What No One Tells You About Spring Hiking With Kids
Updated: Apr 26
Spring is one of the most magical times to be outside with kids. Wildflowers everywhere, tall grasses to run through, and that irresistible urge to just let them go. Before you do, here is a quick guide to a few things worth keeping in mind on the trail so you can enjoy every minute with a little more peace of mind.
Being prepared does not mean being fearful. It means knowing what to look for, having a simple plan, and then getting out there and letting your kids experience the full joy of spring in nature. This is not a list of reasons to stay home. It is a list of reasons to go confidently.
"Knowledge is the best protection. Know what to watch for, take a few easy precautions, and then go enjoy every beautiful moment of it."
Watch Out: Ticks
With all the rain we have been getting, expect lush fields, dense grasses, and kids who want to run straight into all of it. Ticks love exactly these conditions, and they are incredibly good at finding exposed skin quickly. The good news is a few simple habits can significantly reduce your risk.
✅ Before You Hit the Trail
Dress smart: Long sleeves and long pants are your first line of defense. Tuck the shirt into the pants and the pants into the socks to eliminate easy entry points.
Use bug spray: Apply an insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin to exposed skin and clothing. For kids, look for formulas specifically labeled as child-safe.
Stay on the trail: Ticks are most concentrated in dense brush, tall grass, and leaf litter. Staying on cleared paths dramatically lowers your exposure.
🔍 After Your Hike
Do a full body check: Strip down in the bathroom and check everyone carefully, paying close attention to warm, hidden areas like behind the ears, along the hairline, in armpits, behind knees, and between toes.
Shower promptly: A shower within two hours of being outdoors helps wash off any unattached ticks.
Check clothing and gear too: Toss clothes in a dryer on high heat for ten minutes to kill any stragglers.
⚠️ If You Find a Tick
Use a clean pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
As long as the tick is removed within 24 hours, the risk of Lyme disease transmission is low.
Get your tick tested: TickCheck.com will analyze a removed tick for Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens.
Here's a tick latched onto Raya after a long day of spring fun!
Watch Out: Poison Oak
Those gorgeous shiny leaves catching the spring light? Step carefully. Poison oak starts showing off its leaves right around this time of year, and it is easy to brush past without realizing it until a few days later when the rash appears. I learned this the hard way after accidentally stepping in it, and then unknowingly kept wearing the same shoes for days afterward.
⚠️ The Oil is the Problem
The active compound in poison oak is called urushiol, an oil that clings to skin, clothing, shoes, tools, and pet fur. It does not wash away easily and can remain potent on surfaces for months, even years, if not properly cleaned.
The rash typically takes 24 to 72 hours to appear after exposure. If you think you came into contact, wash everything immediately, including your shoes, clothes, and any gear that touched the affected area.
🌿 How to Identify It
"Leaves of three, let it be" is the classic rule. Poison oak has glossy, lobed leaves that grow in clusters of three and can range from bright green in spring to red and orange in fall. When in doubt, do not touch it and keep children on the cleared trail.
🚿 If You Think You Were Exposed
Wash the affected skin as soon as possible with cold water and soap. Avoid hot water as it can open pores and allow the oil to absorb more deeply. Wash all clothing separately and do not forget to clean your shoes thoroughly.
One product I highly recommend keeping in your kit is Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser. I use it on myself and the kids in the shower after any hike where we may have been near poison oak.
Shop Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser: Find it on Amazon →
🦆 Did You Know?
Some people are naturally resistant to urushiol, including the Ohlone people of the Bay Area, who historically used poison oak branches as a building material. Animals like deer, horses, goats, squirrels, snakes, and even dogs and cats are immune to it entirely.
However, if your pet has been running through poison oak, wash them before petting them. The oil transfers easily from their fur to human skin.
Watch Out: Territorial Animals
If you hike in the Bay Area, you have almost certainly come across cows grazing on the hillsides. They look peaceful and completely unbothered, and most of the time they are. But in spring, when calves are being born and mothers are nursing, the entire dynamic changes. These are protective mamas, and they will absolutely charge if they feel their young are being threatened.
