I’m one of those parents that actually prefers that my kids let me haul them on the trail. While I do find joy in seeing my children love to explore and play, it also takes some work for me to be patient with the process (and not track our progress haha). Huck let me carry him most days until he was 4.5. Tatum started insisting (screaming) on hiking herself when she was about 14-16 months old. It almost seems like kids have their own time table of when they are interested in hiking independently. Here are 5 tips that I found to be true for BOTH of my kids, despite their different levels of interest in hiking.

1. Find The Right Shoe

Our 18 month old daughter refuses to walk- she runs. This has resulted in several bumps, bruises, and even some stitches. I notice that she does MUCH better with her footing when she has a lightweight, low tread hiking shoe. While Merrell makes several good kids’ shoes, we have had the best success with our toddler in the Bare Steps line, (the Ridge Jr, specifically). Since we aren’t taking her on technical trails, and she is only hiking 1-2 miles, she typically doesn’t need a shoe with a lot of tread.

2. Choose The Right Trail

If there is a ledge on a trail, our toddler will walk right next to it. And don’t get me started on a trail next to a river. Gahhh! It’s so much more stressful to have to be patrolling full time to keep her from falling off the trail. Instead, we try to find wider trails that are mostly free from drop offs. Same thing applies to hiking next to rivers. I love hiking next to rivers with my 5 year old! But it’s been too stressful to keep chasing after Tatum at this age. Instead of wrestling her next to the river while she screams at me, I’m choosing dry trails right now.

3. Bring The Pack (just in case)

Toddlers are unpredictable. Some days they will run for miles, and other days they want to be held. Instead of navigating a rocky trail with a toddler in my arms, I like to bring my pack just in case somebody wants a ride. Yes, it’s bulkier than my day pack. And I typically unload it back at the car after a hike full of nothing more than pinecones and rocks that the kids collect and make me carry.

4. Keep Expectations Low

Although your toddler might be setting new PR’s, you likely won’t be crushing yours. Now that Tatum is hiking, I let go of expectations to finish a 3 mile hike or reach a summit (unless she lets me carry her). Instead I go with the expectation that we are going to be outside for two hours (or one hour, or a full day). End of story. I don’t care how far we go, how fast we move, and I know there will be at least a few tears when I have to carry her over a stream or when she trips along the trail. That’s okay!

5. Make It A Game

My oldest child was less interested in hiking as a toddler. We still have to work to keep him excited some days. We are constantly looking for grasshoppers/beetles, doing a scavenger hunt, or collecting rocks. It keeps everybody feeling playful and positive.

Remember, your goal isn’t to raise a hardcore mountaineer at this stage. You want to have a lifelong hiking buddy! The first step is to help them build some confidence and love to be outside on the trail.

Camping

Luxury Desert Adventure (with a side of Ranch Life)

We’re used to “dirt bagging” it in Moab. We actually drive right by the Sorrel River Ranch every time on our way out of town (sleep deprived and shower deprived), and have been FANTASIZING about booking a trip for our family. “But! Would staying here change everything we love about a trip to Moab?” Turns out: Only in the best ways possible! Let me tell you what we loved about staying at the Sorrel River Ranch.