Nifty Thrifty Mama: Kid Friendly Hiking On Skyline Drive

Father's Day Fun

This year for Father's Day, we decided to go hiking. Hiking with kids can be a challenge, but with some simple planning and snacks...lots of snacks, it can be a great learning experience and an inexpensive family building activity. Most importantly, you want to know where you are going, and be sure that the hike you are doing is kid friendly. Of course, this will depend on the ages and fitness levels of your children. We have a six year old, a four year old and a six month old. We have found that our kids can do about 1 mile before needing a break, and usually a total of 4 miles total. If you are hiking with a baby, you are going to need a hiking backpack. We were lucky enough to find one at Page One for a dollar. You will want to be sure that everyone dresses according to the weather/terrain. Also, double check that everyone has good hiking shoes. Blisters are not fun...flip flops are a definite no go. You will need to bring a backpack for supplies as well.

I suggest the following supplies for a a short-medium hike:

water

energizing snacks (granola bars, trail mix, fruit)

sunscreen/bug spray( you can pack this or apply before the hike)

diaper/wipes (just in case)

small first aid kit

camera

Some ideas to make hiking fun for kids:

bring a small plastic baggie for "treasures" (interesting rocks/leaves/moss)
bring a bird book or plant/flower book to identify things you find in nature
play a game to see who can find the most living creatures (deer, birds, bugs ect.)
after the hike, let your kids journal about what they did/saw using pictures and words

Most importantly, let your kids be kids. They are going to get dirty, muddy and wet. Fight the urge to control the situation. Exploration is such an important part of childhood. Trust me, a little dirt won't hurt. :)

Alright, lets hit the trail!

You can get a Shenandoah National Park Annual pass for $30.00. Trust me, it is worth every penny. At the park entrance they will give you a map. The first hike we decided to do was Little Stoney Man. This is a short 1 mile hike, perfect for beginners or small children and it is very rewarding with a beautiful view!

The next hike we did was Dark Hollow Falls. I highly...HIGHLY recommend this hike! Our kids love it, and it is breathtakingly beautiful! It is about 3 miles round trip. One warning: It is all downhill getting there, which means....you guessed it, all uphill coming back. So be prepared for a work out, but nothing you and the kids can't handle!

After our hike to Dark Hollow Falls and alot of water and snacks, we finished the day exploring at Big Meadows. It was a wonderful way to spend Father's day and build family memories. And as an added bonus, Amelia said her first word: "Daadddaa!".