosland. A unique location.

With little ones, we recommend hiking the blue trail, which is 3,1 km. On this hiking trail, kids can play on two interactive art installations close to the watchtower. Not too far from the parking lot (and hidden in the woods), the masterpieces of Will Becker are waiting to be discovered. If you have older kids, there are longer trails, such as the red trail (2 km), which received the award of Best Hiking Trail in Belgium.

Giants in De Schorre (Belgium)

Our absolute favorite hike in Flanders is the “giants hike” of Thomas Dambo. We just love how the trolls are hidden in the forest of De Schorre in Boom (Tree), where each and every year, the famous dance festival Tomorrowland takes place. You’ve probably heard of the giants designed by Thomas Dambo. You might even have seen them in other cities and countries spread all over the world (e.g. Copenhagen, Chicago, Miami, Mandurah, and Puerto Rico).

What is so fun about finding giants with kids? In De Schorre, seven giants are well-hidden deep within the forest, and there is no indication of where they might be. This means you will have to go in between the trees to seek them out, making it such a fun adventure for kids. Kids can look for the giants following a path, but also check in between the trees and leave the paved path.

To access one of the giants, you even have to make quite a climb! Kids (and adults) can climb on and around the giants and enjoy the most beautiful views in the forest.The first time we went, we spent quite a bit of time outside and didn’t even find all the trolls! But honestly, we didn’t need a reason to return one more time. Each and every season, this forest looks different, making it a place you can return to again and again and never get tired of exploring!

There is also a fun barefoot trail in between the giants. And if the little ones have a bit of energy left at the end, they can also have fun on the outdoor playground while exiting the forest. De Schorre is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Central Europe and one not to miss! This adventure can be easily combined with a stop in Antwerp, making it the perfect combination of nature and history!

Waterfalls on the trail of de la Hoegne

If you are looking for the most gorgeous pristine nature, you will find it in the Belgian Ardennes. This area is filled with picturesque tiny European villages, and gorgeous rivers meandering through the lush and dense forests. This area will amaze you day after day. The hike of La Hoegne, which is the name of the river, is unique because the trail will lead you over the river via bridges and passages.

The trail starts at the parking lot at the beginning of the promenade. Because there is no bridge to the parking lot, you have to pass through the river to park. Kids love it! Don’t worry; usually, the water isn’t too deep, and you can pass with the car.

At the start of the trail, the river is at its widest. Follow along the signs (white with blue cross), which you can’t miss. The hike is beautiful and kid-friendly. And because hiking with kids always requires snacks and food, somewhere in the middle of the trail, you will reach an open space in the forest where you can sit for a picnic. At this location, you can choose a hike of 10km or 12km. This is well indicated.

When you reach this point, it also means you’re close to the peak of the valley. It looks like you stepped into a fairytale. Our girls still talk about this hike and how beautiful it was. However, note that because of all the tiny bridges and roots popping out everywhere, it is definitely not suitable for buggies or strollers.

A few more kid-friendly hikes in Belgium

If you are seeking more fun hikes with kids in Belgium, you should check:
- Hoogstraten: Wortel Colony, De Mosten & Aschputten, The Strawberry tour
- The Music Forest in Ronse
- Terhills National Park in Maasmechelen
- Hoge Venen in the so called Hoge Venen-Eifel Nature Park
2. Best hikes for kids in the Netherlands (Holland)

When you are in Belgium, you can easily hop over to the Netherlands. From different points of Belgium, you might even cross the border and back again while out exploring. The two countries are very linked and intertwined. The Netherlands are located between Denmark, Germany, and Belgium. The country’s city population density is very high which makes it the second most dense country in Europe (after Malta). However, outside of the cities, the Netherlands have beautiful wide open plains and plenty of nature to explore! The landscape of Holland (as we call the Netherlands), is just extraordinary.

Let me guide you to two of the most amazing areas in Holland…

Texel – West Frisian Islands

The West Frisian Islands (Waddeneilanden in Dutch) is a group of small islands on the North Coast of the Netherlands at the Wadden Sea. This region has been placed on the Unesco World Heritage List. Typical for the West Frisian Islands are the wide open meadows filled with wide open beaches and red lighthouses. Not only is the landscape truly remarkable, but the nutrient-rich sea attracts fish, and marine mammals and is a popular stopover for migratory birds. The largest island of the West Frisian Islands is Texel.

Texel is a perfect nature-filled place to spend holidays with kids. You can go island-hopping, seal-watching, bird-spotting, and hike through the diverse landscapes. The first thing that is already unique and unforgettable about this adventure is the way to Texel. With the car, you drive right onto the ferry and take it out to the island. The excitement the kids experience while making the line at the port of Den Helder is incredible.

Once you’re on the island, there are a couple of must-see attractions. One of those are the Dunes of Texel National Park. This park has a variety of nature going from pine trees to sand dunes at the beach. With such an incredible and diverse landscape, your kids will never get bored! The hiking trails for kids in the enormous dunes are superb!

Also, be sure to be on the lookout for seals on the beaches of the island. You can spot seals on the island year-round. If you miss the seals on the beach, like us, you can also visit Ecomare, a shelter with only one mission: nurturing and caring for wounded seals.

Biking in the Netherlands and Texel sheep

Did you know Dutch people are born on bikes? Well, not really, but it sure seems that way! Bikes are so integrated into their culture that you’ll inevitably feel the need to get on a bike when you’re in Holland. So, instead of hiking from one side of the island to the other, consider riding a bike so that you can really take in the nature around you and discover all the little villages along the way.

Texel is also known for its sheep. Yes, you have read that right…sheep! They are everywhere and beloved by the people on the island. Plan on visiting a sheep farm with your little ones while you’re there. And don’t forget the beautiful lighthouse of De Cocksdorp! It’s a classic beautiful red one that you can still visit! A stay on Texel will be one to remember!

Mast Forest (Mastbos)

North Brabant covers four national parks of the Netherlands (Loonse and Drunense Dunes, The Biesbosch, the Big Peel, and Border Park De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide), with a wide range of nature and biodiversity. They are all worth visiting. This region has so much nature, history, and culture.

Close to Breda, you will find one of the most diverse woodlands in Holland. In the Mast Forest, kids can run freely, go gnome-seeking, build camps, climb trees, and so much more. When our girls were little, we introduced them to hiking via the wonderful paths in the Mast Forest, so this forest has a special place in our hearts.

A magical gnome tour takes you through the forest. For one and a half hours, your little ones will run, climb and seek! With a bit of storytelling, this will be a day never to forget. But there’s more than gnomes. You have the wooden paths through the fields, follow the river the Mark, walk next the Galder Lake, a summer hotspot for families. But you can also stop at the nature playground Bouverijen. Building camps, climbing wooden logs and climbing over the water is such a fun activity for kids.

The Netherlands have so much more to offer, but these two spots are a great way to start exploring nature in Holland!

More Dutch hikes

If you are seeking more fun hikes with kids in the Netherlands, check out the following locations:
- National Park the Veluwe
- Biesbosch in South-Brabant
- Utrechtse Heuvelrug
- Oranjezon in Zeeland
- Nature Monuments in Leikeven
3. Best hikes for kids in Germany

The Netherlands and Belgium border with Germany, so why not take advantage and combine all of these countries into one amazing trip?! One region we would definitely recommend that you visit with kids is the South Eifel region. Not only do you have beautiful nature and the most amazing hiking trails, but this area is so close to other amazing locations that it makes exploring easy for families.

Destinature Dorf

When we were exploring the area, the biggest (and most pleasant) hidden gem we found was the amazing hiking trails in Ernzen. When discovered this area a bit by accident when we were planning a visit to Müllerthal in Luxembourg. Seeking an authentic stay close to nature, we booked a stay in Germany, only minutes away from the Luxembourg border, in Destinature Dorf in Ernzen. Destinature Dorf is a nature village with the most powerful mission: sustainable tourism, using only natural and sustainable materials to build sophistically designed huts and tents connecting you with nature. This recently opened Nature Village has everything we needed as a nature-loving family.

Here’s a little secret. When you stay in Destinature Dorf in Ernzen, you can access another wonder of nature, Felsenweiher. There’s a set of stairs that leads you straight to the natural rock pond. We didn’t know this on our first visit, so one more reason to go back!

Devils Canyon in Südeifel

During our stay, we discovered some of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. This area guarantees an unforgettable holiday with your kids. If you want to score points, you can start off with the Teufelsschlucht Dinosaur Park in Ernzen. Just five minutes away from Destinature Dorf, you get to this incredible park, surrounded by nature. Next to the Dinosaur Park is the entrance of one of the most beautiful hikes for kids in Germany.

When you’re in the area, make your first stop at the Visitors Centre. That is where you will get more info on the different kinds of trails. We choose the shortest one, as our kids were very little at the time. In total, the hike was 1.8 km, but it takes over 2 hours to finish. It was magical! We found ourselves in a real-life fairy tale. The beautiful colors of the falling leaves, contrasting against the bright green of the moss, were mesmerizing! The trail took us to a canyon deep down the rocks. The view at the end of the gorge is breathtaking. The girls forgot about their tiredness and ran around enjoying the beauty of the site. Definitely, the Devil’s Canyon is a must when you are in Südeifel!

More kid-friendly hikes in Germany

If you are seeking more fun hikes with kids in Germany, you check out the following locations:
- Schwarzwald in Germany
- German Alpes
- Fairytales Tour via Edersee
- Vineyards in the Eifel Region
- Berchtesgaden in Beieren
4. Best hikes for kids in Luxembourg

Believe it or not, only a couple of minutes away from Devil’s Canyon (above), you will venture into another country and find the famous Müllerthal Trail in Luxembourg. This trail highlights nature in its purest form!

Schiessentümpel Waterfall on the Müllerthal Trail

The Schiessentümpel Waterfall on the famous Müllerthal Trail in Luxembourg had been on our hiking bucket list for years! This romantic waterfall is the hotspot of Müllerthal. At 500 m from the waterfall, you can find small parking lot. There are two ways to get to the waterfall by foot. You can follow the sidewalk, which is less adventurous. Or, you can follow the trail close to the rocks. We recommend planning your visit to the waterfall very early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. This touristy hotspot can get quite busy.

From the waterfall, you will see signs for different trails that you can take to explore the area. All of them are well indicated. The most popular trail for families with kids is trail B2. To start this trail, we recommend parking in Berdorf, close to the Tourist Centre. From there, you easily get to the first canyon. When you go along the trail, you eventually will arrive at the highest point of the trail where you have an amazing view.

Via Kalktüfquell to Schwartze Ernz

If you go the other way, it will lead you to one of the most beautiful places. From the Schiessentumpel waterfall, we followed trail W7, a hike of 10km. We didn’t finish it completely and went straight to the Kalktüfquell, a source with clear water.

From the source, you get to the beautiful decking paths of the Schwartse Ernz. Get ready for a beautiful walk between the rock formations. But don’t stop there! Next, head to the castles of Beaufort, about 15 mins from the hiking sites. There are so many treasures to visit in this area.

If you prefer to stay in less touristic place than Müllerthall, then look into staying at the Nature Hotel Destinature in Germany. It’s only a 20-minute drive, and you will be quiet, and relaxed while connected with nature!

More Luxemburg hikes for kids

If you are seeking more fun hikes with kids in Luxemburg, you should check out the following hikes:
- Hallerbach Trail with the castle of Beaufort
- Obersauer starting in Esch-sur-Sûre
- Hiking along the River of Clerve
- Vianden at the river the Our
Hiking four European countries in one trip

We hope this post has inspired you to consider adding a few hiking trails to your next Central European vacation. Of course, you can always explore Europe in the classic way by hopping from city to city, but we highly recommend getting off the beaten path (or onto another kind of beaten path) and adding some nature to your trip! Each of these places are a bit less known and will give you an unforgettable holiday outdoors, connecting with your family and nature.

Have you ever been hiking in Europe?

About the author

Tine is a natural-born adventurer from Belgium. She met her husband while working and living in the Dominican Republic. Nine years ago, they moved to Europe and are still exploring European grounds. Her happy place is wherever her 2 girls are, but she spices up life by discovering unknown places, planning new adventures, and going outdoors as much as possible. She loves seeing life through the eyes of her little ones, which lifted it to a completely different dimension. Their family goal is to travel the world, living a location-independent lifestyle. The family is now working on a couple of projects to make this dream happen! In the meantime, they keep on exploring, and Tine keeps on writing and inspiring other families to explore just like them.

You can find more from Tine online in the following locations:
Instagram: @kidsdelmundo
RWMC posts: Tine Voeten
Website: http://www.kidsdelmundo.com
CANOE/KAYAK, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS, NATIONAL PARKS
Exploring the Ozark Scenic Riverways with Kids
- January 8, 2023
The Ozark Scenic Riverways is a hidden jewel of the National Park system tucked along the backroads of southern Missouri. When this park was established in 1964, it became the first federally protected river system and provided the inspiration for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. While this region may be more off the beaten path, it offers crystal clear rivers, turquoise-blue natural springs, and historic structures. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares why her family loves visiting this beautiful area. Read on to learn how to explore the Ozark Scenic Riverways with Kids.

About the Ozark Scenic Riverways

This national park site is visited by about 1.2 million visitors a year. The Ozark Scenic Riverway park protects the spring-fed and free-flowing Current and Jack’s Fork rivers as well as several springs and historic sites located near these rivers. Since the park boundaries follow along the rivers, the park boundaries are long, narrow, and spread out.

The Ozark Scenic Riverways are a budget-friendly park to visit as there is no admission fee. The park is also open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Tips for visiting the Ozark Scenic Riverways

Since the area around the riverways is more remote, cell service can be spotty. It is recommended to download, print, or use paper maps as a backup. The majority of the park features can be found along paved highways. However, some points of interest are located along gravel roads which could be in rougher condition.

The towns along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in the area are small and spread out. Most of them do have gas stations and restaurants, but it’s recommended to keep the tank topped off and the cooler full of food and drinks. Most of the major attractions have picnic areas and make a great spot for a scenic lunch stop.

As this is a Scenic Riverway, the points of interest are located along the water. Use caution with kids around the water, as the springs, in particular, are very deep and cold.

Best time to visit the Ozark Scenic Riverways

If you wish to explore the park from the water, summer will be the best bet for visiting. Since the rivers are spring-fed, the water is cool and refreshing during the hot and humid summer days. Fall is another beautiful time, as the park is a wonderful place for great fall colors. If you visit in spring, you can enjoy the sites with mild temperatures and without the summer crowds. Winter can be a nice time to explore as well, but use caution as the roads are curvy and hilly and not a place to drive in winter weather conditions. Some of the lodging options and activities may also be closed in the off-season.

Ozark Riverways visitor centers

One of the best first places to stop when visiting a new park is the Visitor Center. The main park headquarters Visitor Information Center is located in Van Buren, Missouri (about a 2.5 hour drive from St. Louis). This center is open year-round with park exhibits and information. A smaller information center is located at Big Spring. Alley Spring also has an information center at the Alley Spring General Store.

Explore the Ozark Scenic Riverways by water

The Current and Jack’s Fork Rivers are known as some of the best rivers for floating in the Midwest. Due to the fact that the rivers are spring-fed, they are crystal clear and beautiful. You can also enjoy great views of rugged bluffs, deep woods, and cave openings. (Although most caves are closed to the public due to white-nose-syndrome.)

