AMC Outdoors, June 2000

By Michael Lanza

Richie and Suzi Holstein have learned in the school of hard walks how to keep children smiling on the trail. New Hampshire Chapter trip leaders for 14 years, they have led and coordinated family trips for much of that time. Their foremost piece of advice? Throw out all expectations. When hiking with kids, it's not the destination anymore but the getting there that's the important part.

Here are more pearls of Holstein wisdom to ponder as you lace up your kid's boots.

• Move at a child's pace. Take frequent, short rest breaks.
  
  
• Dole out food that they enjoy, like candy, in small amounts frequently.
  
  
• Keep young children engaged by playing games, singing a song, or just being silly. The Holsteins often play hiking games called "Look for the Alphabet," finding the shape of letters in nature, and "Nature Detective," in which the child must find an interesting object to talk about with the group. "Twenty Questions" works with all ages.
  
  
• Put the slowest hiker, or the kid who's tired or discouraged, in front; that kid will "take off like a shot," say the Holsteins. Older kids like to take responsibility for a younger child, and the younger one will want to impress the older.
  
  
• With more than one family, try to have a child who's having a bad day hike with someone besides his or her own parent.
  
  
• Let older kids bring a friend.
  
  
• Exercise extra caution, and be more willing to turn around. Kids love a challenge, but don't push too hard.
  
  
• Remember: Adults are there to be outdoors; kids are there to be with parents. Take time to enjoy the hike.

—Michael Lanza is author of The Ultimate Guide to Backcountry Travel, from AMC Books.