Try a dry run without your child.
Familiarize yourself with the trail (get to know the difficulty level and duration). If your favorite places have lots of water, you might discover you have to go inland to seek out little creeks and swimming holes. Others might choose a particular trail based on the proximity of restrooms and air-conditioned restaurants.
Choose a trail that's the right distance and terrain for your youngest hiker.
Nothing spoils an outdoor trek more quickly than an unhappy hiker. Whether you're taking a group of children or going with just one, be sure the youngest will enjoy the hike as much as the oldest.
Go early.
You want your child to have his batteries fully charged when you hit the trail.The earlier you get there, the sooner you can get back home for lunch and nap-time for the little ones. With an older child who can hike longer distances, starting early will still get you back to your car before the sun starts to set.
Plan rest stops.
Children tire easily, so plan to stop and explore more often than not. Choose a couple spots throughout the journey to rest and refuel with snacks and water. Sometimes a waterfall, lake, or beautiful vista at the top of a trail is an exciting goal to hike toward. However, just remember your child will likely be more energized by the journey than the destination, so be flexible and prepared to let go of goals if your child gets sidetracked by nature's beauty.
Make it fun for everyone.
Think of educational and fun activities to do along the way that will keep your child entertained. Learn to identify some of the local trees and flowers so you can point them out to your child as you wander. Singing, playing games, and telling stories will also keep children interested and make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
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