Australia & New Zealand Outdoor Adventure Forum

Like a scoutmaster, you can be trekking with your kids. And how do you go about it for the first time? Take note that the kids have no orientation whatsoever so you don't just go. First, you have to teach them the proper way of walking in trails, the correcct behavior and mindset. Give priority to safety, of course. And last is how to enjoy the trekking especially if the trail is muddy or dusty.

Here we used to go for hiking many times, even kids take part in it. Though if there are kids we don't go for hard route. Kids enjoy this kind of activity lot. Yes it is necessary to teach them different thing regarding hiking and trekking before going for it. Kids are always fast learner so they do well most of the time.

What a coincident, I have just come back from a trekking adventure with a 6 years old. In fact I wanted to keep him off from internet so I asked him to join me for a picnic and filled my bag with some of his favorite items like chips, candy, lollies which he generally doesn't get in normal routine. We crossed over the trekking lane at Penrith cricket stadium and went to a remote area toward Nepean River where people gather with their vintage cars. We two walked for almost 4-5 kilometers in a perfect manner. By the way the kid I walked with knows all about road rules and how to manage rubbish so I had not much of a trouble "trekking" in his company.

Since I really don't have so much experience trekking I don't think I would take a kid with me unless there was another person with us who is more of an expert. Sounds like fun though and would love to give ot a try, there just no good trails near by i would have to travel a few hours. @ray1 looks like you guys had a great time and it's even better that the kid knew the rules for his safety.

I haven't had the experience of trekking with kids, I can think it will be tough and at same time interesting. My thoughts if you are going to have to trek with kids then first you will need give them the needed orientation. They have to be properly trained on behavior, mindset, maintaining paths while on such an activity.

@kamai yes that was a great trip I must say but I wanted to go a little further but for the hot sun despite it's almost beginning of winters but the day was hotter than it should of been. Yes the kids here are normally well trained about rules and garbage management besides the traffic in this area is well managed and walking paths in place.
@tony I wish I could go on for a little longer but the boy started showing the signs of tiredness due to sun. I must say the boy behaved perfectly although he gets unruly at times.

Ray1 wrote:What a coincident, I have just come back from a trekking adventure with a 6 years old. In fact I wanted to keep him off from internet so I asked him to join me for a picnic and filled my bag with some of his favorite items like chips, candy, lollies which he generally doesn't get in normal routine. We crossed over the trekking lane at Penrith cricket stadium and went to a remote area toward Nepean River where people gather with their vintage cars. We two walked for almost 4-5 kilometers in a perfect manner. By the way the kid I walked with knows all about road rules and how to manage rubbish so I had not much of a trouble "trekking" in his company.

Wow, it look like you had lots of fun in that. It sounds quite interesting. I love this kind of activity. Here we had went to one temple which is in the jungle and the way of going there is also kind of hiking. Though it is having steps to reach to temple. I guess there is around 2000 steps and whole way is in the jungle. As we were having kids at that time around same age you mentioned , we were doubtful that if they will able to reach to temple. Then we decided to go there and if kids will not able to go further we will returned. But fortunately kids had done really well then our expectation and reached to destination without getting more tired. Actually they have done better than many adults. lol

Trekking with kids is a terrible idea. This is because kids will get tired fast and start nagging you to go back. They may even want you to carry them. I have a baby sister and one day I decided to trek with her. Without even getting far, she started to cry citing fatigue. I had to carry her till we went back home. I think kids can only cope with road trips. That way you will both have fun and they will not complain a lot.

@Gad Here in Australia two things that kids are good at include swimming and walking. In fact Australians love walking and swimming in general due to wide spread beauty allover the places including long beaches, forests and natural greenery. Kids are regularly engaged in outdoor activities and they love outdoor activities. You will be surprised to note that Australian Government leaves nothing to chance for encouraging its citizens for taking full advantage of Nature by providing appropriate facilities.

Yeah, I can imagine that in Australia people have to be good swimming, I mean, it's an island! I think it's pretty great that the Australian government provides such opportunities with facilities, after all sports are healthy and mean a big saving from governments on health care.