My son just got old enough where he actually wants to hike instead of getting carried the whole time. We did about a mile loop last Sunday and he made it the whole way but was pretty tired. I want to do more family hikes this summer but don't want to burn him out. What's reasonable distance for a 3 year old? Should I invest in those kid backpacks or is that overkill?
Bring way more snacks than you think you need. A 3 year old's energy level is weird - they can hike for 45 minutes then hit a wall hard. We also pack a small toy for breaks. Makes a huge difference.
That's awesome he's hiking on his own now! We're still in the carry phase with our twins but I'm already dreading the day they want to actually walk the whole thing.
A mile is solid for a 3 year old! My twins are only 4 and getting them to stay interested in anything outdoors is a battle. What'd you do to keep him motivated?
That's awesome! Three is prime hiking age if you keep it chill. Start with easier trails and take your time. My son gets more excited about finding sticks and rocks than actually summiting anything.
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Oh man, that age where they actually want to walk instead of being carried is game changer. We did short loops at first - like 20-30 minutes - so my son didn't get overwhelmed. Snacks help too. Lots of snacks.