News for Families

Get the latest advice for hiking with kids, opportunities for getting out with your family, and hear from family experts in the WTA community.

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Sir-Hikes-a-Lot: Thru-Hiking 1,200 Miles on the PNT for Kids

Aug 26, 2014

Meet hiking hero, Erik Antonelli (aka Sir-Hikes-a-Lot), who is currently in the middle of hiking 1,200 miles of the rough and rugged Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) to raise funds for WTA’s Youth Program. It's a project he's dubbed Thru-Hiking for Kids.

IslandWood CEO: Your Couch Is Far More Dangerous Than You Think

Jun 03, 2014

Do parents really need to fear animal attacks, abduction and accidents? After looking more deeply into the facts and figures of these perceived threats, IslandWood's president and CEO Ben Klasky raises the question of whether we do children more harm than good in trying to keep kids "safely" indoors.

Destination Darrington: Hike and Visit This Mountain Loop Hub

May 30, 2014

If you've been itching to get out on the gorgeous trails along the Mountain Loop Highway, now is the time to visit. A coalition of outdoor and recreation partners have made visiting the area around Darrington easy with a map guide to outdoor destinations and local businesses.

Hike, Backpack and Camp: Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

May 22, 2014

With Memorial Day weekend coming early this year, you might still be nailing down your hiking, camping and backpacking plans. Read out tips for exploring snow-free destinations and scoring last-minute camping spots.

Cape Disappointment Is No Disappointment

Apr 27, 2014

Mid-winter break brings adventure and exploration on the southwest Washington coast to one family.

Choosing the Right Hiking Boots for Your Kids

Mar 31, 2014

Selecting kids’ hiking gear is as much about fit and performance as it is matching their personality. We hit the trail with three little ones to hand-pick a selection of kids’ hiking boots: the Salomon XA Pro 2 K trail runners, Lowa Kody GTX Mid Kids and the Vasque Breeze 2.0 WP boots.

Slideshow: Bonding and Building Trails in a New Community

Mar 06, 2014

With help from WTA's gear lending library and mini-grants, a group of teens with the Coalition of Refugees from Burma gave back to Washington's trails and got to know each other better as they built a new section of trail on Cougar Mountain.

Sally Jewell Aims to Put Young People to Work on Public Lands

Jan 09, 2014

The Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, secures the first million towards an initiative aimed at putting 100,000 young people and veterans to work outdoors on conservation and stewardship of public lands.

Choose from 25 'First Day Hikes' in State Parks

Dec 18, 2014

Start your year with a hike outside. Washington State Parks are hosting guided First Day Hikes in 25 parks around the state on Jan 1. Choose one close to you, and spend your New Year's Day playing outdoors.

Starting Your Own Outdoor Traditions

Nov 29, 2013

The holiday season is rife with traditions. This year, include a hike in your annual plans -- or plan a year of adventures for 2014.

WTA and Youth: Our Favorite Moments on Trail in 2013

Dec 04, 2013

From youth leaders to volunteer crews to the launch of our brand new Outdoor Leadership Training program, celebrate some of the our favorite youth moments on trail this year.

Treats for Tots (and Older Kids, Too)

Dec 04, 2013

Stuck on what to get a certain young one for the holiday season? Get the budding outdoor enthusiasts in your life something on our list and you're sure to hear about how cool it is all next hiking season.

Keep Kiddos Warm On Winter Adventures

Nov 12, 2014

Around every corner of a winter hike is the opportunity to see Washington from a new perspective. Snowshoeing or cross country skiing are great ways to introduce little ones to the beauty of winter. Even if you don't have snowshoes or skis, there are plenty of options that remain snow-free year round, so you can get out without having to save up.

Teens Improve Trails Renamed for Jim Whittaker, Nawang Gombu

Oct 15, 2013

King County recently renamed two trails on Cougar Mountain in honor of Jim Whittaker and the late Nawang Gombu. Together, the newly named trails form a 3.2-mile loop. The very next day, WTA youth volunteer crews were working to improve the trails for hikers in years to come.

