What are some good games to play with children on hikes?

Question

Sometimes children find long hikes boring and tiring, but if you can turn it around to play some games along the way they can find things a lot more interesting.

What are some good games to play in this regard? The obvious classic is I-spy, but are there any other gems out there?

Answer 1

As I Scout Leader I get to deal with this quiet often. I'll try and list some activities that don't "distract" too much from being in the wild - hopefully they embrace it :)

• Singing (If you got songs and like to sing it's great, but it isn't everyone's cup of tea.)
• Spotting birds and plants (Will require some preparing and experience)
• Learning wilderness skills (Finding a heading using various methods, how to find water, how to forecast the weather)
• Giving them the map (or whatever you navigate with) to let them lead.

I will especially recommend the last point. Being in charge of finding the right way is an occupying activity. Depending on how much supervision you give (or appear to give) they will quickly grasp that they are the ones finding the way.