?No more walking!? my three-year-old screamed during his first hike without a carrier. We weren?t even halfway. Remembering the bubbles in my backpack, we decided to end with a smile instead of completing the hike at all costs. 
My husband and I have guided paddling, dogsled and backpacking trips over the years?but adventuring with our own little ones is completely different. 
Like a lot of families who have been driven outdoors by pandemic restrictions, we?ve realized it?s important to adjust expectations and celebrate just making it outside, whether the path leads through Toronto?s ravines or Alberta?s Rocky Mountains. Here?s how to make happy trails for even the youngest explorers.
Prioritize
Tanya Koob, owner of the blog Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, says to ?gradually work your way up to the bigger kilometres and days. Bring friends [COVID permitting!], keep it light and let the children lead. If they just want to stop and play in the creek, let them play.?  As parents, it?s easy to get caught up in what we think we ?should? be doing (thanks, Instagram), but hiking tunes us in to what we really need. There are as many reasons to hike as there are places to hike. Finding a path to explore can provide what so many of us have been craving over the last year: fresh air, healthy movement and meaningful connection to ourselves, to nature and to loved ones. 
Plan
The steps that happen before lacing up your hiking boots can feel overwhelming. ?Fortunately, the...