Many different outfitters are located in the area offering various options, including tubes, canoes, kayaks, and rafts. For younger kids, the canoes or rafts are great and are a safe option for all ages. Older kids and teens might enjoy the freedom of riding their own tube or kayak down the river.

At one time, this area was known for attracting more of a party-crowd. Missouri Department of Conservation, park rangers, and local law enforcement have really cracked down on rowdy behavior on the water and gravel bars to make this area safe and family-friendly. Styrofoam coolers and glass containers are also not allowed anywhere along the rivers.

Visit Alley Spring and mill

Alley Spring is the 7th largest spring in Missouri, pumping out 81 million gallons of water per day. The Alley Spring Mill is the most photographed spot in the Ozark Scenic Riverways, and for good reason. This stunning red mill stands tall and lovely next to the turquoise-blue spring waters. The mill was constructed in 1894 and was once part of a small community. This is a great family spot to visit, with a large parking area, restrooms, picnic areas, and a short and flat path.

The grounds of the mill are open anytime, while the inside of the mill is open during the summer months. You can step inside to view the milling equipment and stamp your National Parks Passport book. The Alley General Store is located near the mill and offers cultural exhibits and another passport stamping station.

The site also has a one-room schoolhouse. The doors of the schoolhouse are often open during the summer to take a peek inside and show kids what schools looked like in the past.

If you wish to stretch your legs a bit, you can take a short 0.3-mile hike around the spring pond and stream. The path starts behind the mill, circles the spring pond, and then crosses a bridge back to the front of the mill.

For a longer hike, consider the Alley Overlook Trail. This 1.3-mile trail is a bit more rugged. Starting behind the mill, it makes a steep climb to a birds-eye overlook of the mill and spring below. The trail levels off at the top for an easier hike before descending a set of switchbacks down to the river floodplain near the parking area.

The Big Spring area

If you only visit one spring of the Ozark Scenic Riverways, head to the grandaddy of them all…Big Spring. Big Spring has an average daily flow of 286 million gallons, making it one of the three largest springs in the United States. Underground passages carry water from as far as 45 miles away to emerge at the spring. The spring carries dissolved limestone, which turns the water into a beautiful turquoise blue.

Located near Van Buren, Big Spring was originally established as one of Missouri’s first state parks. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived and constructed trails and stone structures. Many of these rugged structures still stand today, although the dining lodge and cabins are currently undergoing extensive renovation. When the Ozark Scenic Riverways Park was created, the state of Missouri donated the land to the National Park Service.

A great thing about Big Spring is that the view of the spring is handicap accessible. A flat path leads along the water to an overlook of the spring and a small cave opening. Another accessible trail, called the Slough Trail, starts just north of the spring. This path travels through a forest and past interpretive exhibits explaining the history and culture of the area.

If you want a more rugged hike, consider the 1 mile Spring Branch Trail. The trailhead is found at the base of the limestone cliff from which Big Spring emerges. The path loops around the spring and follows the spring branch towards the Dining Lodge.

The Big Spring area has several more beautiful springs, hiking trails, a campground, picnic areas, restrooms, horseback riding, and a boat launch.

Explore Round Spring

Round Spring is another great place to visit on the Ozark Scenic Riverways. Located just north of Eminence, this area has several significant natural features, including freshwater springs. The spring can be viewed by following a short and flat path from the parking area. Like the other springs in the area, Round Spring is also a rich shade of blue.

Another natural feature at this site is the Round Spring Cave. During the summer months, the park service offers two-hour lantern tours of the cave. The ranger-led tour of the Round Spring Cavern is somewhat strenuous. Tickets are only available for purchase on-site, with no reservations. We haven’t been able to tour this cave yet, but I have heard it is beautiful.

The Round Spring area also has hiking trails, a campground, picnic areas, and restrooms.

View the brilliant Blue Spring

The Ozark Scenic Riverways actually has two springs known as “Blue Spring.” Of the two, the one along the Current River is a must-see destination. Native Americans called this water “Spring of the Summer Sky” due to the vivid blue hue. At 310 feet deep, this is one of the deepest springs in the country. The Statue of Liberty would actually fit completely underwater if dropped into the spring!

This spring is a little trickier to reach compared to the others mentioned above. You must follow a long and steep dirt road for several miles off Highway 106. It is not recommended for RVs, but passenger cars should handle it fine in most weather conditions. (I have driven the road in both a car and SUV, and it was always well-graded.)

The dirt road leads to a parking area with vault restrooms. Follow the path to the left of the parking area, and it is an easy 0.25-mile walk along a dirt path to the spring.

There is a wooden boardwalk that leads across the water for a closer look. Another path travels up the left side of the rock bluff to reach an overlook above the spring.

Discover the unique Welch Spring and hospital

By itself, Welch Spring is just another lovely spring of the Ozark Scenic Riverways. However, this spring also has an interesting history and even mysterious ruins to view.

Back in 1913, an Illinois doctor named Dr. Diehl actually purchased Welch Spring. He believed that the spring water and air had healing properties for those with breathing conditions or diseases such as asthma or tuberculosis. Dr Diehl decided to tap the clean air by building a hospital over the mouth of the cave where Welch Spring flowed. However, travel to this remote area was difficult. While visitors did come from the area and neighboring states, the hospital and resort were not a success and fell into ruin after the doctor’s death in 1940.

The spring and ruins can still be viewed today. A well-graded gravel road leads to the parking area for the Welch Spring Trail. A flat, 0.5-mile path leads along the river to a view of the spring and hospital ruins. However, you will be on the opposite side of the spring and only have a view of the hospital from a distance.

Make a splash at Rocky Falls

If your kids are looking for a safe and fun spot to play in the water along these beautiful spring-fed rivers, head to Rocky Falls. This scenic 40′ waterfall tumbles down a set of rocky shut-ins into a clear and shallow pool below.

The falls are a very short walk from the parking area, and there are also benches and a restroom.

Places to stay near the Ozark Scenic Riverways

You have multiple options for lodging in the Ozark Scenic Riverways with kids. If you wish to camp, there are both established campgrounds and backcountry camping options. Many of the campgrounds are located right next to scenic sites such as Big Spring or Alley Spring.

The two largest towns near the riverways are Van Buren and Mountain View, Missouri. Both of these towns offer hotel options. The charming small town of Eminence is centrally located to many sites and offers several motels and cabin options.

If you wish for a more plush stay, the lodge or cabins at Echo Bluff State Park can be a great option. This state park is located just north of Eminence and offers a restaurant, lodge, cabins, campground, playground, splash pad, hiking trails, horse trails, and a scenic view of Echo Bluff and Sinking Creek. Sinking Creek is clear and shallow and perfect for kids to play. You may even be lucky enough to see the wild horses that often roam through the park.

Why you should visit the Ozark Scenic Riverways with kids

I hope learning about the scenic springs, rivers, and historic sites of the Ozark Scenic Riverways has inspired you to make a visit to this National Park site. These backroads destinations may be less well-known than other National Parks, but the natural beauty will take your breath away.

Have you ever been to the Ozark Scenic Riverways?

About the author

Sara Lesire has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Best Kids Hiking Shoes
- September 21, 2022
Hiking is one of the most accessible and fun outdoor adventures for kids and families. You usually don’t need to go far to go for a hike, making it a great quick and easy activity for most families to do with little prep work or planning. But, gear-wise, what do you need to go hiking? Does your child need special hiking shoes or hiking boots? And if so, what are the best hiking shoes for kids? Today, Sara Lesire, Midwest adventure mom of two, is here to help you navigate the options of the best kids hiking shoes. With some help from Run Wild My Child team members and other outdoor adventure families, we also have first-hand reviews of many of the top brands and styles, plus our top picks.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Best hiking shoes for kids

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities for families. There is little overhead cost or prep required, and it can be easily done close to home. When a family is just getting started hiking, a standard pair of children’s athletic shoes can do a decent job of keeping little toes safe and comfortable. However, if hiking becomes a common family activity, it can become well worth it to invest in a solid pair of hiking shoes or boots.

Hiking shoes can provide added comfort, stability, durability, and protection on the trail for both little kids and big kids. But there are so many options and brands to choose from. If you aren’t sure where to start or which brands are worth the price, this post is for you!

Why hiking shoes are important

My kids have been hiking since they could walk. They have hiked in sandals, rain boots, tennis shoes, Crocs, jellies, and sparkly princess shoes (not recommended!). When they were young, they outgrew shoes quickly and spent very little time actually hiking on their own two legs (versus riding in a hiking backpack). However, as they grew and wanted to spend more time on the ground or splashing through creeks, it became more important to invest in a solid pair of hiking shoes for kids (or hiking boots) that would provide added safety and comfort.

Types & styles of kids’ hiking shoes

There are several different styles of kids’ hiking shoes available, depending on what type of terrain your family will be hiking and which style feels most comfortable for your kids. In their most basic form, hiking shoes for kids can be categorized into three types: (1) hiking sandals, (2) trail runners, and (3) hiking boots. Let’s go over each style of hiking shoe and when/where it’s best to have each type.

1. Kids’ hiking sandals

Are you planning short hikes, sandy trails, or trails with lots of water crossings? If so, you might consider hiking trail sandals. Hiking sandals provide more durability and stability than normal sandals or water shoes. Most dedicated hiking sandals are designed to be well-ventilated and quick to dry. They can also keep feet cooler during hot weather. However, they do leave feet more exposed and may not be the best option for long, rugged, or overgrown terrain.

Photo credit: @ExploreSTLparks

2. Kids’ trail runners

For many kids, trail runners may be a good all-around option for hiking shoes. Designed to fit more like traditional athletic shoes, these low-cut styles can fit more comfortably and are similar to shoes they are used to wearing. You can also save money by using this style of shoes for everyday play, as well as hitting the trails.

A downside of trail runners is that they offer less ankle support and may not have as much grip for rugged terrain. While some trail runners are waterproof, your child may step in water that is deep enough to go right over the top (speaking from experience!) and they take longer to dry out.

3. Kids’ hiking boots

If your family is planning to hike long trails, climb mountains, or hike in the snow, then hiking boots may be a good investment. The higher cut of kids hiking boots offers better ankle support and more protection from rocks, brush, and snakes. Older kids who may carry a backpack with gear may benefit from hiking boots as they are putting more pressure on their feet. Many hiking boots are also waterproof.

The downsides to hiking boots are that they make take more time for kids to get accustomed to, can be too bulky and heavy for little feet, and can be hot when hiking during the summer months.

Features of kids’ hiking shoes

Kids’ hiking shoes or hiking boots offer several advantages over other styles of shoes for outdoor adventures. You may come across several different terms and wonder which features are the best options for your family based on the types of trails you will be tackling. Here’s a quick overview of the features you may want to look for in a kids’ hiking shoe, based on your location, terrain, and needs.

Comfort

Comfort is the most important feature of any type of boy or girl hiking shoe. Shoes that are not comfortable or don’t fit properly can lead to blisters, sore feet, and more whines per mile. While there can be some breaking in time for new shoes, hiking shoes or boots should still feel comfortable right out of the box. Adding a comfy pair of wool-blend hiking socks can provide added comfort and breathability while keeping children’s feet, heels and little toes blister-free.

Style of lacing

Can your child tie their own laces easily and quickly? While laces offer more options for customizing the fit and can be replaced if they break, they can also be hard for little hands. Untied laces can be a safety hazard as well, causing kids to trip. Many styles of kids’ trail runners and hiking sandals use velcro or bungee laces that are much easier for kids to put on themselves. (And kids can take foreeeever to put on shoes!)

Durability

Another important thing you’ll want to consider is durability. You want your shoe investment to last. Cheaper options may not be as durable, but you can afford to replace them more often if your child’s feet are growing quickly. More expensive brands offer more durability, which is important if your family hikes often or for older kids whose foot growth has slowed down. Longer-lasting, more durable shoes will also be in better condition to pass down to another child, if you have more than one kid.

Reinforced toes

Whichever style of hiking shoe you settle on, reinforced toes or bumpers are so important. Not only do they offer extra protection from stubbed toes, but think about how often your kids like to drag their toes along the ground or stick them into every rock or puddle. Reinforced toes will prolong the life of the shoe.

Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

Traction

Traction is very important for hiking safely. especially if you hike in wet, snowy, or rugged conditions. Traction is also handy to avoid falls when kids find a fun pile of rocks to climb or are out on muddy hikes. Rubber soles are helpful when you’re traversing wet or rocky terrain. You can test the traction by having your kids try to slide or rub the sole of the shoes across the floor when trying them on. The flexibility of the sole of the shoe can make a big difference in how much traction you’ll get when hiking. Knobby soles also help with traction.

Support

Support is another important hiking shoe feature. Look for hiking shoes or boots that offer good support for the sole, arch, and toes. If you have a kid that rolls their ankle or is hiking long trails, the added ankle support of hiking boots versus trail runners may be a good option. Longer hikes may require additional support.

Waterproofing

There are pros and cons to waterproof shoes. If you are hiking in cooler or snowy conditions, waterproofing becomes important. Or if you have a child that can’t stand wet feet. However, waterproof shoes do take longer to dry and water can still enter the shoe if is submerged long enough or deep enough. As waterproof shoes are more sealed, they can trap odors and make for warmer feet in summer. With how often my kids’ feet end up in the water, we tend to go with waterproof shoes!

How to shop for kids’ hiking shoes

There are several factors that can go into deciding which style or brand of hiking shoe will be the best fit for your child. Here are some important factors that you’ll need to consider when shopping for kids’ hiking shoes.

Consider the seasons and weather

Will your hikes be more in the summer months when your child may wish for a lighter and more breathable pair of shoes? Or will your hikes be in a colder climate or in the snow where waterproofing, insulated linings, and a higher cut would be important? Does your climate have a lot of rain where a waterproof shoe is a necessity?

Consider the terrain you’ll be hiking

Are your hikes mostly on paved paths or well-groomed trails? A child’s regular athletic shoes may be sufficient, or a pair of trail runners could be a good option. If your hikes are longer, on rugged terrain, or involve water, then it may be time to look for a good pair of comfortable hiking shoes or boots for safer and happier hikes. Certain brands of hiking shoes also offer extra grip for slick and rough terrain to avoid slips or falls.

Let kids try hiking shoes on in person

Always give kids hiking shoes or boots a thorough test for fit. Bring along the socks they will be wearing to the store as the thickness of the sock can make a big difference in fit. Have your child walk around the store and lean forward and back to check for enough room at the toe while making sure their heel doesn’t rub or pop out. Some outdoor stores even have mini rock walls kids could climb (or stairs) to check comfort and grip.

Hiking shoe break-in period

While new hiking shoes and new hiking boots should feel pretty comfy out of the box, take the time to walk some easy and short trails to help break the shoes in better to avoid sore feet or blisters on a long hike. Some brands and outdoor stores even have generous return policies or guarantees if you decide the fit isn’t right after a short stroll on the trail and want to return items within a certain number of days of the original purchase. Comfortable shoes make for happy kids.

How to save money on kids’ hiking shoes

Kids hiking shoes can be an investment and can cost more than other styles of shoes. However, there are some ways to help stretch your outdoor shopping dollars.

Select the size for longer wear

You always want to buy shoes that fit well, but are on the generous side to allow for some room for growth. If the weather permits, you can always start with thicker socks and transition down to slightly thinner socks as the child’s foot grows. Just make sure the shoe or boot is not too loose to avoid blisters.

Plan for hand me downs

Kids will most likely outgrow a hiking shoe before they wear it out. If you have multiple kids, try to shop for a hiking shoe in a color and style that will work for multiple kids to help with the cost.

