Hiking with children

Children are more motivated when they are involved in planning the tour. They may even have their own ideas of where they want to go. These ideas should always be taken into account

Children enjoy hiking more when there is enough to see and do along the way. Choose a family-friendly trail with plenty to explore for the children.

Include enough time for breaks when planning your tour. It will help keep your children motivated when something interesting awaits at the end of each section of the tour, for example a playground or a barbecue area.

If there is a treat in sight, every child will enjoy the hike. This can be a playground or an ice cream, for example, at the end of the tour or a leg of the tour.

Good equipment is essential. And the children will enjoy packing their own rucksacks in the morning

Nibble a few nuts en route or eat an apple slice. And hiking is twice the fun when you bring a picnic.

Encourage the children to collect mementos of the tour, for example pinecones, stones or flowers.

Plan extensive breaks. This gives the children time to build stone men, make little flower wreaths or whittle walking sticks.

Children always enjoy having little competitions along the way like counting rowan trees etc. This makes time fly on any hiking tour!