"You would think it's just a harmless cow. But a mama with a calf nearby is a completely different animal. Keep your distance and keep moving."
Spring is birthing season across the board, and many animals that are typically passive or avoidant become significantly more defensive and unpredictable when they have offspring nearby. This includes coyotes, deer, wild turkeys, and even nesting birds like red-tailed hawks.
🐄 If You Encounter Cows on the Trail
Stay calm and move slowly. Do not run, as sudden movement can trigger a chase response.
Never get between a cow and her calf. A mother cow will not hesitate to charge if she thinks you are a threat to her baby.
If a cow charges, move quickly to the side rather than running straight ahead. Cows are less agile making sharp turns.
🦌 Other Animals to Be Mindful of in Spring
Coyotes: More active during denning season and will stand their ground if they have pups nearby. Make yourself look large, make noise, and back away slowly.
Deer: Does with fawns can be surprisingly aggressive. If you come across a fawn lying still, leave it alone. The mother is almost certainly close by.
Rattlesnakes: As temperatures warm, snakes become more active on sunny trails. Watch where you step, never reach into brush or under rocks.
🐍 A Note on Rattlesnakes
Spring is prime rattlesnake season in California. They emerge from winter dormancy as the ground warms and are commonly found basking on sun-warmed rocks and trails. Teach kids to stay on the trail, watch where they step, and never approach or poke at a snake.
If someone is bitten, stay calm, keep the person still, keep the bitten limb at or below heart level, and call 911 immediately.
The golden rule for all wildlife encounters: Observe from a distance, never approach, never feed, and always give animals more space than you think they need.
Be Prepared: Muddy Trails
There is no spring hiking without mud, and after the storms we have had this season, some trails have taken a real beating. Many have been temporarily closed and are only now starting to reopen. The key is simply being prepared for what you will find underfoot.
"Nikes and Skechers will not cut it out here. Invest in your feet and they will take you everywhere you want to go."
💟 Why Proper Hiking Shoes Matter
Muddy, wet trails require a shoe with serious grip, ankle support, and water resistance. Good hiking shoes are one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your kids.
Look for shoes with deep lugged soles for grip in mud, waterproof or water-resistant uppers, and a sturdy midsole for support on uneven terrain. Brands I personally love: Danner, La Sportiva, and Bogs.
🥾 Hiking Poles: Worth It
Hiking poles on muddy trails give you a third and fourth point of contact when the ground is slippery, take pressure off your knees on steep descents, and can be the difference between catching yourself and going down hard.
🌱 Stay on the Trail
When trails are muddy, it is tempting to step around the wet spots onto the vegetation beside the path. Please resist this. Walking on the edges widens the trail, damages delicate plant life and root systems, and contributes to erosion.
Check trail conditions before you head out. Apps like AllTrails show recent hiker reports and will often flag closures or hazardous conditions.
Shop my favorite hiking shoes for kids and adults: Browse my full Amazon storefront →
A Few More Things Worth Knowing
Before you head out, here are a few extra habits that can make your spring hikes safer and more enjoyable for the whole family.
📱 Always Tell Someone Your Plan
Before any hike, let someone who is not coming know where you are going, which trail you are taking, and when you expect to be back.
Download your trail map offline before you go using apps like AllTrails or Gaia GPS. Cell service on trails is often unreliable.
🎒 Spring Trail Essentials to Always Pack
Water: More than you think you need, always. Kids dehydrate faster than adults and are often too busy having fun to ask for water.
Snacks: Energy drops fast on trails, especially for kids. Pack calorie-dense snacks like trail mix, nut butter pouches, and fruit.
Sunscreen: Spring sun is deceptive. Overcast skies do not mean UV protection.
A basic first aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers for ticks or splinters, and any personal medication.
A change of clothes in the car: Especially in spring. Mud happens, creek crossings happen, rain happens.
"Spring on the trail is one of the most beautiful things you can show your kids. A little preparation is all it takes to fully enjoy every moment of it."
You are more ready than you think. Pack the layers, check the conditions, stay on the trail, and go make some memories with your kids out there. Spring is waiting for you.
Questions, trail stories, or something I missed? Leave a comment below or send me a message.
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