Take a Hike (with the Kids)

Did you know San José has one of the nation's largest urban trail networks, with 65 miles developed and open for public use? Summer is quickly approaching, and warmer weather is within our reach. Why not plan some outdoor adventures for the whole family to take advantage of the longer days ahead? 

Why Go Outside?

Kids are naturally drawn to the outdoors. They can use every single part of their bodies when playing outside. With rocks to climb, dirt and sand to explore, and new friends to be made along the way, outdoor play can be one of the best nature-made classrooms for children, helping them develop a variety of skills that they can use throughout their lives. Children can explore the environment around them, build their muscle strength and hand-eye coordination, and gain confidence as they test their limits and boundaries in unstructured play outdoors.  

When playing outdoors, children are introduced to different concepts in math and science that can only be found in nature. Whether they are learning how to read a trail map, figuring out the distance in miles, or learning about the texture of the dirt and rocks that make up the trail, children learn best through doing. Being outdoors is a place full of sensory experiences that will help strengthen a child's connection to their world.  

Things to Remember

Remember these tips when exploring the outdoors with your child to help ease the transition from indoor to outdoor fun.  

• Be flexible and have fun: Hiking with kids is more about the journey than the destination. You may not even leave the parking lot on your first try, but give your child a chance to stop and smell the flowers, pick up rocks and sticks, or just watch squirrels run around to really make the experience memorable for them.   
• Review Safety & Hiking Rules: Before starting your hike, talk to your child about staying safe on the trails. Remind them of what plants to avoid (like poison oak), to leave plants and rocks where they are for others to enjoy, and not to stray away from the trail.  
• Snacks and Drinks: Pack plenty of snacks and fluids for rest stops. Although children have boundless energy, they'll need to refuel more frequently outdoors. Keep a zippered bag handy to keep trash secure.  
• Start Small then Add On: Introduce your child to hiking through short trails (1 mile or so) in familiar settings. Later, add on little by little (either distance or time spent walking) as they get used to the pace of a hike.  
• Play Games & Have Fun: The best way to encourage a child to love an activity is to make it fun! Count the number of birds you see flying overhead, and play a game of I Spy as you walk down the trail. Turn the uphill climb into an adventure with a dragon to battle and scare away.  

Early Literacy in Everyday Places: The Park

Not all nature play is on a hiking trail. You can incorporate elements of nature into your everyday routines:  

• See: Talk about the trees, plants, animals, and insects you see at the park. Walk down a path with your eyes closed, then again with them open. How is it different?
• Hear: Close your eyes and listen to the sound around you. What do you hear? Who or what is making noise? The other children, cars, birds, etc. Try to mimic the sounds that you hear around you.
• Touch: What is the difference between sand and tanbark? Make marks in the sand using a stick or twig. Make piles out of the tanbark.
• Smell: Smell the trees, flowers, and grass. What memories do the smells bring up for you?

Library Resources for Your Next Adventure

You can check out a Park Pass or Outdoor Exploration Pack from any SJPL location with your library card. You can request the item in person (first come, first served) or place a hold via our catalog (to ensure that the item will be ready for you when you pick it up). Each has a three-week checkout period with no renewal. Happy Trails! Learn more about the Park Pass on our website.     

Learn more about Bay Area Trails and choose the best one for you here and through the City of San José Trail Network Resource Center.   

Books to Share

Before you start exploring, prepare your child about what awaits with a few books about nature, hiking and the fun of being outdoors.