Shop end of season

If you aren’t in a hurry or want to buy ahead, try waiting for end-of-season sales. I always buy winter boots in February when stores start to put them on clearance. Hiking sandals may be on sale towards the end of summer. The tricky part can be trying to decide which size growing feet will be in the following year.

Shop used

Again, kids will usually outgrow a pair of good hiking shoes before they wear them out. So, shopping second-hand is a great option. I have been fortunate to find name-brand and barely used hiking shoes and sandals at consignment sales, yard sales, thrift shops, online marketplaces, and local yard sales in really good condition. You might be able to find local stores or swap sites that offer gently used kids’ shoes or boots. When buying used, check the shoes over carefully for signs of wear, broken laces, or other issues.

Best brands of kids hiking sandals

Best all-around kids hiking sandals: Keen

Keen hiking sandals are a very popular hiking option with outdoor adventure families and get high marks from our team of moms. The company has its own line called Keen Kids, which offers numerous colors, patterns, and styles of hiking sandals for kids from toddler through big kids sizes.

Pros: Keen Newport and Seacamp sandals are easy even for little hands to get on and off. One great feature is that the sandals are machine washable for easy cleaning after a muddy trail. Keens have a reinforced toe for durability plus a closed toe to help keep out rocks. The Seacamp sandals offer more flexibility while the Newport line has a thicker sole for added protection.

Jen from Wandering Vaethfully states that Keen sandals are top-notch for summer and her family has owned several styles over the years. Her family loves how they grip well and appreciate the freedom the kids’ sandals give for water crossings. No more worrying about sloshing in trapped water in a closed shoe. As a bonus, the shoes are very quick to dry when wet to provide an easy transition between water and dry land.

Stephanie from Explore STL Parks also loves Keen Newport sandals for how durable, supportive, and versatile they are. Her family loves how sturdy the hiking sandals are with movement, especially side to side. Keens provide a good grip and traction for her kids when they climb boulders on hikes.

Cons: While the Keens are great for spring and summer hiking, they do lack ankle support for tougher terrain. The price can also be a barrier to some families.

Photo credit: @wanderingvaethfully

Best value kids hiking sandals: HOBIBEAR

If you need a more budget-friendly option, HOBIBEAR costs about half that of bigger brands while still receiving over 7,000 high ratings on Amazon.

Pros: They offer sizes from toddler through big kid and a range of colors. HOBIBEARs offer a flexible and lightweight shoe with a cushioned footbed and adjustable velcro strap. Macquel from Colorado With Kiddos loves how quickly the HOBIBEAR hiking sandals are to dry when hiking to the many beautiful Colorado streams and lakes and finds them a good value for the price.

Cons: Not as durable as Keens, toe reinforcement is not as strong.

Photo credit: @coloradowithkiddos

Best budget kids hiking sandals: Dream Pairs

Dream Pairs offers another affordable option. My kids enjoyed these when they were younger and hiked shorter distances or spent more time playing in creeks.

Pros: The Dream Pairs hiking sandals have breathable mesh, a flexible sole, and sturdy toe bumpers. We also appreciated that the webbing along the sides had smaller openings which helped prevent rocks from entering the sandal. While they are not as durable as more expensive brands, they can be a smart savings choice for fast-growing feet.

Cons: Less durable than higher-priced brands. There are two straps required to put the shoe on, which can be tricky for little hands.

Best kids’ hiking trail runners

Best all-around multipurpose kids trail runners: Merrell

Merrell is one of the most popular brands of kids’ trail runners. Their hiking shoes can be a great option for kids to go straight from the school or the playground onto a hiking trail. The Merrell Kids Trail Chaser model is a great lightweight option available in a range of colors.

Pros: The Trail Chasers have an easy hook and loop closure, a comfy footbed, and a non-marking outsole with a flexible grip. The suede and mesh construction provides both durability and breathability. These shoes often are on sale or available at outdoor outlet locations, making them often a great buy.

Cons: Cost is a little high when full price. Not waterproof, although reviewers say they do offer some water resistance.

Best lightweight kids trail runners: Salomon

Salomon is known for their high-quality outdoor gear for both kids and adults.

Pros: Adventure mom Nichole Holze loves Salomon Speedcross trail running shoes for her kids. They’re super lightweight and can handle getting wet. The rugged knobs on the bottom of the soles provide unbeatable traction in slick and tough terrain.

Cons: The main con is that the Salomon brand tends to be pricey.

Photo credit: @coleyraeh

Best budget lightweight trail runners: Hawkwell

Hawkwell kids offers a great kids outdoor hiking shoe at a low price. My son actually wore these as everyday shoes to school and the playground as we managed to snag a pair during a sale.

Pros: Great price. The Hawkwell hiking shoes are lightweight and breathable. The foam footbed provides comfort, and the traction is decent for the price. The hook and loop closure makes it easy for kids to get on and off themselves.

Cons: The toe protection is not the best and they are not as durable as more expensive brands. They also run more narrow compared to other brands.

Best budget waterproof trail runners: Biacolum

Biacolum hiking shoes are a good waterproof kids hiking shoe option at a lower price. My daughter has worn these shoes in two different sizes over the past couple years and we’ve been happy with them for the price point.

Pros: We have been very impressed with the waterproofing on the Biacolum hiking shoes during rainy day hikes and creek crossings. These shoes also offer a good grip on the soles for good traction.

Cons: While they do have a velcro closure, the shoes have been a little trickier to get on compared to other velcro shoes as the tongue does not lift up quite as far. The price on these can vary widely online, so keep an eye out to snag these at a true budget price.

Best trail runners for teens: Oboz

Oboz is a popular outdoor gear brand that is known for making high-quality and durable hiking shoes.

Pros: Jen from Go Family Adventure has an older teen son who prefers Oboz brand low-cut style hiking shoes. Oboz offers many styles and colors in both waterproof and non-waterproof options. Her son likes how they are stylish and comfortable enough for everyday use in addition to hitting the trails.

Cons: Oboz shoes start at $125 a pair, so the cost can be a splurge. They are only available in adult sizes, so they are not an option for younger hikers.

Photo credit: @sara_mccarty

Best kids’ hiking boots

Best hiking boots for toddlers: L.L. Bean

There aren’t a lot of hiking boot options out there for the littlest of feet. L.L. Bean makes highly rated toddler trail model hikers so the youngest of your family can join in all the adventures in safety and comfort.

Pros: The taller cut, durable heel, and toe bumpers provide extra protection toddlers need against rocks and debris. The boots feature a wide opening and hook-and-loop strap for easy on and off. The boots feature waterproofing to keep little feet safe and dry. The model is based on their adult train model hiking boots and then field-tested on kids.

Cons: The shoes are only available in toddler sizes 5-9. The cost can be hard to justify for kids that may not hike long distances or who outgrow shoes quickly.

Alternate option: The See Kai Run Sam Waterproof Boots come in both toddler (1-4 years) and little kid sizes (4-8 years). These lightweight shoes have classic waterproof hiking boot styling with easy elastic lace closure, flexible sole, and a durable rubber toe cap.

Best all-around kid’s hiking boot brand: Merrell

Merrell is one of the top hiking boot brands for all ages. They offer a wide variety of hiking boot styles for kids from sizes 4 toddler to big kids size 7.

Pros: Jamie from Learning to Adventure loves the Merrell Kids Moab 2 hiking boot for her kids. She loves the durability, ankle support, toe protection, and waterproofing. Her family has hiked all over the Midwest in these through water, rain, and both flat and rocky terrain. The mix of leather and mesh materials keeps feet cooler in hotter temps. They also work great for kiddos with wider feet.

Michelle from Wonder Club Explorers is a big fan of Merrell Moab Speed Waterproof Mid Boot. They’ve been great for her 8-year-old and should work well for ages 6-10. They are waterproof but not clunky and have worked well on hikes of several hours. They are designed with moisture-wicking technology to prevent sweaty feet, while the mesh uppers of the boot allow breathability.

Cons: The big disadvantage of Merrell hiking boots can be the higher cost. Many Merrell boots run wide, so kids with more narrow feet may be prone to blisters if their feet slide around in the shoe. The laces are also not the sturdiest or longest compared to some other brands. They have also discontinued some of the styles that off-hook and loop closures instead of laces.

Photo credit: @wonderclubexplorers

Photo credit @learningtoadventure

Best waterproof kids hiking boot: Columbia

Columbia’s Newton Ridge hiking boot is one of the top models in both adult and kids sizes. I actually wear this style in women’s for all my cooler weather, snowy, or longer terrain hikes.

Pros: The Columbia hiking boots for kids feature a leather upper waterproof coating as well as a waterproof seam-sealed membrane, making them a good snow hiking boot. These boots are not as clunky or heavy as other waterproof boots. The soles have a good grip and non-marking rubber. These fit well on wider kid’s feet.

Cons: The leather construction is less breathable than boots that feature mesh uppers. These shoes also have laces instead of an easier hook-and-loop closure.

Best hiking boots for older kids: Salomon

Pros: Jen from @gofamilyadventure‘s teenage son prefers Salomon hiking boots for their durability and ankle support. These sturdy boots are good for older children as they go all the way up to big kid size 7.5.

Cons: Salomon boots run higher in cost than some other brands.

Best budget water-resistant boots: Deer Stag

My son has owned a couple of pairs of Deer Stag Jr. Hikers over the years, and they have always provided comfort and support on miles of trails. While they don’t have quite the level of features as higher prices brands, they can provide a good mix of value and quality.

Pros: While the price of these Deer Stags kids hikers can fluctuate online, we have always managed to find these boots at a great price. While they are only labeled water-resistant and not fully waterproof, they have done a good job of keeping my son’s feet dry during creek crossings and light rain. They have a thick and cushioned sole and some extra toe protection.

Cons: Most Deer Stag hiking boots have laces instead of easier hook-and-loop. The laces are not as long as I would prefer to allow double-tying. While the grip is pretty good, we have had other boots with better traction.

Best snow hiking boot: Keen

Once again, Keen provides a great brand option when shopping for hiking boots for both small kids and big kids for winter adventures or hikes in the snow. The Keen Greta Waterproof Boot is a highly rated option for both building snowmen or hiking through the snowy woods.

Pros: These kids’ snow boots are available in both little and big kid sizes and in a few different styles to best fit your child’s feet. These boots are both waterproof and breathable. Multi-direction lugs on the soles provide optimal grip for sure footing and great traction in the most rugged terrain. The insulation and fleece lining inside these boots are rated down to -25° F. The hook-and-loop strap makes the boots easy to get on and off.

Cons: These are one of the higher-priced models of kids’ Keen hiking boots, but sales are frequent. The soles can be a little stiff as thicker boots are usually less flexible.

Best budget cold weather boots: JMFCHI

Pros: If you are planning on hiking in cold or slick conditions, these JMFCHI snow boots are a great option. They have a unique pop-out metal crampon that can provide extra grip in slick conditions. The boots have a plush and warm lining inside, while the higher cut helps keep snow out. While the boots are labeled water resistant and not waterproof, my son’s feet stayed dry during several hikes in the snow while wearing these boots all last winter.

Cons: Not fully waterproof. The insulated lining can lead to sweaty feet.

Find the hiking shoes for the trails you hike most

While all the options and styles of hiking shoes can be overwhelming (both in features and price), we hope this post will help you focus on finding the pair for the style of trails your family likes to hike the most.

For younger kids, it may be better to start with trail runners that can serve as multi-purpose shoes for normal play and sports, as well as handling the trails. Older children who may hike more rugged and longer trails might benefit from the added features and support of hiking boots.

Finally, if you mostly venture outside only in summer or to play in creeks or beaches, then a pair of hiking sandals might be a smart choice. Hopefully, this guide gives you a place to start on your shopping journey!

More hiking with kids resources

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
Do you have a favorite style or brand of kids’ hiking shoes?

About the author

Sara has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
BIKE, CAMP, FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE
Ultimate List of Outdoor Gear for Kids
- August 22, 2022
It’s no secret that when it comes to outfitting our kids for the great outdoors, the options are endless, and the choices can get overwhelming. While we all know that a box and a pile of sticks can allow for endless hours of unstructured entertainment, that’s not going to keep kids warm or safe when exploring. When we’re ready to take our adventures past the front yard and to the next level, what outdoor gear do kids need? Today, our gear-guru and PNW mountain mom of 4, RyAnn Peverly is here to go over the best outdoor gear for kids and give you recommendations to save you time, research, and money.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Outdoor gear for kids

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And we know that quality outdoor kids’ gear will last longer and do better in extreme circumstances. But what gear is worth spending money on for your kids? What makes the most sense to invest in for the whole family?

You certainly don’t need a garage packed with all the latest and greatest in the outdoor industry, but a few well-made key pieces will ensure an endless supply of family fun. From water bottles to day packs, sun hats to rain jackets, and everything in between, this is your ultimate list of gear for your outdoorsy kids.

Best outdoor clothing for kids

You might be asking yourself why your kids need special clothes when going on adventures outdoors. The short answer is…they don’t (or at least not always). Your everyday outdoor trip to the park or neighborhood stroll isn’t going to require anything fancy. However, the more time you spend outdoors, the more adventurous your outings will become and the more your kids will be in the elements. And sometimes adventures call for special outdoor gear.

Just like all our outdoor gear listed, these clothing items each have a specific purpose. The right clothing is the best way to keep your kids comfortable when adventuring outside. I always look at buying good quality outdoor clothing as an investment in our fun. The more comfortable we are outside, the longer we can play and the more time we can spend outdoors. And it’s always good to remember that just a few key pieces can keep us outside all year long.

Best base layers (merino wool)

The first clothing items I always make sure to have on hand (for both kids and adults) are a couple of good sets of wool base layers. These pieces can be used alone on warmer days or can add a much-needed layer of comfort on those chilly winter escapades. One of our favorite brands that makes beautiful, soft layers is NUI Organics. I love their collection of soft merino wool, which comes in a variety of beautiful solid gender-neutral colors (so they can be passed down kid to kid). This company, in particular, is great because they carry layers for the entire family (adults included).

Check out our post on the Best Merino Wool Layers for Kids for a comprehensive list of the best wool brands, clothing options, and price points.

Best outdoor shirts for kids

When it comes to what my kids wear on top, I like to keep a few quick-dry athletic shirts ready to grab, especially for those warmer months. A shirt that allows sweat to wick away from their bodies means more comfort and less complaining. Good options for athletic shirts are merino wool or synthetic materials. Most of our athletic t-shirts come from the All In Motion line at Target.

Another top layer I like to keep in our closets is a quality long-sleeve sun-shirt. A good sun-shirt means this mama knows my kids are being protected from UV rays, and I get to worry less about the last time I applied sunscreen. Our favorite sun-shirts are the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Sun Hoodie, the REI Co-op Sahara Sun Hoodie, and the Veyo Kids Sun Hoodies.

Pants/ shorts (or a combination thereof)

Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I’ve learned that clothes that serve a dual purpose are the ones I reach for the most. And that goes for the pants and shorts that I buy my kids. My favorites are those that are great for more than one activity or are convertible. A good pair of convertible hiking pants means I don’t have to pack shorts for when my son says he’s too hot or wants to go splashing in rivers or lakes.

My favorite convertible hiking pants for kids are the ones with zippers by the ankles so that we don’t have to worry about taking off shoes during the transition. These Sahara pants from REI are great because they also have an adjustable waist. In addition to pants, it’s great to have shorts that our kids can wear hiking on the trails, and go straight to jumping right in the big blue lake. One brand that our whole family wears is the Patagonia Baggies.

