When I was a kid, I used to disappear into the woods or go on bike rides for hours on end. I’d come home late, covered in mud and make up ridiculous excuses to try to avoid getting grounded.
I was probably the last generation to finish primary school without the internet. That makes me feel old. But it also makes me feel grateful because I think that as childhoods have become more digitised, something has been lost. Real adventures.
Why do you think so many of us are now ‘finding’ the mountains as adults? We’re reconnecting with our inner childhood explorer.
Adventure is an essential part of childhood learning. It builds confidence, resilience and decision-making skills. It helps children learn the skills to manage risk as they grow into adulthood. It gives a sense of achievement and pride.
And apart from all this good stuff, it’s healthy to drag them away from their screens for a few hours and get them doing some exercise.
One thing I’ve noticed about my days on the hill with my daughter, Aili (above), is that walking encourages talking, and I love that we have some uninterrupted time to engage and listen to each other. It’s incredibly valuable and builds trust, making our relationship stronger.
Time spent in the hills should be fun! That’s it. That’s the number one rule. If it’s not fun, then why would they want to do it ever again? Just because us adults might be old and boring, it doesn’t mean that they have to be.
Play games with them, sing with them, tell jokes or tell stories. Channel your inner child. We like to find rocks that look like things and play the game ‘Would you rather?’ Watching clouds might be the oldest game in history, but it still has plenty of value.
Or sometimes it’s good to simply sit down and chill out, away from the world and the screens and the noise and all the other things that impact our lives.
Read on to find some tips we’ve put together to help make time out with your little ones enjoyable and safe for them…
Let kids set their own boundaries
If your child has had enough, respect it. If they’re scared, acknowledge it. It’s important to encourage them to achieve something that maybe they don’t think they can, but it’s also important to encourage them to set boundaries in life and expect that they will be respected.
Give them a sense of ownership
Get your kids to carry a small bag and let them pack a few bits they think might be important. Maybe they want to share the day with their favourite toy or a picture of a grandparent.
It might not seem important to us, but it could be for them. Let them choose their favourite snack for the group and carry it. Let them take some photos. Make their contribution feel valued.
Teach them about the environment
Encourage your children to love the landscape. Help them be conscious of litter and maybe even get them to pick a bit up asthey walk. Get them to take all their food out of the wrappers at home and keep it in a snack box mixed together. Help them learn about ‘leave no trace’.
Choose a route that is achievable
Then give your children time and space to complete it. Their legs are smaller than ours, so don’t underestimate how much longer the day will take and how much harder it will be for them than us. Every step is higher for them, every rock is bigger to them.
Don’t rush. Let them enjoy the day and have lots of stops. Let them look at things and listen to the world around them. What might feel like an insignificant hill to us could feel like the world’s highest mountain to them.
Here are some ideas for 10 great 'mini mountains' to climb with kids.
Be mindful of the weather
Children don’t always have the same mental resilience as grown-ups. What might just feel a bit damp and breezy for us might well feel like a tropical storm for them.
If they’ve never experienced bad weather, then being halfway up a mountain in something that feels like the end of days can be pretty scary! Check MWIS for the best weather in the general area and check out a more localised forecast on Met Office.
Remember, their kit might not be as good as yours
It can be hard to get good outdoor clothing for smaller children because it’s not cost-effective to make. While we might feel comfy, warm, and dry in our top-of-the-range outdoor gear, it’s always worth remembering that they might not.
Their shoes might not fit very well and their shell might not be as waterproof as ours. If they’re having a nightmare and the weather is pants, be sympathetic.
Carry an extra layer or two for them and maybe a pair of socks, just in case. Trollkids, Berghaus and Jack Wolfskin make some really good children’s outdoor kit, and you can often find some great deals online.
There’s nothing worse than seeing a terrified or totally fed-up child being dragged to the top of a mountain because the parent wants to do it. It’s their achievement, not ours, and sometimes, just getting halfway is enough.
Here's out in-depth guide on how to pack for a mountain hike with kids.
Hiking advice from a Mountain Leader's daughter:
The thing I love the most about being in the hills with my dad is: "The weird conversations that we have when we're walking, because they are all just out of nowhere. One second you will be talking about what you had for breakfast and then the next you will be talking about how scary E.T. is!"
