Everything You Need to Know to Take Your Kids on the Best Nature Walk

No matter what the forecast says, always dress on the side of caution. Closed-toe shoes will protect your kids' cute toes from unexpected injuries, and layered clothes will prepare you for unpredictable weather. You can always remove layers, but being cold is guaranteed to make your child (and your walk) miserable.

A backpack is a necessity for walking with kids, even if it feels like overkill for a shorter walk. Being hands-free helps you stay in the moment. And you'll definitely need a place to hold any extra layers and the items in the upcoming slides.

Always make sure you have water with you. Hydration is important, especially if you're out on a warm day. If you really want to make sure you don't forget, upgrade your regular backpack to a hydration pack!

Take regular energy stops on your walk to share some homemade granola bars, or stock up on some healthy, kid-approved snacks. Two pieces of advice: leave anything chocolate at home if it's hot out (or else risk a melty mess!), and don't bring food that's hard to pack or eat outdoors. You want to teach your kids to leave no trace, but you also don't want the inside of your bag to be a yogurt-covered mess. Fruit, veggies, or string cheese are all great options.

Put together your very own first-aid kit with the following items: bandages, wet wipes, antihistamine chewable tablets (in case of an allergic reaction), an antihistamine stick (for itchy bug bites), a mini sunscreen, and bug spray. It's best to be prepared, just in case!

Kids love having independence. Ask your child if they want to bring a small bag themself, and suggest including in it items like a magnifying glass, binoculars, or a notebook and markers for drawing. It'll inspire them to get engaged with nature!

If you've ever taken a child anywhere, you know how important it is to have one big selling point: the destination. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, but emphasize one aspect of the walk to get them excited — maybe it's a tree swing near your house, a flowing creek, or an area with lots of birds. To keep them even more engaged, put together a list of items to spot on your walk, and then head out. Keep reading for ideas!

Embrace your time in nature by unplugging and just focusing on each other and what's around you. It's smart to bring a phone with you in case of an emergency, but switch it to silent, put it in your backpack, and only take it out to document your experience.

Knowing about your local environment can get your kids excited about being outdoors. On your walk, you can point out all the cool plant and animal life — big trees, fallen leaves, squirrels, sprouting flowers, birds, crazy mosses and fungi, and little seeds and nuts. It'll keep your kids excited to hunt down what's out there!

Depending on where you are, for parents, looking for wildlife might be a safety precaution. But for kids, it's one of the best parts of being outdoors. Together, you can point out birds, butterflies, or insects you see, and look for evidence of what may have been there: burrowing holes from gophers, voles, or chipmunks; bird holes in rocks and tree trunks; tracks in the mud from raccoons; and small nests.

Lead by example by carefully picking up things around you like pine needles and fallen leaves. Finding walking sticks to use on the trek and pretty rocks (tell them they can take home their favorite) are always easy ways to keep kids engaged.

Playing games like follow the leader and I spy or creating little scavenger hunts along the way ("Let's look for ___!") doesn't just keep things fun, it's also good practice for taking turns and listening to one another.

Again, depending on where you are, this could be a good safety measure. But it also provides an endless amount of entertainment. You can skip rocks in stagnant water like a pond or lake, or race sticks in running water like a river or stream.

Nature walks are anything but boring. Plan ahead of time to make your walk a loop, or get creative on the way back and make stops in places slightly off your original path.

Whether you're taking a quick stroll or a full-on hike, going on a nature walk with kids takes longer than you might expect. Plan for lots of stops for water, snacks, and mini adventures along the way. You can't rush your way through the journey if you want your kids to truly connect with nature (and with you).

Going on walks with kids is a totally new experience every time, even if the path is the same. Try a couple of different trails, and then circle back to the old ones to create a repertoire. Be sure to point out that it's a walk you've already done by giving it a name or reminding them of a fun memory. This way, your kids can be a part of choosing your adventures with you.