Kids’ rain gear

If your kids are anything like mine, a little rain never deters the need to get outside and play! It’s actually even better because puddle jumping is one of their greatest joys. Using both feet to generate the perfect splash can mean hours of fun. But, once they get wet and the chill starts to set in, then the adventure is over.

When picking out rain gear that will last through it all, I like to look for three things. (1) The items must be waterproof, not just water resistant. Water resistant is great for a light drizzle, but will not be able to handle a full soaking. (2) I like jackets that are breathable. This allows the child’s perspiration to wick away from their body so that they are not wet inside and out. (3) I like gear that has closures on the wrists, ankles, hood, and hems. Adjustable closures help to seal in the warmth, and keep the rain out.

For all our recommendations on rainy day kids gear, check out our full post on the Best Rain Gear for Outdoor Kids.

Best rain jackets, pants and rain suits for kids

The REI Co-op Rainwall Jacket and Rainwall Pants are great options for a two-piece set. For the younger kids, full-body rain suits are a great choice because there is little to no worry about their underlayers getting wet when the weather turns. Our longtime favorite rain suit for everyday wet adventures has been the Oaki trail suit, but we also really love the Polarn O. Pyret Rain Shell with interior fleece-lining for colder rainy day adventures.

Best outdoor kids rain boots

If you’re going to spend any time outside in the rain (or live in a wet/damp place like the PNW), rainboots are essential gear for kids. Rainboots allow our children to splash around and keep their feet nice and toasty throughout the day. Over the last 22 years of purchasing boots, the Bogs Classic insulated boots continue to prove they are a wise investment. These boots truly stand up to the tough demands of kids, don’t leak, and last a long time. They’re some of the only boots we’ve been able to pass down to the next kid after wearing through a season or two.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out Lone Cone’s classic rain boots with handles and their all-weather neoprene mud boots. All three of my kids have Lone Cone boots and love them!

Best jackets, coats, and insulating layers for kids

When those summer months start to turn cool, it’s important to keep a warmer layer close by. A good mid-layer like a fleece or puffy jacket (synthetic or down) will add just enough warmth to keep the play going well into those chilly temps. The insulating layer retains the heat your child is generating, keeping them nice and warm. One style that we have gone back to time and time again is a classic fleece from Columbia that features fun designs and bright colors that all kids are sure to love.

We also love the Performance Eco Wind Fleece from Polarn O. Pyret for a light layer that keeps the heat in and wind out. If you want something warmer that can take you into winter, a soft down jacket is nice. The Patagonia Nano Puff is a great option, as is the Polarn O. Pyret Lightweight Puffer.

Best footwear for outdoor kids

Shoes and footwear fall into the category of outdoor gear for kids that you’ll want to have on hand for all your adventures. If your kids are anything like mine, it really doesn’t matter to them what shoes they throw on. They will still jump, run and climb all the things in any shoe they have available. And we really could let them continue that way, but what they put on their feet does make a difference when venturing outdoors. A good pair of shoes suited to the day’s activity means they stay comfortable, with their feet protected, and the day can last longer.

Outdoor kids’ tennis shoes and kids’ hiking shoes

When it comes to shoes for outdoorsy kids, I like to purchase a pair that can be used on outdoor adventures as well as during P.E. After testing multiple brands and styles I find I reach for the same brand time after time. The Salomon Speedcross Jr. is a lightweight, breathable, quick-dry shoe that has a sole with great traction.

Sometimes a waterproof hiking boot is a better option depending on the type of outdoor adventures your family prefers. If you’re going to hit a hiking trail, a good hiking boot offers ankle stability, a flexible sole, and good traction. If hiking boots are more your style, you can’t go wrong with one like the Merrell Greylock Waterproof Hiking Boots.

Best water shoes for kids

A good pair of water shoes are great for summer adventures. They’re great for exploring creeks, playing in splash pads, and adventuring anywhere your kids will be in and out of water. If you’re looking for a lightweight amphibious shoe, the Vivobarefoot Kids Ultra Bloom is a fantastic option. They’re made from bloom foam which takes harmful algae blooms out of waterways, reversing the effects of water pollution. They’re also super light, bendy, and fast-drying for adventures over land and water. If you’re looking for something that does better in sand, we’ve had good luck with the Speedo Surf Knit water shoes for kids.

Best socks for kids

Socks are another one of those items that you might be asking yourself why your kids need a “special” kind. But, just like the shoes we put on our feet, a good pair of socks can be the difference between a comfortable long walk in the woods or the need for bandaids and blister care. We often go for a good pair of wool socks that help wick sweat, provide cushion, and are long-lasting, like these hiker socks from Darn tough.

Best hiking gear and equipment for families

Often when we think of outdoor adventures, we think of wandering down dirt paths, watching as our kids stop to explore under rocks and roots. Getting outside and hitting the trails can be one of the best ways to spend a day with our outdoorsy kids. Whether it’s a day hike at one of our national parks or just a stroll around your local park, hiking and exploring go hand in hand. But, sometimes that can be hard to do with really little kids, or multiple kids. However, with the right hiking gear and equipment, we can enjoy our outdoor time together with them at any age. Here are some of our favorite tried-and-tested recommendations for outdoor gear for kids (and adults) that will help you get outside and down the trail with your kids easier!

Best outdoor and off-road strollers

A good off-road stroller is a great investment for a family that loves time outdoors. An all-terrain stroller means even the littlest family member can join in the fun, and no one has to be left behind. A stroller with mountain bike suspension and a handbrake makes even the roughest terrain easier to navigate. A great option is the BOB Revolution Pro.

If you’re looking for a stroller that serves a dual-purpose as a bike trailer, the Burley Encore X is a fantastic option. It’s a double biking trailer that comes with a stroller kit (handlebar and front wheel). This makes it super easy to go from biking the trails to strolling the streets with your kiddo(s) in tow. The trailer has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.). For more info, check out our full review of the Burley Encore X trailer.

Feature image credit: @somerpickel

Baby and child carriers

Child carriers are also a great way to get your whole family out for a day on the trails. Once your tiniest family member is sitting up on their own, a child carrier is essential hiking gear that will keep the adventure going. Features to look for when selecting a structured child carrier are a well-padded hip belt, and shoulder straps and an adjustable torso fit so that both parents can easily use the carrier. Other features to take into account are the child safety harness system and an adjustable seat so your kid can sit comfortably no matter how long the ride is.

Our top two choices for child carriers for young kids are the Ospry Poco Plus and the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier. You really can’t go wrong with either of these fantastic carriers – check them both out and decide which one is a better fit for you. If you have a teeny tiny newborn baby, we recommend the Ergo Baby 360. For older kids and toddlers, check out the Trail Magik toddler carrier.

For more details on how to choose the right baby carrier for you and more recommendations, check out our full post on the Best Baby Carriers for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures.

Best backpacks for kids

Purchasing your kid’s first backpack almost feels like a right of passage in the outdoor adventure world. Their own space to carry snacks, a new water bottle, and all the treasures they can handle. It’s true they could probably get away with a regular backpack, but one made for hiking will make trail time more enjoyable for everyone.

Good kids packs include a hip belt, chest strap, big interior storage, and a mesh pocket on the outside. Other features that can be handy are a sleeve for a hydration bladder and a whistle on the chest strap buckle. One nice day pack that fits all these criteria is the REI Tarn which comes in 12 liters for little kids and 18 liters for big kids.

First aid kit

As parents, we know accidents are bound to happen. Scrapes and bruises are just part of it all when you live an outdoor lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to keep a first aid kit on hand when venturing outside. A good wilderness first aid kit should include bandages and gauze, antibiotic ointment or wipes, sting care, and medications such as antacids, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and allergy relief.

For a simple day hiking kit, this one from HART is great. If you’re looking for a larger kit for the whole family, check out this one from Adventure Medical Kits. In addition to carrying a kit for the family, I’m also a big proponent of teaching our kids about safety and being prepared when outdoors. One of the easiest ways to do this is to let your kids carry a simple first aid kit. This Coleman Mini First Aid Kit is great for little packs.

For more information on first aid, check out our full posts on Hiking Safety & First Aid (which includes a list of exactly what should be in your first aid kit) and this post on Teaching First Aid to Kids.

Best lights, lanterns, headlamps, and other illumination

A key piece of gear that every outdoor kid needs is a good source of light for when adventures last well past dark. Kids love being able to navigate their way down a darkened trail or read a beloved nighttime story in the tent before bed. There are lots of options out there for ways that kids can illuminate the night. Three of the best options are a headlamp, flashlight, or lantern.

Headlamps: Headlamps offer that perfect hands-free option. Once placed on the head your kid can freely move about without worrying about dropping something or shining it in the right place. If you have toddlers or small children, a child-sized headlamp like the Black Diamond Wiz is a great option made for smaller heads. For school-aged kids through teens, jump up to an adjustable regular headlamp like the Petzl Tikka headlamp.

Flashlights: Flashlights are a classic option and come in so many fun colors and sizes. A small flashlight like these EverBrite Flashlights come in multiple packs for the whole family. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, these LED tactical flashlights are bright, rechargeable, magnetic, and waterproof.

Lanterns: Another great illumination option is a lantern. The lanterns of today are not like our parents’ old oil-filled versions. Lanterns now come in all shapes and are made from a variety of materials. One style to consider is an ultra-lightweight inflatable lantern like these LuminAid lanterns. The Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern is a solar lantern that can also charge your phone! No batteries required, super bright, easy to use, and totally waterproof. (Use the code RUNWILD for 10% off any product.)

Best kids’ water bottles and hydration bladders

Water is an essential item on any outdoor activity, and how you choose to let your child carry it is just as important. Maybe they want to carry their own new bottle in their pack or maybe they want to use a hydration bladder so they can drink without stopping. Either option is great, so long as it’s not too heavy or burdensome for them. Here are a few of our favorite hydration options.

Water bottles: When it comes to water bottles, there are just a couple of key things to keep in mind. A good kids-sized water bottle should be able to hold anywhere from 12 to 16 oz. Nothing too big, or it will weigh their pack down. Another thing to consider is how the bottle opens and closes. A bottle that doesn’t leak and is easy to open are always at the top of my wish list. Both the Kleen Kanteen classic and the CamelBak Eddy are great durable options that should last your child for years.

Hydration bladders: Hydration bladders are a great option for carrying water on a long hike or a day out adventuring. A hydration bladder consists of a BPA-free plastic bladder with an attached straw for easy use. You can either purchase a bladder with the attached straw that can be used with your backpack of choice or get a hydration pack, like the Camelbak Mini MULE, which is a bladder and backpack in one.

Best camping gear for kids and families

Some of our greatest memories come from camping adventures. Family camping trips usually include bike riding around the campground, playing rounds and rounds of UNO, roasting marshmallows over a fire while looking for the big dipper. And at the end of the night, crawling into our sleeping bags and sleeping under the stars. While a lot of our camping gear can be shared among the family, there are a few key items that kids need of their very own. Here’s a short list of a few of our best recommendations for family and kid-friendly outdoor gear for kids when camping.

Best camping tents for families

When camping, your tent is your home away from home. It’s where you’ll spend your evenings when you sleep and possibly hang out during rain or bouts of bad weather. Tents provide privacy, room to hang out, and most importantly, protection from inclement weather, cold, wind, and rain. Your tent can make or break your camping experience and needs to be accommodating for your family and your needs.

We love the North Face Wawona 6 tent. It’s a bit pricey, but really well-made and durable. It’s a good all-around 3-season tent, with 2 doors, a hybrid double-wall construction, extra interior height, large vestibule, and multiple interior storage pockets.

For our full guide on how to choose the right tent for you family and tent recommendations based on your family’s size, check out our post on the Best Tents for Families.

Photo credit: @kristcx

Best sleeping bags for kids

Sleeping under the stars is always a great idea, unless you can’t get comfortable and stay warm. One key element to this issue is a well-fitting, cozy sleeping bag. A bag like the Kids Kelty Mistral that keeps kids toasty in temperatures below 40-degrees, is a great investment. For the smaller ones, a sleeping sack/bag made for babies, like this one from Morrison Outdoors, might be just the right fit.

Sleeping pad or cot

Every good camping sleep system also includes a sleeping mat or a cot. Mats are a great option because you can buy them a little big to last a little longer. A self-inflating sleeping pad like the REI Kindercamp is always nice because the kids can help set up their own sleeping spot. If you’re looking for something that gets your little one off the ground, or if you have multiple kids and are tight on space, check out the Kid-O-Bunk bunk bed cots.

Best kids’ camping chairs

Camp chairs might be another one of those items that you’re wondering if the kids really need their own. But, everyone loves having their own camp chair to sit in by the fire. Adult-sized chairs may be too high and large (and therefore could be dangerous) for little kids. A chair that’s just the right size like this Coleman Kids Chair is a great option. (Although that’s not to say they still won’t steal your chair!)

Bug protection for kids

There are plenty of ways to keep the bugs at bay during a camping trip, but our family favorites are the ones that don’t stink and don’t need to be reapplied over and over. Great choices for protection are bug bands, like these BuggyBands Mosquito Bracelets, or little stickers like the Buzz Patch bug patches that you kids can apply themselves.

Camping hammock

Who doesn’t like to lay back and relax in a hammock and let the breeze gently rock you? Or, if your kids are anything like mine, a hammock can become a swing, a fort, or the perfect spot to ask mom for a gazillionth snack. Whatever way your kids prefer to make use of this classic camp item, you can’t go wrong with something like the ENO SingleNest Hammock.

Best biking gear and options for kids

One of the best activities to get families out is bike riding. Whether it’s on a paved trail near home, or off the beaten path, hopping on a bike is a great way to get outdoors, get active, and spend some quality time together as a family. If you’re interested in biking, we’ve got some great biking gear recommendations for you and your little ones.

Best bikes for kids

A balance bike is a bike without pedals and it’s a perfect way for little kids and toddlers to learn how to ride a bike. It has most of the essential elements of a traditional bike (frame, fork, handlebars, wheels, etc.), but instead of pedaling, they push off the ground with their feet to move forward and place their feet down to stop. Since they’re in control, kids can develop their balance and coordination first, before progressing to a bike with pedals. Our top balance bike recommendation is the Woom 1. But, there’s no one size fits all and lots of things to take into consideration when choosing a balance bike. Here’s our full post on the Best Balance Bikes for Kids.

Once your kids are ready, something like the REI Co-Op Rev Bike is a great option for bikes that have a few grown-up features but are just the right size.

Photo credit: @kristcx

Biking trailer

If your little adventure partner isn’t ready for a bike quite yet, another great option is a bike trailer. We absolutely love the Burley Encore X bike trailer (and double-stroller), which allows families to still get out on the trail knowing the littlest one is tucked safely inside with all the necessities. The Encore X has comfortable seating for 1 or 2 children, plenty of room for snacks, toys, and other gear, plus a variety of other awesome features (reclinable seats, extra suspension, etc.).

Best bike helmets for kids

No matter where you’re riding, safety is a top priority. A bike helmet is an important piece of outdoor gear to protect their noggin. When selecting a helmet, look for those that are Mips certified, providing impact protection on all sides. The Bern Nino Helmets are certified and also come with a built-in sun visor.

Biking accessories for kids

Bike accessories are a great addition to add a little flair and function to your kids’ ride. A classic item like the Nutcase Bike Bell lets our kids add little fun and personalization to their bike; plus, it’s an added sense of safety so they can ring out as they pedal away. Another fun biking accessory is a water bottle and holder. Most kids’ bikes are too small to use the more common bottle cage, so this Po Campo Water Bottle Bag is a great option. Check out our full post with 30+ Fun Biking Accessories for Kids for more!

