Anyone else's kids hate hiking as much as mine?

Dec 111 min read

Okay this is driving me crazy. I took my kids (7, 9, 12) to what I thought was a "easy" trail at Mount Tamalpais last weekend. It was like 3 miles round trip, mostly flat. They complained literally the entire time. "Are we done yet?" "My legs hurt" "This is boring." We got some nice views but I felt like I was dragging them through it. All I wanted was a nice family outing in nature. What am I doing wrong here? Do I just need to accept that my kids prefer screens to trails, or is there a trick I'm missing?

12 comments456 views

Comments(12)

RReggie K.New DadDec 11

Have you tried the snack incentive? Like "we make it to the overlook and we have snacks" not "let's go hiking." Reframe it completely. My 7yo will do literally anything for trail mix.

CChris P.RegularDec 11

My 9yo somehow turned a "super easy" trail into a full negotiation situation too. I think kids just have this ability to complain about anything outdoorsy. Did you try bribery? That's usually my move.

TTyler K.RegularDec 12

The 7yo complaining is whatever but the 12yo? That one stings. They're old enough to actually appreciate it and just choose not to.

CCharlie A.New DadDec 11

Honest question—do they do ANY physical activity they actually enjoy? Like bike riding or playground stuff? Because if they hate all movement it's a different problem than just hiking aversion.

WWill R.RegularDec 12

3 miles should be easy for those ages but honestly it depends on the kid. My 9yo will walk all day if there's a creek to splash in, but my 7yo acts like we're summiting Everest on a flat path. What kind of complaints were we talking here?

PPaul T.RegularDec 12

3 miles is genuinely nothing and somehow that's the problem. I took mine to a 1.5 mile trail last month and got the same energy. Think they just hate being outside without screens.

GGene K.RegularDec 13

Mount Tam is beautiful though so at least YOU had a good time? That's what I tell myself when my kids tank the vibe.

RRaj P.RegularDec 12

Mount Tam is beautiful but yeah those "easy" trails still have elevation. The 7yo probably hit a wall midway. That age is brutal for hiking—too old to want to be carried, too tired to keep pace naturally.

HHank C.RegularDec 14

The treasure hunter thing actually works way better than bribing with snacks imo. My kids complained the whole first hike we tried that, but second time they were actually into it.

MMiles B.New DadDec 13

Have you tried making it a game? Like we tell ours they're treasure hunters looking for specific stuff (birds, weird rocks, streams). Takes their mind off the walking.

KKevin P.RegularDec 13

Okay but did your 12yo actually complain too or just the younger ones? Asking because my 11yo will hike if his friends are there but solo with just me he acts like I'm forcing him into solitary confinement.

FFritz N.RegularDec 13

I feel like "easy" on AllTrails and "easy for kids" are two different scales lol