Hiking with Kids in Austria
Hiking Trails for Families
Fancy an outdoorsy family day? Hiking is a great way to get your little ones connected to nature at a young age while bonding as a family over fun and memorable experiences. Add all the beautiful landscapes you will discover and the bonus of exercising in fresh air and you might even consider it as a mission to turn your offspring into dedicated hikers and backpackers for many years to come.
However, hiking with kids in tow is slightly different from heading out solo or together with fellow adults. Firstly, keep in mind you will have to slow your pace. Secondly, kids prefer to explore the trail rather than just walk from point A to point B. And thirdly, you might need to come up with some games along the way to keep them motivated.
To make things easier, many Austrian regions offer designated family trails these days, with interactive stations, playgrounds, picknick spots and a lot more.
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Are little legs feeling heavy and motivation running low? With these tips, kids will quickly forget they didn’t want to take another step!
Sing hiking songs and hold competitions: How many steps until the next bend? Who can find a word that rhymes with ‘squirrel’?
Add in balance exercises along the way: Balancing on logs, hopping, or weaving through a slalom.
Climbing on boulders and wood piles.
Skimming stones by a stream.
A picnic at the next bench.
Make sure that the backpack matches your kid's size and is not heavier than 10% of his or her body weight.
Rain protection
Reusable bottle, filled with water or tea
Small sandwiches or muesli bars
Sun cap or hat
Fleece vest
Extra t-shirt and socks
Sun protection
Hiking with a Stroller
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FAQ
Hiking is a wonderful way to teach children about protecting nature through play, helping them understand its value.
Nature as an Adventure: Show them that nature is an adventure playground we must care for, discovering plants, animals, and woodland paths along the way.
Environmental Lessons: Discuss the importance of avoiding litter and respecting nature while hiking.
Conserving Resources: Teach them to save water, sort waste, and make conscious choices.
Personal Responsibility: Collect litter together and explain their role in protecting the environment.
Fun and Creativity: Create nature art, keep environmental journals - making learning about nature fun and memorable.