10 Easy Boston-area Hikes for Preschoolers
Submitted by AMC Boston on
Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community.
If you want to instill a love of hiking in your preschooler, make your trips truly enjoyable for everyone. Start off slow and easy, with hikes that have quick payoffs, such as waterfalls, ponds, bridges, boulders or trees to climb, chances to encounter animals (like at farms), and even playgrounds.
As your young hikers get more comfortable, introduce longer hikes, with goals like how long you hike for or how many miles you go. Get your kids involved in the whole adventure from the start, from choosing where to go to helping plan the route. Even if your kids can’t read a map yet, they will love having one anyway, as well as being in charge of their own gear. Get them an appropriately-sized backpack and have them at least carry their own water bottle and snack. They’ll feel empowered, and you’ll be ready to go!