8 tips to motivate children to go hiking

Is your child an adventurer? 1. Propose a challenge

Go beyond your limits! Find a clear objective: reach a summit, find a hidden waterfall, or simply count the different types of flowers you come across along the way. You could even give them a mission: be the first to see a particular bird or spot a rock in the shape of an animal.

The sense of pride they’ll feel when they arrive will be a great reward. To add to the experience, why not keep a challenge book in which every success is recorded with a photo or drawing?

To make the challenge even more stimulating, think about organising a system of rewards. A small badge, a wooden medal or even a “super hiker” diploma can motivate the youngest to go beyond their limits while having fun.

©Alpigraphie / Kröll Matthias - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

2. Playing with animals

Nature-loving children will be fascinated by the local wildlife. Look out for animal tracks, search for bird feathers or watch marmots whistling in the mountain pastures. Some walks even offer the chance to meet the alp farmers and their herds.

You can also download an animal footprint recognition application to make the activity even more immersive. Imagine their enthusiasm when they discover that a deer or a fox has been there before them!

And don’t hesitate to teach them to imitate animal calls. A marmot’s whistle, an owl’s hoot or a cow’s moo quickly become playful elements that transform the walk into an interactive game with nature.

3. Take along a mascot as a travelling companion

If your child has a favourite cuddly toy, why not make it part of the adventure? Taking photos of his cuddly toy at the summit, near a lake or under a remarkable tree can become a fun ritual that will encourage him to continue the walk.

Some families even create travel diaries in which the mascot “recounts” his adventures. Add drawings, anecdotes and a few souvenirs collected along the way (leaf, pebble, dried flower) to enrich this fun experience.

Another idea: turn the mascot into a real expedition guide. Give him a narrative role by having him ask the children questions or give them missions. That way, it’s the mascot who’s challenging them, not the parents!

4. Put yourself in the shoes of an explorer

Nature-loving children will be fascinated by the local wildlife. Look out for animal tracks, search for bird feathers or watch marmots whistling in the mountain pastures. Some walks even offer the chance to meet the alp farmers and their herds.

You can also download an animal footprint recognition application to make the activity even more immersive. Imagine their enthusiasm when they discover that a deer or a fox has been there before them!

And don’t hesitate to teach them to imitate animal calls. A marmot’s whistle, an owl’s hoot or a cow’s moo quickly become playful elements that transform the walk into an interactive game with nature.

©©Alpigraphie / Kröll Matthias - Grand Chambery Alpes Tourisme

5. Turning the walk into a game

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

You can also organise a role-playing game: your child becomes a knight in search of a lost treasure, an explorer looking 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 beforehand, leave clues in the form of riddles and create an enigma that the children will have to solve to reach their goal.

6. Hiking with friends

A child always walks better when accompanied by a friend. Invite another family along, and the excitement of the shared experience will erase any notion of weariness. Imaginative games are played, and the kilometres go by before they know it.

As well as motivating them, this encourages them to share and help each other. They’ll learn to encourage each other and experience collective adventures that will strengthen their team spirit.

Why is this good?

Shared memories

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

A bowl of energy

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

Awakening curiosity

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

7. Give her a small rucksack

Involving your child by giving them a small mission 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 hiking mascot can travel in their bag!

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

Why not slip a little surprise into their bag? A compass, a whistle or even a chocolate to be discovered along the way will add a touch of excitement to the trip.

8. The right equipment For all conditions

A child who is cold or has uncomfortable shoes will quickly want to go home. Make sure you have the right clothes for the weather, a windproof jacket, a cap and good shoes. If it rains, 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: get them involved in choosing their equipment. A child who chooses their favourite jacket or hat will be more enthusiastic about wearing them.

BONUS Telling a story as you walk

There’s nothing like a captivating story to make you forget how tired you are. Invent a tale inspired by the landscape around you: “Is this forest home to a secret kingdom? Does this river lead to a treasure? Involve the children in the storytelling so that they become the actors in their own adventure.

You can also listen to podcasts suitable for young adventurers or get them to guess riddles along the way.

Ready for adventure?

With these tips, hiking with the family will become a precious moment, where every step rhymes with discovery and fun. The mountains of Chambéry Montagnes are waiting to create unforgettable memories. So, where are we off to this weekend?