How To Get Your Disney Princess-Obsessed Kid Out Hiking

Sep 25, 2013

Do princesses hike? In Washington, they do. From Tiana to Merida, Ariel to Princess Leia, if your kid can't get enough of Disney princesses, then use our princess guide to Washington trails to get your little one out hiking.

Take a Scavenger Hunt

Sep 23, 2013

How do you keep kids connected to nature when school and sports activities compete for attention? Launch a scavenger hunt between soccer games in a city park! WTA's Hiker Scavenger hunt allows kids to look, listen, touch and explore their local environment - all in an hour.

Backpacking with Baby: 15 Days 'Round Rainier

Aug 20, 2013

One family spends 15 days and 14 nights on the Wonderland Trail -- with a 9-month-old baby. For families who are wondering if they should backpack with baby, WTA trip reporter MikeOnAHike answers four of the most common questions they get along the trail. Check them out, and get inspired by their adventure.

Taking Kids Camping for the First Time

Jul 19, 2013

Get tips for camping with kids and ideas for kid-friendly hikes near Mount Rainier from Youth Programs Manager Krista Dooley as she shares her experience taking her nephew camping and hiking for the first time.

A Choose Your Own Adventure Memorial Day

May 21, 2013

You want to get your family outside hiking for Memorial Day weekend, but you're not sure where to go. You either a) find hikes near your campsite b) throw the kids in the car and snag a first-come, first-serve campsite c) take them backpacking or d) take some phenomenal day hikes.

Three River and Waterfall Hikes for Families

May 21, 2013

A selection of beautiful, family-friendly hikes featuring rivers and waterfalls.

Take Your Mom Hiking (in 3 Easy Steps)

May 10, 2013

Moms are the best. So, plan to take her hiking using our 3-step guide: pick a great hike, pack a picnic, capture the moment.

Low Tides Bring Outdoor Opportunities

Apr 25, 2013

Low tides in Puget Sound and along the Pacific Coast bring opportunities to discover an ecosystem usually inaccessible to those who like to keep their feet on solid ground. Tide pooling is a great way to get outside and explore nature in springtime, whether you choose a city beach or a hiking trail along the coast.

Then and Now: 100 Years at Kayak Point Park

Mar 19, 2013

With short beach strolls, evergreen forest, views of picturesque Port Susan and yurt camping, Kayak Point Park has attracted fun and families for more than a century. Explore a slideshow of scenes from the park in the early 1900's, and then sign up for a volunteer work party to take part in shaping the modern day trails on Kayak Point.

Play Bird Bingo on Your Next Winter Hike

Dec 23, 2014

Spotting wildlife is a great reason to get outside and hike in the winter. Up your chances of seeing birds on these kid-friendly bird hikes, and turn it into a game by taking along a copy of Winter Bird Bingo.

Two Teens Advocate for Getting Outside, WTA

Nov 28, 2012

Meet two high school seniors (and long-term volunteers) who will be adding their voices to the Youth Committee at Washington Trails Association. In the coming gear, Helen Miller and Tzuria Falkenberg will work with WTA board members and staff to develop and improve WTA’s youth programs for families, teens, and young adults.

Fun and Games on Trail: Getting Kids Outside in Fall

Oct 05, 2012

How do you keep kids active and engaged with the natural world during autumn? We put the same question to our Facebook community, and heard great ideas from educators, parents, and other people who hike with kids.

Community Partners Get Youth on Trails

Jul 05, 2012

WTA appreciates the effort our community partners put into organizing a day of volunteer trail maintenance for youth.

The True Essentials for Hiking with Kids

Mar 01, 2012

Pack the Ten Essentials, plus a few more, to ensure your next hike with kids is a winner.

Amgen Foundation Grant Supports Youth Volunteers

Sep 29, 2011

The Amgen Foundation has awarded the WTA youth program a $15,000 grant. Two employees also helped out by delivering ice cream to a group of high school volunteers in August.

Kids Hike the Wonderland Trail

Sep 09, 2008