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| On the trail Image contributed by Lavon Court |
There are so many great ways to engage kids on the trails when you hike as a family. From examining natural objects up close (a little view) to encouraging kids to get a "big" view while they are on trails, hiking is a great way to link kids more closely to our natural world and its complex web of life.
It can also introduce a lifelong ethic of caring for and conserving our resources and beautiful natural places. Following a "leave no trace" hiking style (pack out what you pack in) also emphasizes how we can preserve our environment for genertions to come.
This post is a companion piece to an article I wrote for the summer 2026 issue of Driftless Inspire(d) Magazine on Kid -Friendly Summer Hiking. Here is a list of a few online resources to help you and your familiy enjoy your time in nature even more.
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| Image - Sara Holger, Project Get Outdoors |
Nature Activities
These resources are a practical beginning for fun activities - and list additional resources to rabbit hole down and learn even more.
- A Parent’s Guide to Nature Play - brief tips on getting kids engaged outdoors - and why its important
- GO Outdoors Cards, Jeffers Foundation - seasonal ideas for engaging kids
- ABCs for the Outdoors Pinterest page - great ideas for nature activities - like all Pinterest pages, so many ideas, so little time.
- Aldo Leopold Center Engaging with Nature Ideas - nature engagement and craft ideas
- MN DNR Project Learning Tree Family Learning Activities - clear ideas and ways to implement nature engagement with kids
- Project Get Outdoors Activity Calendar - includes suggested activities and books for every day of the year
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| Common eastern butterfly on goldenrod |
Nature Identification apps
There are many apps to use. Most are AI-powered/enhanced. They will point you in the right direction but you may need to check with a second source for a firm ID - including identification books like Marrone's Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest. These are just a few of my phone app go-to's.There are many others to choose from as well.
It's fun to pass on our love of the outdoors to kids. With some of these resources, we can increase our knowledge and that of the kids we hike with.
- Merlin Bird ID - developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this app helps you locate and identify birds by their song.
- Seek - iNaturalist folks are behind this all-purpose plant, animal and insect life identifier
- Picture This Plant ID - Fast and fairly accurate for plants, trees, shrubs and other greenery
- Bee Machine - a bit pokey but tends to be accurate. I check against Wisconsin's Bumblebee Brigrade field guides
- PictureMushroom- I use this to get a first identification but rely heavily on Marrone's book, Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest for a precise confirmation. Do not eat anything you cannot identify precisely.
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| Looking out from a bluff to the Mississippi River |
It's fun to pass on our love of the outdoors to kids. With some of these resources, we can increase our knowledge and that of the kids we hike with.
Check out this list of family friendly hikes to find a destination that you and the kids will enjoy!
See you on the trails!
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
