Exciting Ways to Keep Kids Entertained While Hiking in The Smoky Mountains

Hiking in The Smoky Mountains you will find stunning landscapes, magical creatures and fresh mountain air, presenting the perfect opportunity to relax and take in everything around you. That is as long as you don't have someone asking every ten minutes "Are we there yet?" When the excitment begins to wane make sure you have a full-proof back up plan. With fun hiking games you can transform your ordinary hike into a fun-filled adventure.

Included in The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide

1. Scavenger Hunts

   
   

   One of the easiest ways to keep kids entertained while hiking in the Smoky Mountains is with a scavenger hunt, you can create one yourself or find one online. Kids will be too busy looking for pinecones and berries to think about how long they've been walking. Plus kids will have the opportunity to observe nature and develop problem solving skills all while hiking contently.

   
   

   To explore my favorite scavenger hunts including a cades cove, creek and nature scavenger hunt all created specifically for The Smoky Mountains click here.

2. Trail Map Reading

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   Keep kids minds engaged with maps made for popular Smoky Mountain trails. Children will have the opportunity to follow their map leading the way for everyone else. Marking off any landmarks they come across like bridges, flower beds and large rocks. Children will learn navigational skills while also practicing awareness and having fun!

   
   

   Allow kids to take turns directing the group, identifying landmarks or searching for the next marker on the map. Children will also be developing valuable skills like teamwork and boosting confidence. After all are you even a real explorer if you don't have a map in your hand?

   
   
   
   

3. Camera Ready

   
   

   In Smoky Mountains National Park you never know what could pop up weather it's a bug or a new flower your kids will delight in capturing photos of all of the things they've never seen before. You can also use a photo hunt listing the types of things to take pictures of weather it's the weirdest thing they saw or a pinecone kids are sure to be too busy to think about complaining.

   
   

4. Fairy Investigation (also includes Troll Investigation)

   
   

   Add a sprinkle of enchantment to your hike with a "real" fairy investigation! The adventure begins when you come across a "Top Secret" letter. You will be instructed to venture to a trail suspected of fairy activity, and keep on the lookout for anythings that could reveal fairies to be real. After you accept the mission you will be expected to read on to learn about fairies and characterisitcs they poses. Kids should take pictures and mark anything particularly magical on the map. When kids come across the "real" fairy house they will be thrilled that they completed there mission for real!

   Don't worry you will be given instructions on where to find The House of The Fairies so you don't miss it. So don't just hike with ypur family explore on a one of a kind adventure. You have never hiked like this!

   
   

   To learn more about the fairy investigation click here.

   
   
   
   

5. Animal Watching

   
   

   The Smoky Mountains National Forest is home to 240 species of birds and 65 different species of mammals and 80 types of reptilians/amphibians giving you an incredible chance to look for something you've never seen before. During a hike kids can keep their eyes on the sky looking for some of the easily identifiable bird types, marking off the ones they see and learning fun facts about many of the birds living in the forest.

   
   
   
   

6. Would you Rather

   
   

   A simple game that helps you grow closer to your kids, learning their prefrences and personality type all while entertaining them.

   
   
   
   

   Other Activities Not Included in The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide

1. Alphabet Game

2. I spy

3. Sing a song

4. Follow the leader

With the best hiking games and activities your kids are sure to stay happy and entertained for all your Smoky Mountain hikes, weather they are following their maps or looking for the weirdest thing to take a photo of the Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide was made specifically so you can worry-less and explore more.

To learn more about The Smoky Mountain Jr. Explorer Guide press here.