How to Get the Whole Family Outside and Moving on the Trans Canada Trail this Fall

The Canadian fall season: gorgeous colours, crisp mornings, a warm-but-not-too-warm sun … what could be better? It’s a wonderful time of year to get outside – and yet, with a full schedule of extracurriculars, back-to-school exhaustion, and our overall busy lives (plus a touch of attitude from some unnamed pre-preteens children this author may or may not be related to), it can be a challenge to motivate the whole family to get outside and get moving, on or off the Trans Canada Trail. Here are some tips to motivate Trail-goers of all ages to embrace fall outdoor activities. 

Create shared goals for your outdoor adventures 

A great way to get family members of all ages invested in outdoor time is by making it a collective project. For younger kids, a scavenger hunt or nature-based task list is a fun way to keep them engaged and moving (like really, actually moving forward rather than in a random zigzag pattern that parents of preschool-aged kids may be familiar with). For older kids and adults, set a shared goal and celebrate with a fun activity if you meet it together. The upcoming Great Canadian Hike offers a win-win opportunity for families: you can create a team and celebrate when hit your milestones, plus you’re supporting the one and only Trans Canada Trail! 

Photo credit: Amy Schwartz

Bring snacks, snacks and more snacks 

Have we mentioned snacks? Chances are good that your extremely picky eaters will become ravenous the minute you hit the Trail, so if you’d like to walk, hike or bike for more than four minutes, plan ahead. Granola bars are always a great bet! And of course, don’t forget water so you can stay hydrated and energetic along your route. 

Document your journey 

Encourage your kids to write stories, draw pictures or take photos of their trail outing. Not only will it keep them motivated (though be warned – yes, there are indeed infinite angles of the same tree they absolutely need to photograph), but it will also make the outing fun and engaging. And bonus: it’s a way to get them to concentrate on the exceptionally beautiful environment we’re lucky enough to enjoy from coast to coast to coast. 

Photo credit: Amy Schwartz

Make it a multi-generational movement 

Invite team members! Grandparents, cousins, siblings, friends and chosen family – if you know them and love them, bring them along. Planning an active get-together on the Trail helps you to get some exercise and fit in a family visit in one shot. If you like, invite all your friends and relations to join your Great Canadian Hike team, and you’ll have a built-in advantage when it comes to kilometre goals. 

Remember: Nothing is impossible with some gentle encouragement (and potentially some bribery). So, get outside, get moving, explore the Trans Canada Trail – and have fun! 

Embrace fall hiking with the whole family as part of the Great Canadian Hike! Learn more and register today. 

Main photo credit: Amy Schwartz