Before we had kids, outdoor vacations were a summer tradition, and we enjoyed camping, hiking, and bike riding every chance we got. After our older child was born, I read about people who continued their camping and hiking traditions with baby in tow, but I just couldn't fathom it. Safety was my first concern, along with the gear I'd have to carry. When our second child came along, we searched out simple day outings at our local state park and city forests. This summer, we've decided to take the leap, and this week I plunked down a deposit on a "rustic cabin" in a campground near a popular national park in our state.

The vacation we've planned is very low key and the park is known for being family friendly, but the mother and organizer in me is already making lists. So I thought I'd share this website with you because it has a lot of great information about hiking with children, including a formula to figure out how much your child can carry in his or her pack (if they're big enough to even carry a pack), how far to travel in a day, and how to make it fun and exciting so you don't end up with a miserable child on your hands.

If heading out into the wilderness isn't your cup of tea, keep in mind that hiking with children doesn't have to mean leaving civilization behind. Many urban areas have nature trails, rails-to-trails routes, and other routes that can get your child up close and personal with natural surroundings without packing more than a light snack and some water. That's likely the kind of hiking we'll be doing, we'll just be doing it away from home and adding in the adventure of camping each night.Hiking is an excellent way to expose your children to nature, to teach them to appreciate the outdoors, and to encourage a love of exercise. The American Hiking Society has made a list of the top 10 family friendly hikes, but if your state isn't on the list use their trail finder to find a suitable trail near you. Though some states have a "hiking with kids" link that highlight the best trails for children, not all do. Before you head out, be sure the trail you chosen is appropriate for your little ones. Happy hiking!