Anyone else's kids refuse to hike anymore?

Dec 91 min read

My 11yo used to love hiking. We'd go to Bear Mountain or do the trails near us in Vermont all the time. Now he just complains the entire time. "My legs hurt," "when are we done," "this is boring."

Don't think it's a fitness thing—kid's in soccer. Pretty sure it's just the phone thing. He'd rather stay home and play Fortnite. Thinking about bribing him with new gear or something but that feels like I'm teaching him the wrong lesson? Not sure what to do here.

10 comments140 views

Comments(10)

FFrank T.RegularDec 10

Bear Mountain trails are legit though, shame he's checked out. Does he have friends who still hike? Sometimes peer group matters at that age.

KKenny W.RegularDec 10

Hard truth: he might just be growing out of it. My oldest did the same and now at 14 he's back into it on his own terms. Doesn't mean force family hikes - maybe ease off and let him rediscover it.

WWill R.RegularDec 11

11 is the weird age where they're realizing hiking is actually just cardio and they're too cool for it. Have you tried asking him what he WOULD want to do instead? Sometimes they just need to feel like they picked the activity.

GGabe R.RegularDec 11

The "my legs hurt" thing is real though - growing pains are actually a thing at 11. We added electrolyte drinks and snacks to our hikes and it helped way more than I expected.

CChris P.RegularDec 12

This happened with my 10yo last summer and it drove me nuts. Turns out he just wanted to bike instead. We compromised - do shorter hikes now, bike on other weekends. He's back into being outside at least.

MMax R.RegularDec 11

Yeah this is the tough age where they want to be independent but still need the structure. My solution was letting him pick the trail and the pace. Took longer, fewer complaints.

NNeil C.New DadDec 11

Have you asked him what he actually wants to do instead? My 10yo hated hiking until we made it about finding specific things (we did a scavenger hunt type thing) and suddenly it was interesting to him

CCarl W.RegularDec 11

the 'my legs hurt' complaints - is he actually getting enough movement during the week? I found my kid was just genuinely out of shape and complaining masked that. Started doing family walks during the week and weekend hikes got better

PPaul M.RegularDec 12

11 is the sweet spot where they think they're too cool for family stuff but they're still stuck doing it with you lol. Mine did the same thing around that age. Honestly we just stopped the big hiking trips and replaced it with shorter walks where he could bring a friend sometimes.

GGary R.RegularDec 10

Vermont trails hit different when you're a little older and realize how much you have to climb lmao. Maybe Bear Mountain is just too much of a grind for him now?