Hiking with kids, especially one’s own, requires healthy doses of preparation and patience—and even more snacks. And while heading out for family hikes is not at all like the long treks I used to take in my single years, it still conjures an atmosphere of adventure and exploration.
This comes after the effort of just getting out of the house, fraught with the usual delays and inane things parents say to kids, like: No, the cats can’t come and Are you sure you went to the bathroom? and What happened to your shoes?! But once on the road (snacks and waters duly packed) it feels as if we’ve already won just by embarking, and any exercise we parents get in the bargain is icing on the cake.
These 5 kid-friendly hikes on O‘ahu are fun destinations for planned trips as well as impromptu outings (read: we have to get these kids out of the house now!), and some are perfect for bringing the grandparents along as well.
Be aware that not every trail is for every person, and hiking can be risky. Consider your personal fitness, skill level, and the weather. Take precautions and heed “No Trespassing” and warning signs. Never hike alone.