Day 2 - Hiking "A" Mountain

Usually, hiking isn't a pastime we Arizonan's get to enjoy to much in the summertime, but lucky for us, we've had some unseasonably cool weekends. To make the most of the nice weather today, we decided to try hiking "A" Mountain in Tempe, Arizona. You can read my full review of the hike here.

Tips for Hiking with Kids

• Bring snacks and water: My kids will hike farther and complain less if they aren't hungry or
  thristy
• Have designated stopping points: Find a point in the distance and say, "That is where we will
  
  take our next break." That way it doesn't feel like endless walking. The kids know they can at least make it to that next point.
• Get a good baby carrier: I love my Ergo for our almost one-year-old. She almost always falls asleep as soon as we put her in. We've also borrowed a Kelty pack for a longer hike that was comfortable for both Daddy and Baby.
• Choose hikes over trails: I don't know if this is true for all kids, but mine move a lot better when they are climbing or navigating over rocks verses walking a flat trail. 
• Research hikes to make sure they are kid-friendly: My favorite list of family-friendly hikes for the Phoenix area can be found here.
• Look for nearby Geocaches: Searching for a geocache or letterbox quickly turns a hike into a treasure hunt.

What tips would you add? Share your thoughts in the comments.