Beautiful easy hikes with kids

[Anonymous]

I have a kindergarten daughter and we would like to go on some hikes this summer. Last year, we went to Muir Woods in California and loved it. Am considering Bar Harbor Maine or Antelope Canyon in Nevada but not sure how hard it would be for her. My daughter loved her stroller and if we would allow, she would probably still sit in it.

Can you recommend beautiful scenic easy hikes with a kindergartener?

We went to Hawaii last year and was able to hike Diamond Head. 1 mile would probably be her max.

[Anonymous]

This is a photographer’s site that has hiking guides for Acadia, Zion, and Yosemite. Anything marked with a green circle is family friendly. We used this on our Acadia trip and it was accurate and helpful. His trail descriptions are incredibly detailed and include photos.

https://www.citrusmilo.com/

[Anonymous]

Too hot in the summer but Moab/Arches and Sedona are great with kids because most of the hikes are short bust still have incredible views.

My son hike up to delicate arch in arches when he was 4.5. It's about 3 miles. While she may not like walking around the mall or neighborhood I have found that my kids will hike/wall longer when in a place with cool scenery.

[Anonymous]

Closer to DC, Shenandoah National Park has beautiful hikes. Further afield, any of the Utah national parks are great, and the Rocky Mountains.

[Anonymous]

Definitely agree on cooler hikes as key. Maybe check out Washington state, Acadia or Vermont?

[Anonymous]

We went to Acadia when my kids were 2, 5, and 7 - plenty of easy hikes there. I recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Deep creek for a long weekend is fun in the summer- we went in August and it was cool - hiking to waterfalls etc. Kids ages ranged from 3 to 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kindergarten daughter and we would like to go on some hikes this summer. Last year, we went to Muir Woods in California and loved it. Am considering Bar Harbor Maine or Antelope Canyon in Nevada but not sure how hard it would be for her. My daughter loved her stroller and if we would allow, she would probably still sit in it.

Can you recommend beautiful scenic easy hikes with a kindergartener?

We went to Hawaii last year and was able to hike Diamond Head. 1 mile would probably be her max.

Why can your kindergartner only hike 1 mile? My kids could hike at least 2 miles by 3 yo. By 5-6 yo, 3 miles should be no problem unless your kid has a disability. I bought my kids little camelbacks and put fun snacks in them to make it more fun (of course they don't need either, but it helps get them excited about hiking).

[Anonymous]

Get your kid a Fitbit or some kind of tracker to count their daily steps to work up their stamina to over 1 mile. 1 mile is not much at all and they can probably do more as long as they aren't too hot, thirsty or hungry.

[Anonymous]

We just did Sedona with a 4 yo and 2 yo. Many easy trails with amazing scenery and fun stuff like creeks to wade in or climb-able parts. My 4 yo was fine on the “easy” trails. My 2 yo was not able to keep up though (not totally unexpected - he is 2) and he didn’t really even want to be in the carrier sometimes. But what we quickly found is if we looked up photo op attractions that were not classified as a true “hike” we still got in 1 mile + of walking and had great views. Example - Crescent Moon State Park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kindergarten daughter and we would like to go on some hikes this summer. Last year, we went to Muir Woods in California and loved it. Am considering Bar Harbor Maine or Antelope Canyon in Nevada but not sure how hard it would be for her. My daughter loved her stroller and if we would allow, she would probably still sit in it.

Can you recommend beautiful scenic easy hikes with a kindergartener?

We went to Hawaii last year and was able to hike Diamond Head. 1 mile would probably be her max.

Why can your kindergartner only hike 1 mile? My kids could hike at least 2 miles by 3 yo. By 5-6 yo, 3 miles should be no problem unless your kid has a disability. I bought my kids little camelbacks and put fun snacks in them to make it more fun (of course they don't need either, but it helps get them excited about hiking).

Well my 5 year old hiked the AT trail on her own. So there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your kid a Fitbit or some kind of tracker to count their daily steps to work up their stamina to over 1 mile. 1 mile is not much at all and they can probably do more as long as they aren't too hot, thirsty or hungry.

As a counterpoint, even if a kid is capable of walking more than a mile, it may not be desirable to venture much further out on a trail when it’s hot and/or unshaded and kids’ moods are unpredictable when traveling. I favor hikes when I know, worst case, I can grab them and haul ‘em back without exhausting myself. Especially when I am far from home. So 1 m makes sense as a practical option in general for small kids who don’t hike a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get your kid a Fitbit or some kind of tracker to count their daily steps to work up their stamina to over 1 mile. 1 mile is not much at all and they can probably do more as long as they aren't too hot, thirsty or hungry.

As a counterpoint, even if a kid is capable of walking more than a mile, it may not be desirable to venture much further out on a trail when it’s hot and/or unshaded and kids’ moods are unpredictable when traveling. I favor hikes when I know, worst case, I can grab them and haul ‘em back without exhausting myself. Especially when I am far from home. So 1 m makes sense as a practical option in general for small kids who don’t hike a ton.

You can turn back at any point. You don't have to do the complete out and back trail. But 1/2 mile out and back will barely get you of the parking lot of some hikes. Just walk as far as everyone is able and turn back when necessary. You don't need to find a trail that is specifically 1 mile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get your kid a Fitbit or some kind of tracker to count their daily steps to work up their stamina to over 1 mile. 1 mile is not much at all and they can probably do more as long as they aren't too hot, thirsty or hungry.

As a counterpoint, even if a kid is capable of walking more than a mile, it may not be desirable to venture much further out on a trail when it’s hot and/or unshaded and kids’ moods are unpredictable when traveling. I favor hikes when I know, worst case, I can grab them and haul ‘em back without exhausting myself. Especially when I am far from home. So 1 m makes sense as a practical option in general for small kids who don’t hike a ton.

You can turn back at any point. You don't have to do the complete out and back trail. But 1/2 mile out and back will barely get you of the parking lot of some hikes. Just walk as far as everyone is able and turn back when necessary. You don't need to find a trail that is specifically 1 mile.

Well yes of course ….

[Anonymous]

When our kids were little we did try to stick to ~1 mile for most hikes. It really depends on how far you you can carry a kid back to the car.