Park Rangers Encourage This Type Of Exploring To Make Hiking More Enjoyable For Kids

National parks make for some of the best adventure trips for families. There are lots of hands-on activities you can participate in with your little ones while educating them about the environment and instilling a love for nature. Hiking is a must-do activity when you're in any national park, and there are plenty of trails with varying levels of difficulty that you can explore with your kiddos – including trails that are low effort and high reward.

But as fun as a family hike can be, it is no easy feat, especially if you have young kids. Keeping them locked in during a hike may prove to be more difficult than the hike itself as they battle fatigue, boredom, and various other factors that torment their tiny bodies. National Park rangers have plenty of tips on how to keep your children engaged during hikes.

The main thing to keep in mind is that it's all about the journey, not the destination. While you, as the adult, may be looking forward to a tall waterfall or a picturesque view at the peak point of the trail, your child's mind may find it difficult to think that far ahead. They may want to stop and stare at an interesting plant or critter they found or investigate a tree stump. Keep them engaged throughout the hike by entertaining their natural curiosity. You can even turn this into an opportunity to educate them about what they're seeing. It'll add time to your trip but the reward is worth it.

Another great way to enhance your incredible family-friendly outdoor adventures is to enroll your kids in the Junior Ranger program offered in many national parks. This free activity will keep your kids engaged throughout the whole day and they will end the day feeling accomplished. Plus, they get rewarded with a neat souvenir in the form of a badge. 

The first thing you need to do is head over to your park's visitor center and speak with a ranger about participating in the program. They will give your child a booklet full of activities you can complete throughout the day. These activities can range from connect-the-dot games, learning the names of native plants, identifying animals you may see on hikes, and more. Once the booklet is filled out, you can take it back to the visitor center, where a ranger will have your child sworn in with a pledge and reward you with a badge. It's easy, free, and a great memory maker!

There are plenty of ways to find kid-friendly activities before you even enter a national park. After you decide which park you want to visit, check out the "For Kids" section on the park's website for information on interactive events, guided programs, family-friendly trails, and other fun activities. Many of these offerings are usually free. When in doubt on what to do, don't be afraid to ask a park ranger for some direction. They'll help you find the best hikes and outdoor activities at your destination.

But remember, as smart as it is to have a solid plan going into the trip, it is also important to be as flexible as possible. This may mean skipping out on activities, turning around mid-hike, or doing nothing but sitting in one spot, admiring the views all day. Pay attention to your child's interests and needs and lean into those, even if they don't align with yours. There are plenty of great ways to make memories as a family, and the ones you come away with may be memories that you never anticipated.

Last but not least, turn educational knowledge into games. Have a competition for who can spot the most trees. Find something that begins with every letter of the alphabet. Bring a magnifying glass to inspect bugs. Pack paint swatches from your local hardware store and have your children try to find the perfect matches out in nature. Ask your kids to focus on an area for a few seconds then close their eyes and describe what they saw. The possibilities are endless and so is the fun.