8 tips for encourage children to go hiking

Are the mountains calling, but your children are dragging their feet at the thought of a walk?

Don’t panic! Hiking can be a thrilling adventure if you know how to present it. By combining play, discovery and imagination, you can turn every outing into a fun-filled experience that brings the family closer together. Here are 8 detailed tips to motivate your little explorers and make them keen to put on their trainers!

Walks & hikes in Chambéry Montagnes

Is your child an adventurer? 1. Set a challenge

Challenge yourself to go the extra mile! Set a clear goal: reaching a summit, finding a hidden waterfall, or simply counting the different types of flowers you come across along the way. You could even set them a task: to be the first to spot a particular bird or to find a rock shaped like an animal.

The sense of pride on reaching the finish will be a wonderful reward. To make the experience even more special, why not keep a challenge logbook where every achievement is recorded with a photo or a drawing?

To make the challenge even more exciting, consider setting up a rewards system. A small badge, a wooden medal or even a ‘super hiker’ certificate can motivate the youngest children to push their limits whilst having fun.

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Alpigraphie / Kröll Matthias - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

2. Set off on an animal trail

Children with a love of nature will be fascinated by the local wildlife. Keep an eye out for animal tracks, look for birds’ feathers or watch the marmots whistling in the mountain pastures. Some walks even offer the chance to meet dairy farmers and their herds.

You can also download an app for identifying animal tracks to make the activity even more immersive. Just imagine their excitement when they discover that a deer or a fox has been there before them!

Don’t hesitate to teach them how to imitate animal calls either. A marmot’s whistle, an owl’s hoot or a cow’s moo quickly become fun elements that turn the walk into an interactive game with nature.

3. Take a mascot along as a travelling companion

If your child has a favourite soft toy, why not include it in the adventure? Taking a photo of their soft toy at the summit, by a lake or under a striking tree can become a fun ritual that will encourage them to keep walking.

Some families even create travel journals where the soft toy ‘narrates’ its adventures. Add drawings, anecdotes and a few souvenirs collected along the way (a leaf, a pebble, a dried flower) to enrich this playful experience.

Another idea: turn the mascot into a proper expedition guide. Give it a narrative role by having it ask questions or set tasks for the children. That way, it’s the mascot setting them challenges, not the parents!

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©Alpigraphie / Kröll Matthias - Grand Chambery Alpes Tourisme

4. Turn the walk into a game

Play is the key to success with children. Why not organise a treasure hunt where each stage of the walk reveals a clue? Some trails are already designed as fun adventures, such as the ‘Maîtres des Monts Désertés’ trail in the Bauges massif.

You could also organise a role-play game: your child could become a knight on a quest for lost treasure, an explorer searching for a secret passage, or a detective investigating mysterious clues.

Another fun idea: turn the walk into a life-size escape game. Hide small objects along the route, leave clues in the form of riddles, and create a puzzle that the children will have to solve to reach their destination.

5. Going for a walk with friends

Children always walk better when they’re with a friend. Invite another family along, and the excitement of sharing the experience will banish any thoughts of boredom. Imagination runs wild, and the kilometres fly by without them even noticing.

As well as providing motivation, this encourages sharing and mutual support. They’ll learn to cheer each other on and enjoy shared adventures that will strengthen their team spirit.

Why is this good?

Shared memories

Hiking becomes a family adventure that brings young and old closer together.

A bowl of energy

Walking in the great outdoors is a fun way to get some exercise, away from screens.

Awakening curiosity

Landscapes, animals, stories… every step is a new discovery.

6. Give him a small rucksack

Involving your child by giving them a small task will help them feel responsible and proud. A light rucksack with a water bottle, a small snack and perhaps an explorer’s notebook will do the trick. For the little ones, the hike’s mascot can travel in their rucksack!

Let them choose what they want to take (within reason) so they feel fully involved in the expedition. Having a specific role gives them a sense of importance and responsibility.

Why not slip a little surprise into their rucksack? A compass, a whistle or even a chocolate bar to discover along the way will add a touch of excitement to the walk.

7. Make sure you’re properly equipped For all conditions

A child who’s feeling cold or wearing uncomfortable shoes will soon want to go home. Make sure you pack clothes suitable for the weather, a windproof jacket, a cap and good shoes. If it’s raining, puddles become an irresistible playground!

Don’t forget sunglasses and sun cream in summer, and gloves and hats in winter. A well-equipped child is a happy child, ready to explore!

A little extra tip: let them have a say in choosing their own gear. A child who gets to choose their favourite jacket or hat will be much more keen to wear them.

BONUS Telling a story whilst walking

There’s nothing like a captivating story to take your mind off tiredness. Make up a tale inspired by the landscape around you: ‘Does this forest harbour a secret kingdom? Does this river lead to a treasure? ’ Get the children involved in the storytelling to make them part of their own adventure.

You could also listen to podcasts suitable for young adventurers or have them solve riddles along the way.

Ready for an adventure?

With these tips, a family hike will become a special experience, where every step is a chance for discovery and fun. The mountains of Chambéry Montagnes are waiting for you to create unforgettable memories. So, where shall we go this weekend?