Hiking with little ones

I've received a few emails recently asking for suggestions on hikes I thought were good for younger kids. During the summer L. decided to make a map of the trails she's hiked in Maine for a 4-H project and I'm not sure if some people saw L.'s project at the Cumberland Fair this past week that prompted the emails or if it's just that time of year when people want to be outside with their kids to enjoy the fall.

A screen snap of L.'s map project

Either way, I decided to ask the kids about trails they liked when they were little. I combined their suggestions with mine to come up with this list (which is in no particular order).

Fore River Trail in Portland (off Hobart Street)
It's only a mile with plenty of boardwalks to keep little ones laughing about all the noise they can make running on them.

The girls picked tons of dandelions on this trail and found a treasured seagull feather I believe is still hanging around our house somewhere.

Josephine Newman Sanctuary in Georgetown
There are short loop trails that are flat and easy to navigate with plenty of birds around to listen to and spot.

The Arboretum in Augusta
A little longer hike than some of our other recommendations but the flowers and plants along the way keep the trail interesting. The hosta garden is one of L.'s all-time favorite places.

Biddeford Pool
This is a short, easy hike with plenty of 'treasures' to collect on the rocky shore.

These were the days when seaweed was really interesting and snuck in to the backpack to bring home without realizing how bad it would smell later.


Mackworth Island in Falmouth
This trail had some serious storm damage earlier this spring but it's open now. It's a little over a mile looping trail that's flat and great for strollers and most kids we know have loved the fairy house village and pet cemetery there.
8-year-old G.'s experience on this trip.6-year-old L.'s experience.

Wolfe's Neck Woods in Freeport
The trails at the state park are well-marked and lots of kiosks explaining the wildlife and plants in the area make the trails an educational experience. We also found the rangers to be really helpful in answering the kids' questions when we've visited the park.
7-year old G. describes her experience on this trail.

Recognizing some of the words on the kiosks for G. when she was learning to read was a big deal for her -- and I was thrilled she wanted to practice reading.

Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm in Wells
There are plenty of boardwalks for the kids (mine love the sound of running on boardwalks) to enjoy and beach to explore on the looping trails around the farm.
7-year old G. describes experience on this trail.6-year old L. describes her experience.

Douglas Mountain in Sebago
This 1/4 mile trail is a good "1st mountain climb" experience for little ones. It's a steep climb but it's short and the tower at the top offers an extra incentive for kids to climb to the top.

During our first trip up the mountain, L. insisted on eating her snack with Bunny on the top of the tower.

Jockey Cap in Fryeburg
This is another short hike up a slightly less steep trail than Douglas Mountain but offers great views and an interesting mountain map at the top my kids really liked. But note: parents should hold kids hands at the top because there is a steep drop-off at the top.
7-year old G. describes her experience on trail5-year old L. describes her experience

The kids really liked the small caves on the trail.

Mount Agamenticus in York
These trails are fun because you can start at the top of the mountain to explore the trails, one of which has an old ski lift that my kids think is cool. You can also start at the bottom of the mountain and hike to the top as well if your kids are a little older and want the challenge of hiking a bigger mountain.
7-year-old G.'s experience on this trail.6-year-old L.'s experience.

G., just learning to read had read a sign near this tree suggesting visitors hug it. Since she was so happy to have read the sign, she decided to convince her sister to hug it with her.

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal
It's a short hike to the top of Bradbury Mountain and one my kids enjoyed doing while there was still snow on the ground. There are plenty of looping trails for any length adventure your kids are up to trying.
7-year-old G.'s experience on this trail.6-year-old L.'s experience.

I know this is just the tip of the iceberg for easy hiking trails for little ones in Maine. If you have a suggestion, leave a comment below to share it.

You can also write a short review of a trail your family enjoyed and we'll link it up in our hiking trails database!

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