Family Hiking Guide - Tips and tools for getting your family outside

Family Hiking and Getting Outside

Getting outside as a family is really important. Not only are there the obvious health benefits, but it’s also a chance to bond as a family as well as teach your children and broaden their horizons.

It doesn’t matter if it is a stroll down to the local park or you have sights on bagging summits, hiking and getting outside can be as gentle or strenuous as you want.

We’ve pulled together a number of tips for hiking with kids, from enthusing them to get outside, to choosing the right gear to avoid people getting cold, wet, and miserable.

Hiking with Kids

Not sure where to start? Think your kids too young? Read this introduction guide to hiking with kids.

To help keep your family outside, have a read of these hiking tips, such as these 18 Tips for a Woodland Walk.

Top Tips for Getting the Family Outside

How to get your family outside without everyone getting cold.

The Secret of Base Layers in keeping your kids warm

Here’s a secret weapon in motivating kids on walks

Outside for Health & Fitness

How to make sure your kids get the most Vitamin D: Diet + Getting Outside
Vitamin D is essential for our kids' growth. Dr. Mitravinda Savanur tells us how with the balance of the right diet and getting outside.
A lot on your mind? Go for a walk, and talk
Get outside. Go for a walk. And Talk.
How to run yourself fit after having a baby
Just because you've had a baby doesn't mean you have to stop running and become unfit. Wendy gives us some top tips for running with your baby to help get yourself back in shape.

Maps & Navigation

Map Symbol Bingo (free download)
Map Symbol Bingo is a great way to teach your kids map symbols. Download our free game here. There are three levels of difficulty, so not just for kids!
Ordnance Survey getamap Review
Need lots of OS maps cheaply? Want to mark routes on your maps? Want to give your kids a map but don't want it lost/wet/ruined? OS getamap is the solution.
How to Teach Your Kids Map Reading Skills
Map skills are an essential outdoor skill. Here's a successful method for teaching your kids map reading skills.

Geocaching

Geocaching Premium App – Is it worth the money?
The Geocaching Premium App is not a cheap app. So is it worth spending the money? We have a look and compare it with some free alternatives.
Offa’s Dyke National Trail (& Geocoin)
Offas Dyke is an ancient 'wall' that runs between England and Wales. with a National Trail that runs along it. We've hidden a special geocoin there.
c:geo – Andriod GeoCaching App you can use offline
c:geo is a free GeoCaching app that lets you download caches to your phone and use it without needing a network connection or maxing out your download limit.

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Hiking Gear Reviews

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” – Sir Ranulph Fiennes

What clothes you’ll need for your own Discovery Adventures
Fancy doing your own family adventure - a mini version of what you might watch on the Discovery Channel? Now there's a range of Discovery Adventures clothes for outdoor families. We test them out.
Craghoppers Lena Women’s Hooded Jacket Review
The Craghoppers Lena is now my new favourite jacket. Great to throw on when getting out with the kids!
Kozi Kidz Torr Rain Jacket & Trousers Review
We test out the Kozi Kidz Torr Rain Jacket and Trousers. A great option for school, the park, or those family adventures.
Didriksons Wet Weather Gear for Kids
We check out some excellent outdoor kids clothes from Didriksons.
Adult’s Long Compresslite Jacket
We were so impressed when we reviewed the kid's Craghoppers Compresslite Jacket that we went and bought the Long Compresslite Jacket too.
Kozi Kidz Stockholm Jacket – An Excellent Kid’s Winter Coat
The Kozi Kidz Stockholm jacket will keep your kids warm through the winter, whether it's going to school or going on a hike. No need to stay indoors!
Berghaus Men’s Stormcloud Packable Jacket Review
I've been using the Berghaus Stormcloud for a while now, and it's proved to be a great bit of kit. A great packable, waterproof, and breathable jacket.

Salomon X Ultra Walking Shoes
Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, comfortable, and a great grip. Another great walking shoe for Salomon
Waterproof family walking boots? Boots that grow with your child?
We test HiTec's family walking boots. They all claim to be waterproof. We just had to test that out! The child boots are meant to grow with their feet too.
Kids Hale Boots Tested
We test out the insulated Kids Hale Boots with a good splash in a cold stream.
Keen Kid’s Winter Hiking Boots Review
A great pair of children's walking boots that will keep your kid's feet warm and dry, and steady under foot. Read our review of the Keen Basin WP boots.
Decent Winter Walking Boots for Kids – TNF Kids Walking Boots Reviewed
Tired of kids with cold wet feet during winter walks? Want something with grip and support? These kids walking boots may be just what you are looking for.
Family Summer Walking Shoes
Hot feet when walking in the summer isn't nice. We've been putting the Salomon XA kids and adult shoes through the test, as well as the Merrell Moab shoes.
Bogs: A new sort of boot for kids (and warm too)
We've got through a lot of kids boots as a family. Here's a new design to the old welly boot that keeps your kid's feet warm and dry.

Latest Posts in Hiking & Getting Outdoors

Below are the most recent articles published on hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Hiking & Outdoors

Family Hiking and Getting Outside

Hiking with Kids

Top Tips for Getting the Family Outside

Exploring Nature when Hiking

Outside for Health & Fitness

Maps & Navigation

Geocaching

Hiking Gear Reviews

Coats & Warm Clothing

Walking Shoes & Hiking Boots

Child Carriers

Gaiters

Latest Posts in Hiking & Getting Outdoors

Don’t like taking the kids out when it’s cold? Try the 8k Flexwarm heated jacket!

How to make sure your kids get the most Vitamin D: Diet + Getting Outside

Enjoy the countryside but take care of the animals as well as your family

A lot on your mind? Go for a walk, and talk

How to run yourself fit after having a baby

WARNING: This map may cause an uncontrollable urge to get outside!

Review: Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer

Merrell Siren Sport Q2 Ladies Hiking Shoes

Salomon X Ultra Walking Shoes

Lowa San Luis GTX Walking Shoes

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