The thing I hate the most is: "The feeling in your legs when you’re walking back down – it only feels better when you’re running or when you’re sitting down."
My advice for other children is: "If you don’t feel like doing it then just get your parent to get you something as a treat after walking up the mountain."
My favourite mountain is: "Either Tryfan or Moel Siabod, because they are very big days but they’re also very fun days if the weather is good and I like scrambling."
My best memory is: "Playing hide and seek on Moel Tryfan, which is near our house, for like an hour and a half because it’s really fun every time, even if it’s raining."
5 of our favourite kid-friendly hills
I’ve been very lucky to share some amazing adventures with Aili. Here are some of my best recommendations for mini mountain days for kids (disclaimer – they’re mostly in north Wales because that’s where we love the most!).
1. Moel Tryfan & Mynydd Mawr, Snowdonia
Moel Tryfan sits just on the outskirts of Caernarfon. It is a friendly little peak in the heath of Uwchgwyrfai Common and is notable for its rocky outcrop of a summit, which lends itself to a cheeky game of hide and seek!
You can wander around the top of the working quarry and even walk through it, but do be careful. Charles Darwin once visited here, and it has a very important part in the history of evolution. If your little adventurers are keen, you can explore all the way up to the summit of Mynydd Mawr.
The route is a reasonably simple up and down, though it is very steep and passes over some impressive cliffs! Parking near Canolfan y Fron means you can get some amazing food afterwards, or even stay over for an extended adventure.
2. Yr Eifl, Llyn Peninsula
The prong-shaped peak that rises from the sea on the Llyn Peninsula is fun and easily accessible for everyone, regardless of experience. There are lots of little tracks dotted around the mini mountain, and best of all, there is an ancient hill-fort that you can explore called Tre’r Ceiri – The Town of the Giants!
People lived here more than 2000 years ago, and you can still see the remains of the houses. You can walk through the original doorways of the giant defensive walls into the fort. You can be up and down in a few hours and still have time for ice cream afterwards.
The weather is often better than inland, and the views from the top are amazing – sometimes you can even see Ireland! The big people will enjoy the adventure as much as the little ones. A top family walk.
3. Moel Siabod, Snowdonia
Situated above the village of Capel Curig in Eryri, Moel Siabod is nearly 900m high and is a bigger day than Yr Eifl, and with more mountainous terrain and weather.
You can enjoy a straightforward ascent via the Llynnau Mymbyr path on its north-western flank, which starts off by crossing the footbridge at the lake then heading up through the woods and then a good path all the way up to the summit area.
Scrambling the Daear Ddu ridge, which is a low-end Grade 1 scramble and achievable by most confident and enthusiastic walkers, is a good option for parents with a bit more outdoor experience. This takes you up the eastern side of the mountain.
Navigation on this side and the summit area can be tricky in poor visibility, so whichever way you go, you need to be prepared for a proper day out.
4. Stac Pollaidh, Assynt
If you ever find yourself on a road trip around the north-west Highlands of Scotland with the young ones, then an adventurous half-day tour around Stac Pollaidh is a memorable outing.
It is easily accessible, though very busy, and has a good path for much of the walk. It is only about 5km long, with a reasonable amount of ascent, though you can get up high for some amazing views without doing any of the scrambling that the peak is famous for. Just beware the summer midges!
I’d recommend getting an early start to get this one done, as parking can be a bit of a nightmare. There is a small car park and it can fill up early. The mountain sits on the shore of Loch Lurgainn, which might be good for a cheeky paddle afterwards.
5. Langdale Pikes, Lake District
There are more obvious child-friendly hills in the Lake District (Cat Bells, Helm Crag, etc.), but Stickle Tarn and the Langdale Pikes are also easily reached via a stunning ascent alongside Stickle Ghyll. Waterfalls, cliffs, and rocky summits offer the perfect playground.
About the author
Jamie Rooke is a qualified Mountain Leader with a passion for helping people explore Britain's hills and mountains. He's been writing articles and route guides for Trail magazine and LFTO for years and is also one of our go-to experts for navigation tips and advice.