Hiking with children in nature is much more than getting out of the house or a way to pass the time. It is a space where children can move freely, discover the world at their own pace, and be who they are – without screens, without noise, and without external expectations.
In nature, children do not need to “succeed” or “meet the task.”
They are just there.
For many of them, this is the only time the body
Emotion and curiosity work together in a natural and healthy way.
Hiking with children in nature allows for an experience that nourishes not only the body, but also the soul and family bond.
Hiking with children in nature and what children really get from the experience
Trips with children in nature give children true freedom. Freedom to move, ask, touch, and choose.
In contrast to everyday settings
Here there is no score, no competition, and no comparison.
A child can stop at a stone.
To linger near an ant, or just walk quietly.
This freedom allows children to express natural curiosity and strengthen a sense of inner competence.
Furthermore, trips with children in nature develop a sensory connection to the world: the smell of the earth, the touch of the leaves, the sounds of the wind. These are simple experiences, but very significant for healthy development.
Trips with children in nature and their impact on emotional regulation and relaxation
One of the most notable benefits of hiking with children in nature is the direct effect on the nervous system. The movement, open space, and lack of artificial stimuli create a natural decrease in emotional stress.
Children who are under stress
Restlessness or emotional flooding
Relax without having to “deal” with it.
Hiking with children in nature allows for a healthy release of energy, emotional regulation, and improved mood. Sometimes you can see a change while walking: breathing calms down, the body relaxes, and communication becomes softer.
Why does it work to go out without a planned activity for a variety of trips with children in nature?
Many parents think that they need to plan an activity, game, or content in the context of trips with children in nature.
In practice, the opposite happens.
Nature itself is the activity.
A path, a tree, a stone, or a stream are enough to spark imagination and interest.
Still, if you want, you can find it here. Ideas for activities for children on trips I wrote.
When adults stop trying to control, children start to lead. This creates a more authentic, calmer experience, and one that allows the child to be proactive rather than being led.
Trips with children in nature actually work in a simple way.
Hiking with children in nature as a space for real quality time
Quality time is not created by the quantity of activities, but by the quality of presence. Trips with children in nature slow down the pace and allow for a real encounter between parent and child.
Not through forced conversation
But through walking together, silence, and laughter that arises of its own accord.
When the pace slows down and the screens stay at home, a connection is created.
Trips with children in nature allow the parent to be truly present, and the child to feel that they are being seen without interruptions and without pressure.
Who are nature trips with children especially suitable for and how do you get started?
Trips with children in nature, in my opinion, are suitable for almost every child. Especially for children who need space, movement, and calm.
There is no need to start far or long.
A short route, close to home, is enough.
And at a leisurely pace.
The recommendation is to start small, without high expectations, and let nature take its course.
Over time, trips with children in nature can become a habit that accompanies the family for years, and it's just real magic!
