Hiking with Young Kids: Our Top 5 Tips for a Successful Family Outing

Want to introduce your children to hiking but not sure where to start? The good news is that you don’t need to plan a long trek to help them fall in love with the trails. With a route that suits their age, a few well-timed breaks and a healthy dose of curiosity, a simple walk can become a memorable adventure. The secret? Let them set the pace and give them time to explore along the way. Here are our tips for a successful first hiking experience, enjoyed by little adventurers and grown-ups alike.

1. Get Them Involved From the Start

The excitement doesn’t have to wait until you’re standing at the trailhead. In fact, the adventure begins the moment you start preparing. Kids love to feel included, so give them small choices that make them feel like part of the team. Maybe they get to pick their own backpack, choose which water bottle to bring, or help pack their favorite snack. Even these little decisions help them feel ownership of the experience.

Showing them the map before you go is another great way to spark curiosity. Point out where you’ll be walking, highlight any bridges, streams, or lookouts you might pass, and talk about what you hope to see. Framing the outing as a “nature mission” makes it even more fun — whether the mission is to spot animal tracks, listen for birds, or count how many bridges you cross.

Tremblant tip: Download the Les Ruisseaux trail coloring map to get them excited from home.

2. Pick the Right Trail for Their Age

Matching the hike to your child’s abilities is the surest way to make the outing a success. Very young children, from newborns up to about two years old, will be most comfortable in a baby carrier or an all-terrain stroller. They’ll still soak in the fresh air, the sounds of the forest, and the sight of swaying trees, all while being snuggled close.

As toddlers grow, short and gentle stretches on foot give them a sense of independence. A backup carrier is useful, since little legs can tire quickly, and alternating between walking and riding helps keep things fun instead of overwhelming. By around age five, most kids are ready for easy trails of one to two hours — as long as you allow plenty of time for rest stops, games, and snack breaks.

Suggested trails at Tremblant:

Les Ruisseaux — Its flat, shaded path winds over small bridges and alongside playful streams, making it feel like an enchanted forest walk.

360 Trail — For a touch of adventure, a gondola ride to the summit opens the way to the 360 Trail, a 2.5 km loop with panoramic lookouts that give kids a big sense of achievement.

See all trails
3. Make the Hike Playful

Try breaking the hike into mini challenges, like “let’s walk until we reach that twisted tree” or “can you find a rock shaped like an animal?” Each small milestone can be rewarded with something simple — a few dried fruit pieces, a sticker, or a riddle to solve before moving on. Nature offers endless opportunities for playful discoveries: the sound of a bird calling, the feel of moss on a tree trunk, the sparkle of sunlight on water.

And then there’s the big motivator: the summit snack. Let your kids know ahead of time that there’s a special treat waiting for them at the top or at a halfway point. Pair it with a “victory photo” moment, and suddenly the outing transforms into an achievement they’ll be eager to repeat.

Try nature challenges like:

Spot a funny-shaped rock

Hear a bird you can’t see

Touch three different natural textures

4. Choose the Right Time… and a Great Follow-up!

Timing can be everything when hiking with kids. Mornings are usually the sweet spot, when little ones are well-rested, fueled up from breakfast, and full of energy. The sun is also softer and the air cooler, which makes for a more comfortable outing.

But the fun doesn’t have to end when the trail does. Planning a post-hike activity helps keep the good vibes rolling and ensures the day feels like a full family adventure. At Tremblant, families often head straight for the splash pad at the base of the slopes, where kids can cool off and play. The playground nearby is another favorite stop, and of course, an ice cream cone on Place Saint-Bernard is a classic way to celebrate. On warm days, a lakeside picnic or dip in Lake Tremblant turns the outing into a mini vacation. These follow-up moments become part of the ritual — the reward that makes the idea of hiking even more appealing next time.

Tremblant post-hike favorites:

Splash pad or playground at the base of the slopes

Ice cream on Place Saint-Bernard

Family-friendly water activities

5. Smart Prep = More Fun

Even though Tremblant’s trails are safe, well-marked, and supported by services like restrooms, fountains, and shops at both the base and summit, being prepared helps avoid the classic mid-hike meltdowns of “I’m hungry!” or “I’m cold!” A small, thoughtfully packed day bag can make all the difference.

Bring weather-appropriate layers — the summit often feels cooler than the village — along with a variety of snacks and plenty of water. A simple first aid kit is useful for scraped knees or unexpected blisters, and a hat and sunscreen help protect from the sun. If you can, invite a friend or cousin to join the adventure. Kids feed off each other’s enthusiasm, and what might feel like “just a walk” with adults becomes a full-on adventure when shared with a buddy.

The essentials:

Weather-appropriate layers

A small first aid kit

Plenty of snacks and water

In short, an ideal kid-friendly day at Tremblant looks like:

A snack break at the summit with a proud victory photo

Back down for a family picnic

An afternoon at the beach, splash pad or playground

An ice cream or lemonade to top it all off

When all the elements come together, a family hike at Tremblant can feel like a perfect day. These simple, layered experiences weave together into the kind of memories kids carry with them for years. More importantly, they plant the seeds of a lifelong connection to the outdoors. A first hike isn’t just about the trail you walked — it’s about the joy of discovery, the laughter along the way, and the feeling of having done something special together.