Photo credit: @meghavelaarphoto

Best water gear for kids

In my experience, one activity that kids of all ages love spending time on or near the water. Whether it’s at the beach, fishing along the river, exploring a creek, or jumping off the dock, kids love water! They love to get their feet wet, splash around, and play in water. No matter where you’re headed, here are a few gear recommendations that will keep the kids safe and happy when on the water.

Best sunhats for kids

When heading out to spend a day on the water, a good hat that provides protection from the sun is a must. There are lots of styles and options out there, and if your kids are like mine, they will have an opinion on what they like the most. For a full coverage hat that protects both their face and neck, you can’t go wrong with something like the Sunday Afternoons play hat or the Veyo Kids sunhat. If your kids prefer a baseball hat, you might reach for the Outdoor Research Kids Swift cap or a snapback from Headster that both offer bright colors or cool designs.

Photo credit: @meghangarriott

Best life jackets for kids

Whether you’re kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing from a boat, a quality and well-fitting life jacket or PFD (personal flotation device) is needed to keep kids safe when on and around water. When choosing the right life jacket for your child, make sure to pick one according to their current size and weight. This ensures it won’t slip over their head when in the water.

For babies, infants, and little ones in the 8-30lb-range, check out something like the Stohlquist Infant Jacket or the STEARNS Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket that both provide head support and full arm movement. For larger kids in the 33-55 lb rant, we like the Full Throttle Child Rapid Dry Neoprene Life Jacket. For the super sporty kids, the NRS Vista jacket looks just like mom’s, but is made especially for kids.

For a more detailed list of life jacket recommendations by size, activity, and style, check out our post on the Best Life Jackets for Kids, which includes all the info you need to pick the right life jacket for your child.

Water shoes for kids

Atrip to play in or near the water generally means that our kids will get their feet wet. If you’re headed somewhere besides a sandy beach, a good pair of shoes that they can wear means they are less likely to hurt their feet. These Keen Newport sandals are great because they provide tow coverage and stay snuggly on their feet. If your kiddo wants a little more room in their sandal, try something like this Teva Hurricane.

Best sunscreen for kids

Keeping our kids’ skin safe is just as important as anything else. So having quality sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ is essential when we head out for a day near the water. Some sunscreens can have a lot of chemicals added and can be tough on kids’ sensitive skin, so we recommend Countersun Mineral Sunscreen from Beautycounter (comes in spray, stick, and lotion), which provides full coverage protection without harmful effects. It’s also reef-safe, which is recommended anytime you’re in wild water.

Best sunglasses for kids

Protect your children’s eyes while they’re outside playing with sunglasses. My own kids love these Babiator sunglasses that come in 2 styles (the Navigator UV and the Aviator) and a variety of colors. Frames are made from rubber, making them strong and flexible, shock and impact-resistant. Whether your child twists, bends or treads on these sunglasses, they will not break! In addition, these UV400 lenses stop all UVA and UVB rays and protect the eyes of your child against the bright sunlight. Available in baby and toddler sizes and polarization.

Best outdoors toys for kids

Whether playing in the backyard or taking your adventures on the road, it’s always nice to have a few activities around that our kids go for time and time again. There are thousands of things to do outside, but here are a few of our all-time tried-and -tested highly-recommended favorite outdoor toys, activities, and inspiration for getting outdoors.

Slackline: Slacklining is a great activity for kids because it requires concentration, balance, and core strength, plus all you need is a kit like the ZenMonkey Slackline Kit and two trees for hours of fun. If you need info on how to get started, check out this Beginner’s Guide to Slacklining with Kids.

Kites: If you’re looking for another activity that is portable and provides endless amounts of outdoor time, a kite is a perfect solution. These Pocket Flyer Kites can even be put in a kid’s backpack to fly anywhere the wind strikes. Before you head out, be sure to read our post on Kite Flying with Kids.

Binoculars: All explorers need a good pair of binoculars for adventuring. A good pair of high-resolution, waterproof binoculars like these Occer compact binoculars will make sure your kids don’t miss a thing (but they also won’t break the bank).

Photo credit: @arevook

Walkie-talkies: Walkie-talkies are perhaps one of the best outdoor toys you can purchase for your kids! Not only are they fun to use and can be a catalyst for hours of imaginative play, but they are also a helpful device for keeping track of our busy independent kids. These Topsung rechargeable walkie-talkies are great because they are long-range and come in packs of two or three.

Bait nets: Whether you’re at the beach, in a creek/stream or next to a pond, kids love playing in the water and catching things. These Promar Aluminum Bait Nets are the very best bait net on the market – trust me, we’ve been through a million. Most nets have the netting on the outside of the basket, which means after a while of scraping on sand and rocks, the net wears thin and rips. This one has a metal framing (net guard) and a super durable handle, ensuring it lasts years longer than the others. A bit more expensive, but totally worth it. Perfect for scooping rocks/shells and catching minnows, crabs, crawdads, etc.

Wagon: A classic little red RadioFlyer Wagon is a multi-purpose outdoor toy. This wagon has been a staple in my kids’ childhoods, and we use it more than we ever could have imagined. Use it for taking the kids for a walk around the block (they’ll not only love riding in it, but pulling it as well) or use it for transporting gear and equipment. The uses are endless, and it’s a ton of open-ended fun.

Best outdoor activity books for kids

We all have days when the motivation to head outside is hard to find. Even our outdoorsy kids need a bit of inspiration sometimes. Here is a list of books with fabulous activities, games, and ideas for getting everyone out the door.
Best outdoor gear for kids

Phew! I think we covered nearly everything you could need to fuel your outdoor adventures for years to come! You certainly don’t need this entire list of gear, but hopefully, this will be a good starting place to find just the right gear for your outdoorsy kids. Let us know if there’s any category of items we missed! And in the meantime, here are a few more posts on gear and activities you might enjoy!
Printable camping gear lists for families

To make it easier for you to get started on your next family camping trip, we put our ultimate camping packing list for your family in a free printable 2-page PDF for you! Use this as the perfect start to create your own master packing list. You’ll also be signed up to receive our AMAZING weekly newsletter, filled with fun outdoor activities and inspiration for getting your kids and family outside! You can opt out anytime (although we’d hate to see you go).

[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://mailchi.mp/6ad1ea8208c2/fw0osm9qnr” text=”PRINTABLE CAMPING GEAR LIST” ]

About the author

RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
Instagram: @mountain_mama4
Website: Mountain Mama
RWMC articles: RyAnn
CAMP, FAMILY TRAVEL, HIKE, LOCAL GEMS
Roan Mountain Highlands with Kids
- July 27, 2022
The Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountain National Park are both huge touristy areas this time of year. The park is incredible, but the crowds can be intense and overwhelming. However, there is another option for exploring the Appalachian Trail with kids nearby that is family-friendly and way less crowded, with spectacular vistas and stunning wildlife. If you find yourself in Southern Appalachia, check out the Roan Mountain Highlands! The Roan Highlands are quite simply a gem of the American Southeast and have something for families of all abilities. Today, local Tennessee mom and avid hiker Somer Pickel is here sharing her favorite section of the Appalachian Trail to hike with kids and tips for exploring the Roan Mountain Highlands.

The Roan Mountain Highlands are the perfect southeastern mountain get away for families of all abilities.

An introduction to the Roan Mountain Highlands

Roan Mountain is located a couple of hours northeast of Smoky Mountain National Park, nestled along the North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee border. It’s part of the Unaka Mountain subrange within the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding mountains of the area are blanketed by beautiful deciduous national forests (hello fall foliage!) and magical spruce-fir forests of the Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests. The area is famous for its expansive 360-degree Appalachian views and incredible wild rhododendron gardens. Every June, crowds flock to the mountain to view the rhododendron and flame azalea blooms for good reason. They’re magnificent.

Roan Mountain has the world’s largest wild rhododendron gardens and it’s sure something to see!

Visit the Appalachian Balds

The Roan Highlands were my first introduction to Appalachian “Balds”. Aka mountain tops and ridge-lines without forests. The Roan Highlands are the longest stretch of balds in the entire Appalachian Mountain range! The Roan Balds stretch about ~ 2.5 miles across three mountains (Round, Jane, and Grassy Ridge). On clear days, hikers have continuous expansive mountain views for hours while exploring the trail.

These wide open views and minimal light pollution also make the highlands perfect for stargazing. On crisp clear nights, the Milky Way is clearly visible, and there’s no better place to watch a meteor shower.

On a clear day you can see hundreds of miles in every direction from the Roan Highlands. Not that your toddler will appreciate it. This boulder is right off the trail about half a mile up. It’s a favorite climbing spot for small children devouring snacks and adults looking for a breather.

Hiking portions of the Appalachian Trail with kids

If one were to take a day hike with kids from Carver’s Gap parking area, they could choose the distance of the hike based on the family’s ability. The wide open expansive views start not even half a mile up the Appalachian Trail.

Oh, I guess I haven’t mentioned that little detail yet. The trail that leads across these stunning mountains is none other than the famous Appalachian Trail!

The Appalachian Trail is a long trail that stretches nearly 2200 miles from Northern Georgia into Maine. The trail follows the Appalachian Mountainss and includes countless incredible vistas. But the Roan Highlands section is considered one of the most beautiful–especially in June when the rhododendrons and azaleas are blooming. Honestly though, I’ve been up there in all seasons and all weather; it’s a beautiful stretch any time.

Exploring with kids isn’t always easy. But that’s not to say it isn’t doable or worth the effort. Even if they are too young to remember it—I promise you will.

Hiking with kids

My recommendation, if you and your children are able-bodied, is to park at Carver’s Gap on the Tennessee/ North Carolina state line. Directly across the street from the parking lot is the Appalachian Trail and an information board.

Anytime you’re new to an area, you’d be wise to look over any information boards you see. Sometimes it’s just a map of the surrounding area and/or trail. But a lot of time, they have invaluable information about the hike you’re about to embark upon. For instance, there may be a posting warning of recent increased bear activity. Or, in the case of Roan Mountain, it may have warnings not to touch the endangered Grays Lily wildflower species or how you can do your part to protect and preserve the Roan Mountain Highland ecosystem.

Roan Mountain Balds sport incredible wildflowers, including these flame azaleas to trout lilies, trilliums, endangered Grays lilies, the famous rhododendrons, and dozens more!

Roan Mountain State Park

If you’re looking to get your bearings before you set out, head to the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center. It’s a lovely stop at the base of the mountain situated on the rambling little Doe river. My kid is a huge fan of the large water wheel at the center. I’m not sure what cascades more, the water or all her ‘why?’ questions about its inner mechanical workings.

But all jokes aside, the visitor center is a great resource where you can ask questions. They will know the shape of the trails and roads (aka, are they too muddy or snowy to traverse) and may have insight into how the weather is on top of the mountain. It is typically open from 0800-1600 EST.

For those who may not be up for backpacking, never fear. The State Park at the base of the mountain has over 100 campsites and 30 cabins available for rent.

Camping at Roan Mountain State Park

Roan Mountain State Park also offers camping in designated camp areas. There’s a $5 reservation fee for booking online, in addition to the nightly fee, which varies depending on the season. And while I can’t give exact costs, the nightly rates are quite reasonable—and lower than those we’ve paid when staying at parks out west.

The camping areas have access to walking trails lower on the mountain, wildflower viewing areas, the beautiful Doe river, and of course, some bathhouses. You also regularly see deer ambling about the fields at dawn and dusk.

Hiking with kids is just as rewarding for kids as it is for us parents. Kids get to explore their capabilities and push their physical limits. Seeing them pride themselves in their own accomplishments is incredible.

Roan Mountain cabins

If you book early enough, you may be able to snag one of the park’s adorable little cabins. There are 30 cabins in all, but they’re spread throughout a beautiful deciduous forest, giving each one a secluded feeling. The cabins sleep between 4 and 6 people, and rates vary between $100-300 a night depending on size and season.

All cabins are equipped with electricity and running water but not Wi-Fi.

Roan Mountain Highlands are a fantastic introduction hike for children. The section of trail up to the first bald is accessible for most children and families.

Carver’s Gap hike with kids

But back to Carver’s Gap. Cross the street and head up the trail as it passes through a field spotted with rhododendron. About a quarter mile up, you enter a Frazier fir forest that’s simply magical, especially in golden hour light and/or in fog. You hike through this forest for another quarter mile or so before you come out onto the side of Round Bald with immediate expansive views of the North Carolina Blueridge mountains, including the highest peak east of the Mississippi–Mt. Mitchell.

If your family isn’t used to hiking and the climb is starting to get to you, or if your toddler is demanding their 5th snack of the day, there’s a great snack rock right off the trail. It’s also a great little bouldering challenge for smaller kiddos.

If you keep going up the trail to the summit of Round Bald, you’ll get your first 360-degree views. From there, you and your family can choose how far to go. If you go all the way out to Grassy Ridge and back, the total length of the hike is somewhere around 5 miles. Keep in mind this milage includes some significant elevation gains along the way.

While I wouldn’t say it’s an easy hike, it’s definitely doable for many. My three-year-old has hiked the entirety of the trail on a recent backpacking trip (though she insisted on being called Spider-Man the whole time–hey, whatever works…).

Backpacking to Grassy Ridge was our perfect introduction trip for our toddler. Far enough out to be an adventure, but close enough to bail to the truck if things go awry.

Entry-level backpacking on the Appalachian Trail with kids

For anyone looking for a great entry-level backpacking trip for kids, you found it! This section of the Appalachian Trail was our child’s first backpacking trip when she was 9 months old. It was far enough out to give us the experience we were looking for, but close enough to the car to bail if something went awry. It was also our kid’s first backpacking trip that she hiked completely independently (hallelujah!).

There are multiple places one could set up camp around this area. There are a couple of backpacking shelters within a few miles of Carver’s Gap parking (Roan High Knob and the Stan Murray Shelters).

Backpacking on the Roan Highlands is one of our favorite family adventures. The mountain gets top points for it’s beauty and accessibility.

Recommended camping site

My recommendation is to camp on one of the balds, if the weather forecast is favorable. If you keep a keen eye, you’ll find multiple established campsites on each bald. I truly cannot describe how beautiful and otherworldly watching the sunsets and sunrises from each of the three balds. (Unless you’re three. Then you’re too busy playing with the penlight you found in your mom’s pack to notice.) Plus, having multiple options on each bald is fantastic when hiking with kids who may or may not have lost all interest in forward progression.

The sunsets and sunrises are 100% worth the lack of sleep that comes with sharing a tent with a toddler. Can we take a moment to peep that happy pupper? Okay, you’re welcome. Moving on.

More family-friendly & accessible trail options

If hiking isn’t your family’s cup of tea, but you’re still out looking for a fun nature-fueled adventure with the kids, head up past Carver’s Gap to the rhododendron gardens. There’s parking galore and trails aplenty to explore.

Another of our favorite trails is the Roan High Knob trail. This leads to a beautiful deck overlook on the western side of Roan. The trail winds less than a mile through a beautiful mossy rich fir forest, that always reminds me of Middle Earth. The forest is an amazing habitat full of treasures. From mushrooms in what look like fairy gardens to salamanders. It’s truly a kid’s dream come true.

