Planning a Family Hike? Read These Tips First for a Whine-Free Experience

Nothing could ruin a perfectly peaceful springtime hike faster than a chorus of complaints from your children. Whether you consider yourselves an outdoor family or you're just trying to get your kids outside more, going on family hikes can be a blast! But if you're new to hiking (or your kids are new to hiking), don't be surprised when you hear, "I'm hungry!" "I'm tired!" or "Are we there yet?" all within the first 10 minutes.

You don't have to go anywhere fancy to hike, but national parks are great places to visit if you're planning a vacation or have one near you. Some of the best national parks for families include:

Sequoia National Park
Isle Royale National Park
Big Bend National Park

Hiking with kids is a fantastic experience for the whole family, but it may take some preparation to ensure it's enjoyable for everyone. If you're planning on hiking with your kids, don't set out on the trail without reading these tips first for a whine-free experience.

This post was updated in January 2026 with updated information about hiking with kids.

First, Let's Be Realistic

Before you head out on your first hike or even think about planning it, it's important to be realistic about the experience. Consider things like the age of your children, how long the hike is, and what the weather is like before planning your outdoor adventure.

Some Kids May Do Better Than Others

Depending on your child's age, temperament, and interests, they may immediately love hiking, or they may find the entire experience to be torturous. Either way, these tips will help you prepare your kids for a great hike, but keep in mind that different kids may do better than others, even within the same family.

Try a Test Run First

At a certain point, your family might love hiking together and even be able to go on long hikes without whining. But for their first hike, it's best to start small. You might take them to a local park or nature preserve and go on short day hikes before planning a longer trip.

Spend Some Time Outdoors

Preparing for their first hike might also look like spending some time outdoors in nature. Whether you choose to take them camping or geocaching, getting used to being in the great outdoors will build more excitement for your first hike.

Go at Their Pace

On a hike, some people are determined to get to their destination while others prefer to stop and smell the flowers. It's nearly guaranteed that a hike with kids is going to be a slower one, but giving them some control over the pace will help make it enjoyable for them.

Bring Their Favorite Snacks

No hike would be complete without snacks to enjoy along the way. Snacks like trail mix and granola bars are perfect for this type of activity. Not to mention, your kids' favorite snacks and drinks are a great way to motivate them and keep their energy up during the hike.

Play Games on the Hike

If you're on a long stretch where there's not much to see, this is the time to keep your kids engaged with some fun games. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate — simple games like I Spy are perfect for engaging little ones in their surroundings.

Set the Example

One of the best ways to make family hikes enjoyable is by modeling the behavior you want your kids to display. During the hike, your feet might start to hurt, or you might start to feel tired too. But staying positive and showing your kids that you're having fun will help them develop a positive attitude.

Make It Educational

All kids have different interests. If you can connect the hike to something your kiddo might be interested in, they'll be just as excited as you. Before their first hike, check out some books on different birds they can look out for or plants they might see on the way. If they're light enough, they can even bring the book with them on the hike.

Keep Track of Your Hikes

Another way to keep your kids excited about hiking is to keep track of the hikes you've been on. If you're planning on visiting National Parks, you can get a copy of the National Parks Passport for your family to track which ones you've visited, as the program remains available in 2026.

Let Them Decide

Kids love to be in charge. Unfortunately, it's not always helpful for kids to make decisions when it comes to planning. However, there are little ways you can motivate your kids by letting them make decisions about the experience. It can be simple things like letting them choose the trail snacks or letting them decide on lunch afterwards.

Be Flexible

All parents know that raising kids requires constant flexibility. Things happen, and plans change — it's just a part of parenting life. The same is true for your hikes. If your kids can't make it as far as you wanted or you even choose to change directions, try to view it as part of the adventure.

Be Consistent

If you try your first family hike and it doesn't go so well, don't give up. Being consistent and going on hikes more frequently will help your kids get past any hang-ups they have. Even if you have to start small or go on the same hike more than once, keep trying until you find what works.

Reward Them at the End

In an ideal world, your kids will learn to love hiking, and they'll even ask to go on another one. But if your kids are particularly resistant to the idea, or you have small children who need more of a push, offer a reward for every mile they walk without complaining. And if they make it through the whole hike, don't forget to celebrate!