“Play is how kids learn. When something is fun, we want to do that activity again. Involving kids in fun, engaging outdoor activities will instill a desire to continue playing outside.” – Jeff Alt, Get Your Kids Hiking: How to Start Them Young and Keep it Fun!
You might not think of hiking as fun. But there’s certainly no reason it can’t be. At least, that’s what Jeff Alt believes (me, too!). And he’s been at it a while, having walked the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, the 218-mile John Muir Trail and taken a 50-mile family trek across Ireland with his 21-month old daughter on his back.
Alt’s latest book, Get Your Kids Hiking: How to Start Them Young and Keep it Fun!, is devoted to helping parents get outside hiking as a family.
What’s inside Get Your Kids Hiking?
The 240-page book is packed with everything you need to know to hit the trail with kids, from gear suggestions to simple ideas to make your hikes safe and fun. In it, you’ll find:
- Age-specific hiking guidance whether you have a newborn, teen or kids somewhere in between. This makes it easy to quickly refer to the chapter that’s right for your family.
- Simple, age-appropriate ideas to make hiking fun, like participating in junior ranger programs, playing I-Spy or identifying birds.
- Detailed checklists of what to carry on day hikes and overnighters.
- Advice for families of children with special needs.
- Kid-friendly menu ideas for hiking and backpacking.
- Basic survival skills like navigation tools, what to do when you encounter a variety of wild animals and first aid tips.
- Inspiration to help you make the leap from day hiking to backpacking with kids.
- Personal stories at the end of every chapter and black and white photos at the beginning. These are nice touches that help show you what family hiking looks like.
You might want a copy of Get Your Kids Hiking if …
- You’ve never taken your child hiking before but want to.
- You need some help knowing what gear is essential for day hiking with kids.
- You’re looking for ideas to make your family hikes more fun.
- You have a child with special needs and want to hike together as a family.
- You think you’re not experienced enough to take your kids out on the trail.
- You aren’t sure when your kids might be ready for a backpacking adventure.
Remember: No matter how much you hiked or backpacked before having kids, it’s not the same as doing so with kids. Which means there’s something in Get Your Kids Hiking for almost everyone – from the total novice to the seasoned hiker.
Get Your Kids Hiking retails for $13.95.
Note: I received a free copy of Get Your Kids Hiking in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
The book is a must for active grandparents. If it only gives you one idea for more fun in the woods, it will have been worth it.
That's a good idea, Mel! Our 8 & 5 year old still do a fare share of complaining & don't like to go much farther than a mile or two. And that's under even the most perfect of conditions. Gotta stick with it, though, right?
There should be a chapter on Basic Survival Skills for parents 🙂 Some of those toddler hikes were brutal. I'm glad we stuck with it though, because now we have a 6-year-old backpacker and a 5-year-old that only complains once a mile or so.