036 How to Prepare and Motivate Kids to Hike

Going on a hike is one of my favorite ways to spend meaningful time with my family. Whether you are an active hiker or have never hit the trails, I hope you’ll listen in to this episode with Lesley Davis where we chat all about hiking as a family. There are so many lessons that can be learned while hiking together: endurance, determination, goal setting, patience, encouragement, gaining physical strength and so much more.

We talk about things to consider before leaving for the trails, what type of gear & snacks have worked well for Lesley and her family, ideas for keeping kids motivated during the kid plus ways to discover great hikes. We also talk about some of the favorite hikes Lesley has been able to go on with her family.

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“Hiking is a fun way to teach your kids so many life lessons.”

— Lesley Davis

Connect with Lesley on Instagram

Preparing for the Hike

Things to pack: Snacks (favorites are raisins, no salt nuts, sandwiches), water, phone and Go Pro

Favorite hiking apps to research trails: All Trails and Wikiloc (great in Europe)

Gear: Basic backpack for each family member (mom shouldn’t carry everything), sturdy shoes (it’s okay if they aren’t fancy hiking shoes especially if you are traveling and go have space for them.)

During the hike

Keeping kids motivated: Set clear expectations of the hike before starting, motivate with snacks, tell stories, go to specific points they can see, and then pick a new point.

Some of Lesley’s Favorite Hikes

Badlands, South Dakota

Yellowstone

Grand Tetons

Angel’s Landing

Narrows

Bryce Canyon

Looking for an easy way to find clothes for your next trip? Consider trying out this episode’s sponsor, Stitch Fix, where you can request clothes chosen by a personal shopper and they will be delivered right to your door. I’ve used this service for years and love the convenience.

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