While the first section of this trail is paved, the whole of it is not. So, I don’t recommend bringing strollers or wheelchairs on this particular trail. However, the popularity of the rhododendron gardens has led the park to develop more options for folks of all ages and abilities. Paved meandering paths wind through the gardens and fir forests. While some are wheelchair or jogging stroller accessible, others aren’t easily so in patches where roots have bumped up the asphalt. But with a bit of extra effort, you could get kids of all abilities deep into this forest wonderland. On hot days you can smell the balsam in the air as you see the sun twinkling through the canopy overhead. We’re talking core memories here, people.

FYI, the access road up to the gardens is closed in the winter months, so check before heading out.

The Roan mountain ecosystem is incredibly diverse and rich. Salamanders are a definite favorite of our family though. If you’d like to learn more about them check out our Salamander article!

The rhododendron gardens are designed so that visitors of all ages and abilities can get out and explore.

Special considerations when hiking the Appalachian Trail with kids

While I don’t want to scare anyone off the trail, there are special considerations to take if you are planning to day hike or backpack this section of the Appalachian trail (especially if you plan to have kids in tow).

First off, know your and your child(ren)’s abilities. If your kid has never done a five-mile hike on even terrain, don’t expect them to be able to climb up and down three mountains. But too, don’t be frightened. This is a great hike for parents of little kids or babies still in carriers. There are sections that are pretty technical and require having the littles under three or four in a carrier. But, there are many sections all along the way that are quite mild. My kid has been crawling down them since before she could walk.

A side note of caution to any parents hiking while wearing or carrying children. Keep in mind wearing children throws your balance and makes it more difficult to keep your footing–especially if you are wearing your child in the front and you can’t see your feet. I always recommend using hiking poles while baby wearing on the trail. They’re a quick and easy safety tool that’s saved my kid and me more than a few mishaps.

There’s loads of opportunity for parents to stretch their legs and for kids to safely explore.

Exposure & elevation

While we are on the topic of safety, let’s point out one of the dangers brought on by what makes Roan so unique. You’re totally exposed for miles. There aren’t any trees to buffer the wind or offer shade. You have to plan for sun and wind exposure. We take sunscreen year-round. We also utilize merino wool’s sun protection year-round (if you want to read more about the crazy awesome powers of merino wool, check out this previous article).

The Roan Mountain Highlands are at a higher elevation than typical for most of us Easterners, and the weather can change on a dime. But don’t let these challenges stop you. Just make sure you prepare properly for the environment. Below are some basic hiking safety tips that can be applied to almost any situation.

If properly dressed kids will often surprise you on what they are game for, even in cold environments.

Always check the weather

I am a strong believer in “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather” (if you haven’t read this book yet, I 100% recommend it). However, you have to know what sort of weather you might encounter while out adventuring and hiking with your kids so that you can be prepared.

Oftentimes, regular weather apps and websites aren’t suitable sources for labile mountain-top weather. The weather on the mountain may be very different than the weather down below. My personal go-to is mountain-forecast.com. You can look up specific mountains you’ll be on rather than the nearest town, which may be 30+ miles from where you are hiking.

Weather changes rapidly in mountain environments. It’s always safe to bring extra layers just in case.

Dress in layers

Once you know the weather you should expect, plan for the worst outcomes. For instance, with a 30% chance of rain, I’m going to bring my kid’s rain gear and an extra change of clothes in case she gets wet. (You know what, let’s be honest. My kid is three, so I always bring an extra set of clothes with me and have another in the car no matter what the forecast. If your kid is anything like mine, they’re born with an innate ability to trash clothes. But, I digress…)

If it’s showing temperature ranges of 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit, I’m going to bring multiple layers for my kid, including an insulating layer and a windbreaker. Little kids and babies can’t regulate body temperature as well as adults. What may not be too cold for you, could very well likely be too cold for your toddler. (This is especially true if you have recently transitioned your toddler from a front carrier to a backpack carrier where they can’t rely on your body heat any longer.)

If you want to know the ins and outs of layering and my personal go-to’s (hint, hint–it’s merino wool 100% of the time) check out my merino wool article. It contains all you could ever possibly want to know, and then some, about the wonders of merino wool and layering in general.

Merino wool is nature’s wonder fabric. It wicks moisture, protects from the sun and temperature regulates!

Bring food and plenty of fluids

For those out day-hiking, keep in mind that you’re totally exposed to the elements when on the balds. So, bring plenty of water, as it’s likely that you will dehydrate faster than typical. Plus, you never know when your kid might decide to trail run a couple of miles for no reason (or is that just my kid?). But yea, definitely bring water for each party member and even more for breastfeeding mamas–even if you only plan on going out a mile or so.

Snacks are a must for my kid in every situation, but they become more important while hiking. I like to bring high-calorie snacks when hiking with my kiddo. Our go-to’s are typically nut butters, granola/protein bars, meats sticks, dried fruits, and crackers.

But let’s not forget the bribery tools, because heck yes, I resort to bribing my kid on the reg. My favorite bribery snacks are fun-sized packages of fruit snacks or gummies, chocolate bites, and lollipops. Word to the wise about the lollipops, though, do not give your kid a lollipop in a backpack carrier if you have hair. Trust me, just don’t.

If ever in doubt, bring all three layers for your kids. It’s so much better to be safe than sorry.

And last but not least…leave no trace

Please make sure to follow the leave no trace principles whenever you are visiting wild spaces. Take out all your trash and try to leave the area cleaner than you found it. If we want these places to remain accessible to future generations, we have to preserve, protect, and take care of them. Little eyes are watching.

Have you ever hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail?

About the author

Somer is a mama living in southern Appalachia. Somer’s motherhood journey began when her oldest daughter was born with severe congenital heart disease. Avelyn spent the majority of her 18 months of life within a pediatric ICU. Though she lived her life chronically critically ill, Avie was an incredibly loving and joyous child. After her death, Somer and her husband sought solace backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail. Before long, they discovered their ability to cope seemed to correspond with time spent outdoors.

When it came time to add another kiddo to the mix, bringing the baby along was never a question. In an effort to celebrate the freedom provided by healthy bodies, Somer has hiked her second-born 2k+ miles. Even so, she doesn’t believe grand adventures are necessary to reap nature’s wonder. They just as often revel in mundane evenings in their backyard. The family believes it’s prioritizing time spent outdoors that’s important.

Professionally, Somer has spent the last decade caring for veterans in an acute psychiatric unit as a clinical nurse educator. Over the years, she’s become a passionate advocate for the intersectional relationships of mental health, wellness, and the natural world. She truly believes there’s healing and strength to be found outdoors for those who seek it.

You can find Somer online in the following locations:
Instagram: @somerpickel
RWMC posts: Somer Pickel
Podcast episode: Overcoming Grief Outdoors
GEOCACHING, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PARK
Spice Up Your Family Hikes with Geocaching
- March 15, 2022
Do your kids moan and groan when you mention hiking? Are they bored with the same trails? Do they like finding real-life treasure? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got a fun activity for you! Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt that you can do nearly anywhere (including on your favorite family hiking trails). Today, Alabama mom of two, Zenovia Stephens is here sharing her family’s newfound love of geocaching and how it’s spiced up their family hikes. She’ll teach you how to get started geocaching for free, and walk you through geocaching best practices and etiquette. We think geocaching just might be your family’s new favorite outdoor activity!

Spice up your hikes with geocaching

Have you ever found your kids getting tired of something they love doing, but do so often it seems stale? If you’re a parent, chances are you answered yes. My family loves hiking, but kids can easily get bored with hiking. I have a lot of ideas for keeping hiking interesting for littles. One of our favorite ways is choosing a hike with exciting sights. This involves researching trails and making sure the payoff for kids is enough to keep them excited about putting one foot in front of the other.

While fun sights along your hike can yield great results, how can we combat trail boredom or hiking fatigue when you might not have exciting destinations? How do you keep a hike through your local park exciting? Or even just a walk through town? I have one more trick up my sleeve, and it’s call geocaching! Read on to learn what geocaching is and how it can save your family hiking trips.

What is geocaching

Before I understood what geocaching was, I automatically assumed it was lame. I never imagined my family or I would be interested in something involving GPS coordinates or caches. Was I being closed-minded? Absolutely. I just didn’t know what we were missing! Luckily, people kept asking if we’d tried geocaching, so I decided it was time to see what all the hype was about (mainly so we could tell people we tried it and it wasn’t our thing). Much to my surprise, we LOVED it!

Geocaching.com defines geocaching as a real-world, outdoor adventure that is happening all the time, all around the world. Now, if you’ve never heard of or been geocaching, it could be because it’s still relatively new. This adventure activity has only existed since 2000 and has grown from a few geocaches to millions of geocaches and geocachers worldwide. I can now agree that it deserves all the hype it’s built up and urge everyone to give it a try.

How does geocaching work?

Geocaching is pretty straightforward and is easier than it sounds. It works by using GPS tracking through apps on your smartphone, such as the free geocaching app. This app shows users the various caches (we like to call them treasures) available nearby and helps you navigate to them. Think of it as a real-life treasure hunt where you’re searching for items hidden by other users.

You’d be surprised how many caches are out there (everywhere!) and where caches are located. We once found one in a junkyard near a restaurant we were visiting. While we couldn’t get to it due to not having anyone to permit us to enter, searching for the treasure kept us entertained while waiting to be seated. Caches are at your local park, hidden along your favorite trails, all over in the city and suburbs.

Create your account and start geocaching

Once you download the app, you’ll be prompted to create an account. You can use the free version, which gives access to a limited number of caches, or the paid option to see premium caches. I recommend starting with the basic account and upgrading if need be. The free version lets your find “traditional” caches (which are a bit larger and easier to find than the small or micro caches), which are perfect for little kids and families.

Finding the cache

The map on the geocaching app will direct you close to the cache (within 30 feet). Then, it’s up to you to find the treasure! Caches are usually small containers filled with little trinkets and goodies for trading. The cache may also have a log book for you to write down your name and the date you found the cache. Once you find it, you can swap out a trinket with another and sign the log book. Make sure to put the cache back exactly where you found it. And then mark it as “found” on the app, which will turn it into a smiley face icon.

Geocaching etiquette

If geocaching sounds like something your family would enjoy, there are a few things you should know before heading out to find treasure. Geocaching etiquette says:
- Don’t take anything from the cache if you don’t have anything to leave (and leave something of equal or greater value). I happen to love this because it helps keep it fair for everyone and ensures you’ll get something when you find the treasure. Imagine the disappointment after spending time excitedly searching for a cache only to find it empty. To avoid being the culprit, keep a small stash of items in your car or pack specifically to replenish your finds.
- Use the log system to share with the owner and others whether you found the cache or not. It helps keep the spirit of adventure alive! If the cache is damaged or doesn’t contain any treasure, you can report that through the app for maintenance.
- Be sure to return the cache to the exact spot you found it. If you don’t, others won’t experience the joy of finding it. This is true even if you think you found a better hiding place for the cache.
- Respect private property. Some caches are hidden on or near private property; it’s a good idea to either refrain or ask permission before entering.
- Bring a pen to sign in with your username and date found for the owner. Not all caches have a pen or pencil to use.
How can geocaching save your family hikes?

Easy! We’ve talked a lot about the fact that geocaching can be done anywhere, that includes while hiking. Many caches are hidden along popular trails. Caches are prevalent in parks and even in neighborhoods. You might be surprised just how many caches are out there on trails and in places you visit all the time! Or, look at the app to see where caches are hidden along trails to discover new (to you) trails and hikes to explore.

When you find your kids moaning and groaning about another hike, appeal to their mysterious side and present them with the opportunity to hunt for treasure in the woods instead. They’ll forget they’re hiking, you get the pleasure of having happy kids while secretly hiking, and the family has another new memory added to the bank. It’s a win for everyone!

Even more reasons to try geocaching

Besides the fun of being part of a real-life treasure hunt, geocaching can serve as a tool to encourage kids in a few ways, teach new (and valuable) skills, and get them outside! Here are a few of my favorite benefits that we’ve discovered from geocaching as a family.
- Map reading and navigation skills are crucial components of thriving in the outdoors. Geocaching is a fun way to get kids learning more and gaining confidence in their navigation skills. I’ve personally seen my oldest son grow by leaps and bounds in his map reading skills, to the point that he can lead me!
- The idea of leaving an item for taking an object can help instill a giver’s heart in kids. It also encourages them to be thoughtful and considerate of others who left items or might find the treasure in the future.
- Joy and happiness are my favorite benefits of geocaching. As parents, we know that time outdoors is healthy for our kids, but keeping them engaged and excited can become challenging. Treasure hunting is a sure way to encourage joy and happiness in kids and the entire family. The joy on a child’s face when he finds treasure is palpable!
Boredom busted

Since diving into geocaching, we’ve found ourselves looking for caches in places we’d never thought would provide an ounce of adventure. From forests, playgrounds, city streets, undiscovered neighborhoods, and even the depths of the ocean…geocaches are everywhere! Searching for them should be a top tool in the boredom-busting box. After all, you never know what you may find!

Geocaching resources
Have you tried geocaching before?
If so, what’s your most exciting find?

About the author

Zenovia is an outdoor enthusiast, freelance travel and adventure blogger, wife, and mom to three young boys (ages 8, 5 & 2). Originally from Chicago, Zenovia and her family live in Huntsville, Alabama, and spend many of their days exploring and learning about the area. She is the Founder and CEO of Black Kids Adventures, Inc, a non-profit organization that focuses on getting Black and Brown families to spend time together exploring and enjoying nature. Zenovia is a Visit North Alabama Ambassador, 2021 Land Trust of North Alabama Board Member, YMCA Board Member, WildKind Ambassador and a monthly contributor for We are Huntsville and Huntsville’s CVB. You can follow along with her mom and family adventures and find inspiration for your own family adventures at Black Adventure Crew.

You can find Zenovia online in the following locations:
Instagram: @blackadventurecrew
Facebook: @blackadventurecrew
Website: Black Kids Adventures
RWMC posts: Backyard Movie Night, Outdoor Exercising with Kids
FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE
The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
- January 26, 2022
As outdoorsy mamas (or at least moms that spend a lot of time outside), we get asked a lot about gear recommendations. The Run Wild My Child team that brings you the articles on this website is made up of 30+ writers, all parents on a mission to spend time outside with our kids and help inspire and encourage other parents to do the same. Between us and all our kids, we’ve tried and tested a TON of gear, equipment, clothing, shoes, etc. and we love sharing our recommendations with you. Today, Lea Reynolds, New Mexico nurse, Army vet, and mom of two (including a newborn), is here sharing all the details on the best baby carriers for hiking and outdoor adventures. Each recommended product has been thoroughly tested and tried by Lea and her family. She’s sharing the best baby carrier for newborns, long hikes and hiking with toddlers.

Best baby carriers for hiking and outdoor adventures

Are you a parent new to adventuring and want to know what carrier best suits your baby or child?

Are you an experienced adventure parent that wants to upgrade or make changes to your current setup?

This article is for you! I’m so excited to chat with you today about the best baby carriers for hiking and adventuring. My husband and I have tried and tested many child carriers over the years. As military veterans and experienced adventurers, we’ve made it a priority to take our children on every exploration we set out on from the beginning. We now have two little ones that we adventure with, so we’ve got experience from newborn through toddler.

Choosing the best baby carrier for you

A good baby carrier can make adventuring with two littles not only possible, but fun! But there are a ton of options out there and it’s not always easy to know what you want or need. Plus, it’s hard to know what will last more than a few months (babies grow quickly) and what to spend your money on that will hold up to outdoor adventures and be comfortable.

