Contrary to many adult’s views that kids are only interested in video games, one thing we know is that given the chance, kids the love the outdoors! In fact, kids are spending time outdoors – just not doing nature-oriented activities. Young children spend more time outdoors than older adolescents. So, it’s the responsibility of the adult to cultivate the love for nature-related outdoor activities, not the kid.
One of the keys is to start young and go easy. Your young hiker is probably not all hyped up about peak bagging. On this kid ready hike list we’ll do just that, give you some hikes that are interesting, not too hard, and have a good return on investment. Don’t expect solitude on these hikes, but that’s okay because we’ve come to find over the years that young kids enjoy seeing and meeting people on the trail!
Kaaterskill Falls (1 & 2)
What makes them even better is that you have two trailheads to pick from. One goes to the bottom of the falls (“harder”) and the other to the top (very, very, easy). Also, there are porta-potties at the top trailhead, something always good traveling with kids.
Read about the Kaaterskill Falls lower trail and Kaaterskill Falls upper trail.
Red Hill Fire Tower (3)
The out and back is just under 3-miles with a short but stiff climb. Near the tower is a great place to spend some time to have a picnic. One afternoon we climbed this with a group of Boy Scouts with a large birthday cake to celebrate a year of scouts birthdays. Bring a frisbee to play in the large grassy meadow.
Vroman’s Nose (4)
You can read about the hike here.
Happy hiking!