Today, I will talk about the pros and cons of three fo the best baby carriers for hiking and what ages they best suit. I’ll help you choose which baby carrier is the best for you, depending on what type of outdoor adventures you’ll be going on and the size/age of your child(ren).

Each of the hiking baby carriers discussed below will help you be more comfortable and confident adventuring outside with kids. A good carrier can make all the difference and inspire you to get out there and have fun on the trail. That’s what adventuring with your kids should be right? So let’s get started!

The Osprey Poco Plus

The Osprey Poco Plus is probably the best hiking child carrier on the market. This carrier allows infants from the time they can hold their heads up to about 46 lbs. We have used this carrier with our son since he was an infant and now it’s used to carry our baby girl who is 6 months old. This carrier has a fully framed and padded cockpit area, which surrounds the adjustable seat for safety. It has a lightweight metal frame that allows for transitioning on and off the back easily and safely. Easy-to-use buckles and straps for adjustments. It’s made with soft flexible and breathable materials, with ventilated side panels for comfort when it’s hot.

Osprey Poco Plus pros:

The Osprey Poco Plus is very versatile and allows for maximum comfort for both the adult and child. It’s fully adjustable to my body frame (I am 5’3 and 130 lbs) and to my husband’s (5’9 and 170 lbs). There are footrests on either side of the carrier, so that your child can have their feet resting instead of dangling like soft-shell carriers.

The storage on this carrier is phenomenal! There are two mesh pockets on either side where I put snacks and toys for my baby. There is a large compartment with a zipper at the bottom that I store my DSLR camera, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes for baby girl. This completely eliminates the need to carry an additional backpack. It has a mesh back lining to keep you cool on those hot summer days and even has a hydration pack compartment.

It’s also easy to put on by yourself, which means I can hike solo with my child without needing someone to help me get the carrier on and off. It has a sunshade (stored when not in use) that has come in handy many times while we were hiking desert trails and fly-fishing up and down rivers. It also adjusts as your child gets bigger. The adjustable seat accommodates infants to toddlers.

I cannot rave enough about how much I love this carrier! It makes adventuring with babies so much fun! It’s a must for any parents with infants to toddlers. This carrier has taken us on some pretty epic adventures. We’ve hiked some steep trails, visited National Parks, fished some raving rivers and most importantly, we exposed our babies to the beauty of the world and all it has to offer. This carrier is perfect for pretty much any adventure!

Osprey Poco Plus cons:

This carrier can be heavy for those that are not used to hiking with a load. If you are not used to carrying a lot of weight on your back, you will want to practice and get used to the frame of this carrier. My husband and I have hiked with a lot of weight on our back in the Army so we are used to it, but if you are just starting out, it’s good to start with short hikes and adventures and build up to it.

Although the maximum weight limit says 46 lbs (or 4 years old) it’s very heavy when carrying a toddler. The weight of the actual carrier itself is roughly 7 lbs. And then add a toddler’s weight to that (especially if you have a large toddler, like mine) and it can get really heavy. (Although, I should also mention that carrying a toddler in anything is hard. Once kids can walk, they really enjoy hiking on their own and don’t want to be restrained.) We do have a carrier for him that allows him to rest on long hikes (see below).

Another con to this type of baby carrier is that you have to wait until your infant can hold their head up before you can/should use this product. This carrier is definitely not meant for newborns or the littlest of hikers. You’ll need to use an alternative method of carrying your little baby (see below).

Finally, the Osprey Poco plus is a bit pricy and may not be an affordable option for everyone. This carrier retails for $340. If you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking with your kid(s) over the years (and will use this for multiple kids), then the price is definitely worth it. It will last a long time and can be resold for quite a bit of what you paid for it. We purchased our older version on Facebook MarketPlace for a fraction of the current retail cost. When buying used, make sure to check all straps, buckles, handles, etc. for holes, rips, wear, tears, stains, damage, etc. You’d be surprised what awesome gear you can find used.

Ergo Baby 360

The next carrier we will talk about is a soft-shell baby carrier called the Ergo Baby 360. There are several similar baby carriers out there, but we love this one. It is so comfortable and can sit baby in 4 different positions; facing parent, facing out, hip carry, back carry. We have used this one for each of our children when they were infants. It has taken us on some amazing adventures and I will continue to use it until its time comes to an end. This carrier is best suitable for hikes with newborn-toddlers, walks around the neighborhood, walks on the beach, and comes in handy when you have other children.

Ergo Baby 360 pros:

The Ergo Baby 360 is very comfortable to wear and fully adjustable for different body frames. It’s really light-weight and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It can carry your baby in 4 different positions as they grow and depending on what’s comfortable for you both. It has a sun-shade cover to keep baby’s head out of the sunshine and comes with a pillow that allows newborns to be carried safely. We took our baby girl on her first hike when she was just 1-week old and if it hadn’t been for this carrier, we would have had to carry her or would have resorted to a paved trail that was stroller accessible.

1 week-old baby in Ergo Baby 360

Ergo Baby 360 cons:

The orginal version of this carrier is best suitable for colder weather. It can get a little toasty for baby in the summer (and we live in New Mexico, where it can get really hot). Ergo Baby does make a cool mesh version of this same carrier, which says that it keeps you and your baby cooler on hotter days.

It’s rated for up to 45 lbs but it’s definitely not as comfortable once they hit that weight, even on your back. We transition to our Osprey Poco Plus once they outgrow this one. This carrier is also a little hard to put on and load the baby by yourself.

Tropical forest hike in Hawaii with our Ergo Baby 360.

Trail Magik Toddler Carrier

As our kids get older, we needed something to help us carry our toddler. The last carrier we use is relatively new to the market. It’s made by a family-owned company called Trail Magik. It’s a soft-shell carrier that is durable and specifically made with toddlers in mind. It retails for $95. During transit it’s folded to the size of a small water bottle & weighs just ounces. When needed, The Trail Magik Carrier can attach to the front of your backpacking backpack so you won’t miss a beat while your little hitchhikers get their rest on. It allows your toddler to rest comfortably, while not displacing your hiking backpack.

Trail Magik Toddler Carrier pros:

This toddler carrier is very lightweight, foldable, and durable. Helps toddler rest on longer hikes, once they need a break. It also allows you to carry two children at once (if you’re feeling like Super Mom!).

We were skeptical of the claims of being able to carry your todder comfortably at first because we all know how heavy toddlers can be. The thought of attaching our 35 lb toddler to the front while carrying 45 lbs + on our back, seemed absurd, but we needed something specially made for toddlers. We purchased this carrier recently and tried it out on our strenuous 4-mile hike in Taos, New Mexico. With an elevation gain of 1,030ft. , we knew our toddler would not last the entire hike on his own so we knew we needed something to help him along the way. Our son made it to 3.5 miles before needing help and boy were we ecstatic to have this carrier.

My husband attached him to his pack and we made it the alpine lake. We enjoyed our alpine lake hike so much, we failed to capture photos of us hiking to the top with our son in this carrier. Here is a photograph of it from another hike.

Steep, rocky climb with baby and toddler.

Trail Magik Toddler Carrier cons:

Unfortunately, the Trail Magik baby carrier is not great for prolonged use or really long hikes. You have to have weight on your back to counter the front weight this means wearing a carrier on your back or a hiking backpack with some good amount of weight in it. The weight of your toddler can cause shoulder discomfort if used for too many miles in one hike.

Find the baby carrier that works for you

There is an abundance of baby and child carriers on the market. It is important to find the one(s) that best suit you and your family. Different carriers are made for different activities and the age/size of your children. Finding the most comfortable carrier is sometimes a lesson learned through trial and error. If possible, I highly recommend trying on and testing any carrier before purchasing. You can always try out a brand at the store and then buy it second-hand elsewhere. This gives you the option to ask questions about the product and get to know all the features before purchasing.

My family and I love to hike, fish, and explore some pretty epic places. The carriers listed above have made it not only possible with our children, but fun! There is nothing better than the look on your child’s face when they reach the top of a steep and long hike, or reel in a fish and they are able to witness it right on your back. The right baby carrier allows you to continue doing the adventurous things you love while your children come along. I stand wholeheartedly in these carriers and know that they will continue to take us on epic adventures.

Happy adventuring!

More resources about hiking with kids

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
Do you use a baby carrier for hiking?
Which brand do you recommend?

About the author

Lea is a dedicated wife, adventurous mother, Registered Nurse, and Army veteran. She is from New Mexico and strives each and every day to get outside with her wild toddler and newborn baby girl. She and her husband Brandon both served 8 years in the Army and it was during that time their love for the outdoors and seeing the world was born. When they had their son, that passion only intensified. They love to fly fish, overland in their Jeep, hike, surf, and capture these moments on camera. Lea is a professional photographer on the side and you can always catch her with her camera in her hand. Their goal is to influence more families in their rural state of New Mexico to explore the beauty of the SW while educating them on photography tips, medical tips like First Aid, outdoor safety and gear, etc.

You can find Lea online in the following locations:
Instagram: @wildstokefam
Website: Wild Stoke Fam
RWMC posts: Lea Reynolds
CRAFTS, HIKE, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Making Hiking Sticks with Kids
- January 21, 2022
Are you looking for a fun and easy project that will make hiking more exciting for you and your kids? We’ve got the answer! Today, Lissy Perna, Cape Cod mom of 2 and hiking guru is here sharing her step-by-step tutorial on making hiking sticks with kids. This project is fun for kids of all ages and (for the most part) can be done completely for free with items you already have at home in your craft supplies. These fun and colorfully decorated hiking sticks will let your kids get creative and help get them excited to hit the trail.

An art project that promotes outdoor activity

Have you ever wanted to complete a practical, yet creative art project with your children that you can use outdoors? Wouldn’t it be great if your crafts actually inspired your kids to be active and get outside? Ever wish there was a way to kids your kids more excited about hiking?

Well, making and decorating a hiking stick with your kids might be the perfect project for you! Making a hiking stick with kids is a fun and easy activity that will not only get their creative juices flowing, but it will also get them excited about their next hike. You can make this art project as simple or intricate as you’d like. Also, completing this project that is beautiful and serves a purpose is creating functional art!

Why walk with a hiking stick?

When walking on an uneven surface, a hiking stick can provide support and help you keep your balance. For example, while walking uphill, a hiking stick can dig into the ground to use as an aid to pull yourself up. Conversely, hiking stics can be used as anchors to give yourself something to steady yourself when walking downhill. They are even proven to improve posture when walking on a flat surface.

Need more reasons to use a hiking stick? Hiking sticks can also be used to brush spiderwebs out of your path, check the depth of a puddle in your way, or push thorn bushes aside. They’re really practical and handy to have when you’re out on the trail. These tools aren’t just for adults either, hiking sticks are for kids, too!

Making hiking sticks appealing to kids

While the logical reasons behind using a hiking stick make it worth your while when hiking, a child might still not be interested in carrying one. My kids love finding hiking sticks, but they don’t necessarily need or use them much.

However, kids are involved in creating their own decorated hiking stick, they might be more interested in using it, as well as being proud of their accomplishment. Once they start carrying a hiking stick around, they may find other fun uses for one. My boys like to use their hiking sticks for walking but also to draw in the dirt, poke at rotting wood or mushrooms, or have the occasional sword fight. They have even been known to use discarded buoys found on the beaches as hiking sticks!

List of items need to make a decorated hiking stick with your kids

The good news is that you really don’t need anything above and beyond to decorate your hiking stick. Other than the stick itself, there’s no need to buy or order anything special. Art and craft supplies you already have at home will do just fine. Here’s a list of art and craft supplies you could use:
- Carving knife, curved draw, or an ax
- Electric sander or sandpaper, both will work
- Varnish (optional)
- Acrylic paint (this paint worked wonderfully on the wood, I highly recommend it!)
- Paintbrushes
- Drop cloth
- Masking tape or washi tape (optional)
- Power drill
- Paracord, leather strips, or twine for handle loop
- Yarn for journey stick (directions included in this article)
- Scissors
Locating a hiking stick with your kids

Finding the perfect hiking stick to use can be as easy as looking along a trail or in your yard (if you’re lucky enough to live near the woods). We found branches in the woods near our house to use for our hiking sticks. It took a while to find ones that were not wholly decaying, but we didn’t want to cut down any live trees for this project.

Fresher wood is better for making a hiking stick because it’s less likely to be dried out and brittle. Keep that in mind during your hiking stick search. Just be sure to inspect the sticks you’re finding on the ground for any insect activity (as you probably wouldn’t want to bring these into your home) or decay (mold/fungi growth).

How to find the perfect hiking stick

When searching for a sturdy hiking stick, the essential qualities you are looking for are: (1) hard sturdy wood, and (2) a generally straight stick. The types of hardwood trees are maple, ash, cedar, beech, cherry, aspen, and others. But, use what you can find. We used some oak branches because the woods around our home are mainly pine and oak.

Also, you want the hiking stick to be about one to two inches in diameter and at a comfortable height for walking. Of course, everyone’s preference is different, but generally, an adult’s hiking stick can be about 55-65″ in length, and children’s can be shorter. Typically, you want a hiking stick to come up about three inches or so below your underarm. If you find a straight hard wood stick that’s longer, you can always cut it down. A hiking stick that’s too short, won’t be as helpful or useful.

How to prepare a hiking stick

Once you find the chosen stick that you’d like to work with, there are a series of steps to follow to make it suitable to decorate and hike with. Here are the steps we took to prepare our hiking sticks.

1. Remove the bark

First, you will want to whittle or carve off the bark of the stick. This will help keep you from getting splinters and make the stick easier to grip and decorate. You can remove the bark with a knife, a curved draw, or even an ax. However, if you want a rustic-looking hiking stick with more of a natural feel, you can keep the bark on. It’s really up to your preferences!

Some types of hardwood have two layers of bark and need to be scraped down twice. This can be a lot of work, don’t get discouraged! Older kids can help with this process with adult supervision and guidance. Remind them to always carve away from your body and not to try to go too fast.

2. Let your hiking stick air dry

Before applying any paint or varnish to your hiking stick, you want to make sure it is completely dry. We made the mistake of leaving our hiking sticks in the trunk of my SUV to dry, and then our dog, Jetty, found them and decided to use them as chew toys! Needless to say, they were a bit wet and slobbery (and in pieces) when we were ready for them.

So, I’d recommend putting them in a safe place, out of reach from any pets who enjoy a nice stick as a snack. Depending on the climate and time of year, the drying process may take up to a couple of weeks.

How to prepare your hiking stick for painting

Once your hiking stick is nice and dry, you’ll want to get it ready for painting and decorating. Use sandpaper to smooth out any inconsistencies, knots, or raw parts of the hiking stick. We started with an electric sander, but the hand-held sandpaper seemed to work better (although it took longer). Once you’ve entirely sanded your hiking stick, wipe it off with a damp rag to remove any sawdust.

If you’d like to add a handle loop to the top of your hiking stick, now would be a great time to add a hole at the top of your stick. We made a hole with a power drill and a small bit. You can make a wrist loop with a variety of materials, including leather, paracord, ribbon, rope, string, or twine. (I will add more information on making these handle wrist loops later in the article.)

How to paint your hiking stick

Set up your supplies for painting your hiking stick in a well-ventilated area. If possible, paint it outdoors! Get all your materials set out and ready. Gloves and a mask are a good idea, as well as a drop cloth or old sheet to prevent paint splatter on furniture or floors.

If you are choosing to varnish your hiking stick, follow the instructions on the product of your choosing. This technique will create a simple look that will let the natural wood grain shine through.

If you choose to go for a more colorful look, as we did, you may want to start by giving your hiking stick a base coat of white paint. The white basecoat allows the bright colors to show up more vividly. For extra vivid colors, you may want to do a few coats of paint so that they really pop!

How to decorate a hiking stick with paint

There are no rules when using paint to decorate your hiking sticks with kids! Let them be the creative director and see what they dream up. My youngest wanted to make a rainbow with every color possible, and my oldest wanted to make a ringed pattern. Both of their projects came out so great and matched their personalities too!

I asked if they wanted to use masking tape to create “negative space” on their sticks as I did with mine, but they both declined. Masking tape and washi tape are helpful with this technique to make clean lines.

Other creative ways to decorate a hiking stick with paint are: polka dots, rainbow patterns, alternating colors, repeating patterns of large and small stripes, swirls or other textures, etc.

How to make a wrist loop for your hiking stick

So, why do you need a wrist loop for your hiking stick in the first place? Well, it’s really for safety reasons. If you happen to drop your stick while walking, it will be wrapped around your wrist and won’t go tumbling down the mountain. But, it is also helpful for storage! You can hang your stick by its loop when you’re not using it. It also just looks nice to have some extra color and decoration.

Choosing what material to use for your wrist trap is up to you. My favorite thing to use is whatever you have on hand! Again, no need to buy anything new. If you happen to have some rope – that works! If you have some paracord, that’s great! Being conscious about commercial consumption and using materials on hand is always the best option, in my opinion.

Braided hiking stick wrist loop

Plait a simple braid together with three pieces of whatever material you choose and then string it through the hole you made at the top of your hiking stick. But, first, make sure the loop fits comfortably around your wrist.

We used paracord, which is easy to manipulate, strong, and comes in various colors. If you choose paracord, make sure to melt the ends that you cut, so it doesn’t fray. Melting the material is easy to do with a lighter or match. Using a flame is a job for an adult or a supervised older child.

How to create journey sticks

While researching making hiking sticks with kids, I found an enjoyable activity to do with your completed hiking stick. The concept of a Journey Stick originated in Australia with the Aboriginal people. When they went on an expedition, they would attach objects from their trip to a wooden shaft in chronological order as reminders of their travels. They would then use these items to tell stories about their voyages when they returned home.

The journey sticks were visual representations of the story of the journey. Storytelling is an important skill for kids to learn. We as humans are more likely to attach importance to a story when we see ourselves as a part of it. When children are asked to recount the story of their adventures and explorations, they become active learners, leaders, and caretakers of their environment.

Creating journey sticks with kids

You can use your decorated hiking stick (or any hiking sticks) to create a journey stick with your kids. We took a simple wooden hiking stick out on a local trail through the woods to use as our journey stick. We brought scissors and yarn with us and I explained that we could pick up anything we wanted to tie to our stick in order to tell the story of our hike.

My youngest required help with the tying, but he chose each of his treasures by himself. Picking out items to attach to his stick made him slow down and pay attention to his surroundings; it was beautiful! He ended up choosing pine needles, a leaf that “looked like an owl,” a piece of a fir tree, a pine cone, holly leaves, lichen, phragmites, and sea myrtle. When we returned home and looked at his journey stick, I was so surprised that he could remember exactly where he found each unique token and recount the story of our hike.

Try this on a hike with your kids and see what they find! For more info, we have a great post on making journey sticks with kids.

Fun facts about hiking sticks:

After investigating all about hiking sticks and how to make them with your kids, I found some pretty fascinating factoids I thought I should share:
1. Someone who collects walking sticks is called a rabologist. (I can see adding this name to my resume!)
2. Hiking sticks are not only used for support but also for self-defense or as a fashion accessory.
3. Henry VIII was once arrested for beating a constable with his walking stick!
4. The Smithsonian has a cane with a golden handle given to President George Washington by Benjamin Franklin.
5. Tutankhamun was discovered with 130 walking sticks buried in his tomb, as he had a clubbed foot.
6. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates that 90% of through-hikers use hiking sticks or poles on the Appalachian Trail.
If you don’t have time to DIY a hiking stick

If you’d still like to get the benefits of using a hiking stick but don’t have the time or the resources to find or make your own, there are premade ones that are acceptable alternatives. Also, many people choose to use two hiking poles rather than one hiking stick. The aluminum construction allows them to be very lightweight. I’ve included options below for both poles and sticks, and there are some great options online.

The best hiking sticks for kids:
- These aluminum hiking poles are collapsable and lightweight.
- These REI brand kids hiking poles are aluminum with plastic grips.
- These customizable kid-sized hiking sticks are made from birch and are sold on Etsy.
The best hiking sticks for adults:
- These REI brand adult-sized hiking poles are made from aluminum with cork handle grips.
- These foldable adult-sized hiking poles are lightweight and have tungsten carbide tips.
- This wooden custom-made hiking stick from Etsy comes with an interchangeable tip, an alpine tip for trail walking, and a rubber bottom for paved surfaces.
Children’s hiking book recommendations

After decorating your hiking sticks with your kids, read these wonderful children’s books all about hiking and exploring nature!
- Mrs. Peanuckles Hiking Alphabet, by Mrs. Peanuckle
- Let’s Go on a Hike, by Katrina Lu
- Hiking Day, by Anne Rockwell
- Hike, by Pete Oswald
- The Hike, by Alison Farell
- Spring Hike, by Dineo Dowd
More resources about hiking with kids

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
Are you ready to make a hiking stick with your kids?

About the author

Lissy lives near the ocean on Cape Cod, Massachusetts with her husband, 2 rambunctious boys (aged 4 & 7), and an ever-growing number of pets. She grew up walking nature trails and finding joy in the beauty of nature. She now shares that love for local adventures with her community through her blog, “Get Outside Cape Cod”. Lissy knows that everyone can benefit from spending more time outdoors, and wants to inspire and support families to do just that!

You can find more from Lissy in the following online locations:
Instagram: @getoutsidecapecod
Website: Get Outside Cape Cod
Facebook: @getoutsidecapecod
RWMC Posts: Lissy Perna
FALL, HIKE, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, RECIPES
Trail-Tested Kid-Approved Hiking Snacks
- November 18, 2021
If you have kids, you know the importance of packing snacks for any outing. But what do you pack for a hike? You want something that’s easy packable, high on nutrients, fun for kids, and easy to eat on the trail. Today, Washington hiking mom of fours, RyAnn Peverly shares her family’s tried and tested hiking snacks for kids. She’s sharing her favorite recipes and variations on hiking snacks to make at home, plus some options for healthy store-bought snacks to pack for your hiking adventures. Happy snacking (and hiking)!

Trail-tested kid-approved hiking snacks

When my family is preparing to go on a hike the first thing I do is get out our backpacks and start setting everything we need in a box by the front door. Whether it’s going to be a long(ish) hike or just a quick one, being prepared ahead of time makes it so much easier to get out the door. I make sure everyone has all the things they need and all their favorites, from shoes to snacks.

Snacks perhaps are one of the most important parts of what we put in our packs (at least in the kids’ opinion). Good snacks can make the difference between a hike that turns into a slog, or one the kids remember for days to come. Loading up on kid-pleasing snacking options is one step in making sure everyone has a great day outside on the trail.

What makes a good hiking snack

There are so many options on the market today for hiking snacks that my kids are sure to like. There are a ton of pre-packed and pre-made snacks that the kids would be over the moon to eat. But, those items can really add up in terms of cost, sugar/additive intake, and waste produced. We like knowing exactly what’s in our snacks and we really enjoy working together in the kitchen to create our own healthy, easily packable, budget-friendly morsels.

In our kitchen, we love to focus on snacks that pack a punch in flavor and nutrition. The key to a good snack is that it combines these key features:
- provides a balance of carbs for quick energy, protein for long-lasting energy, and high calories in a small package;
- fit easily in a sandwich bag or lightweight lunch box;
- doesn’t require utensils for diving in.
Our favorite hiking snacks to make at home

Below, I’ve included a few of our favorite snacks to make at home as a family to take on the trail. While we love making our own snacks, it’s certainly not a necessity for hiking. If you need/want to save time, you can buy pre-made and pre-packaged snacks. Every family is different and it’s important that you do what works best for you so you can get outside and play! If that means picking up snacks from the store instead of making them at home, DO THAT! You’ll get no judgment at all! I’ve included some of our favorite store-bought snacks below.

GORP

Gorp, trail mix, scroggin, snack mix. Whatever your family calls it, this delicious mix of goodies has long been a staple of avid outdoorsmen and women. Our favorite thing about gorp is that everyone can make their own version exactly how they like it.

Gorp is probably the easiest and most budget-friendly snack all hands can help in making. Just grab a bag, fill it with your favorites, and shake.

I find the best place to get our ingredients is the bulk section of our local grocery store. That section tends to be a little cheaper than prepackaged bags of nuts and dried fruit. Another plus to procuring ingredients this way is that you can use your own reusable bags or jars and save on waste.

GORP mix varieties and ingredients

Here are a few of our top blends to help give you an idea of all the different ways you can mix ingredients to make a delicious and healthy trail snack for kids:
- Traditional
  - peanuts
  - almonds
  - raisins
  - M&M’s
  - Honey Nut Cheerios
- Tropical
  - dried pineapple
  - dried mango
  - coconut flakes
  - almonds
  - cashews
- Sweet & Spicy
  - wasabi peas
  - pecans
  - Chex cereal
  - sesame crackers
  - dried apricots
- No Nut Mix
  - chocolate covered sunflower seeds
  - mini-pretzels
  - Craisins
  - freeze fried apple
  - granola chunks
- Pantry stash
  - chocolate chips
  - Goldfish crackers
  - dried apple
  - banana chips
  - mini marshmallows
Power balls

Perhaps the best snack on the list is power balls! Power balls (also known as energy bites) combine all our snack needs in a convenient and fun two-bite package. This is another snack that allows kids to mix in their favorite ingredientss, plus they are able to get their hands messy in the DIY making process.

Power balls, like the other snacks, only take a few ingredients and can be altered to add in your favorite ingredients. These delicious balls of energy all start with the same 3 ingredient base that provide a good source of carbohydrates and protein.

Start with these three ingredients
- 1 cup dry oats
- ¼ cup nut butter
- ¼ cup honey or agave
Now, it’s time to get creative. Add a few extra mix-ins to make your favorite power ball combinations. A few of our tried and true add-ins are:
- ½ cup mini chocolate or M&M’s
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup diced nuts
- ½ cup diced dried fruit
- ¼ cup crushed pretzels or graham crackers
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows (we cut ours in half)
After mixing all ingredients in a bowl, use your hands to form the batter into balls and let harden on a cookie sheet. Power balls can be stored for up to a week in your fridge in an airtight container.

Pinwheels

We love pinwheels! Pinwheels are basically rolled-up sandwich-type creations, filled with your favorite ingredients. These can be made sweet or savory, with just a couple of items from your pantry. They can be a healthy snack out on the trail or they can become the main meal on an outing. There are tons of variations out there, but these are our favorites and never fail to please. The main ingredients in all pin-wheels are tortillas, a spread of some sort, and one or two fillings.

These tasty treats are really easy to make, and my son loves that he gets to roll and then slice them into different sizes. Just four steps and your snack is done!
1. Lay tortilla on a flat, cuttable surface
2. Smear spread out evenly in the center of the tortilla
3. Lay fillings in the center of the spread
4. Roll tortilla up, and cut into slices
Sweet pinwheel variation
- P.B. & J – this roll needs no explanation, and takes its cues from an already family favorite.
  - Peanut butter (or any nut butter will do)
  - Favorite jelly of jam
- Nutella & banana – chocolate hazelnut and bananas! How can this not be delicious?
  - Nutella
  - Nut butter
  - Banana
  - Strawberries (optional)
- Apples & Strawberries – a crowd favorite!
  - Apple butter
  - Nut Butter
  - Sliced strawberries
Savory pinwheel variations

(Savory pin-wheels will require a small ice pack to keep fresh)
- Seattle roll – named after one of my favorite sushi rolls
  - Smoked salmon
  - Cream cheese
  - Cucumber slices
- Turkey & ranch
  - Ranch dressing
  - Thin sliced turkey lunch meat
  - Cheese slices
  - Avocado
- Italian Sub
  - Mayo or mustard (or both!)
  - Salami
  - Pepperoni (for those that like a little spice)
  - Provolone cheese
  - Lettuce
Store-bought hiking snacks to keep on hand

I will admit that some days I just don’t have the time or energy to put together homemade snacks. Sometimes it’s more important for us to just get out the door and I need the quickest easiest snack options. So, I like to keep a stock of our family’s favorite store-bought snacks on hand for easy grab and go. Plus I will often throw a couple of these in my pack to add to our supply or just in case someone is extra hungry.

Fruit & veggies

We always like to throw in a couple of pieces of fresh fruit (or handfuls of berries) and a baggie of veggie sticks for that fresh flavor. Easy choices are small apples, tangerines, carrots, snap peas, cucumbers, peppers, and celery sticks. Just remember to pack out your cores and peels with you. Another option in this category is dried fruit. We love apple rings and banana chips tossed in a baggie. Fruit leather is another great option that can be bought in bulk and kept on the pantry shelves.

Bars

Please believe me when I say we have tried every energy bar and granola bar on our grocery store shelves. Store-bought bars can be expensive and packed with all kinds of things, so I try to pick those with simple, whole food ingredients that offer tons of flavor. After years of taste testing, we have certainly decided on a few top choices. Our go-to’s are CLIF Zbars, Lara Bars, and Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars.

Jerky

Jerky is an easy snack and always a favorite with the kids. We always keep a few packages on hand. My kids have always preferred jerky sticks, and honestly, I think they are a little easier to pack and open. Some of our favorite brands are Vermont Smoke and Cure, CHOMPS, and Bavarian Meats.

How to pack your hiking snacks

Store-bought snacks often come in their own easy, lightweight packages. But when you make your own or buy in bulk it’s necessary to carry your snacks in some sort of container. As a family, we have made a commitment to try and use reusable containers as much as possible. Did you know that Americans throw away enough plastic each year to circle the Earth four times? We’re trying to do our part to cut that number down. We hope you will, too.

There are a lot of great options on the market to fit all budgets. These are the top four that our family uses for every outing.
- Full Circle reusable sandwich and snack bags
- RUSSBE reusable bags (these come in gallon to snack size)
- Kleen Kanteen lunch box set
- Bee’s wrap
Snack happy!

Hopefully, with this list of kid-tested and approved snacks, your family can get out there on the trail and enjoy a great day outdoors building memories and not complaining because of grumbling bellies. We hope this helps you hike happier and longer!

More resources about hiking with kids

If you’re interested in more great content about hiking with kids, be sure to check out the following posts:
What are your kids’ favorite hiking snacks?

About the author

RyAnn is a mom of four (20, 18, 15, 6) that loves exploring her home in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a youth outdoor program instructor for the Mountaineers Org. in Washington state. RyAnn also loves getting out and adventuring with her family as much as possible. They enjoy traveling around the PNW in their converted Sprinter campervan. On her days off she generally loads up the van and hits the trails for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or climbing. RyAnn is passionate about instilling love and respect for outdoor spaces in her kids and the youth she is lucky to work with.

You can find more from RyAnn in the following locations:
Instagram: @mountain_mama4
Website: Mountain Mama
RWMC posts: Ryann Peverly