Mountain Bothies Association trustee (and firstborn) Juls Stodel suggests a novel approach to getting your teenager hiking in the outdoors in TGO’s new advice column, supported by Highlander Outdoor. Every month, one reader who writes to Juls with an Uphill Struggle will win an £100 voucher to spend with Highlander.
Dear Juls,
My husband and I love walking in the hills and we’ve tried taking the boys (aged 10 and 14) along with us but they complain too much! Unless we bring an enormous bag of snacks, they just drag their feet, say they’re too tired or too hot or too cold and pretend they can’t do it. Do you have any tips for engaging them and encouraging them so that they learn to love it?! Thanks!“Mother Nature”, November 2025
Dear Kim,
Your boys are too probably too old to be inspired by the usual ‘getting kids outdoors’ suggestions of scavenger hunts and bingo cards. As tweens and teens many of us felt misunderstood, dreamed of escape and were fuelled by rebellion. We were usually quite pitiful at both. But the concept of ‘adventure’ is one that unites these romanticised notions, so play to it.
The 14-year-old is your primary target – if the older brother can be convinced, the younger can be led. Speaking as a firstborn myself, if the ten-year-old is the first convert, then the hills just became even more uncool for your eldest and you’ve lost all hope to enjoy the outdoors with him for at least ten years.
Amy (@hooeysyurts), mother to Poppy, 13, and Otto, 9, suggests plotting varied routes to make it more interesting: “[Our] ideal adventure would involve a wood, wild swim, peak and some scrambling”.
Start to hone your boys’ navigational skills by getting them to take it in turns to help plot the route incorporating different landmarks, landscapes and activities. What side quests might interest them? Introduce them to hill lists, or even to geocaching. Empower them to ask for and create the experiences they want rather than passively foot-dragging.
Amy highlights the motivation that simple traditions can create. For her brood, that’s a fully-laden hot chocolate on each outdoors venture. In fact, food in general (as you have found yourself) is a great incentive. Even if it’s just fried eggs in a bun, Amy recommends cooking hot food al fresco. “This element of living outdoors is a thrill!”
How comfortable, acknowledged and accommodated your kids feel is important. “Wet and cold kids equal miserable kids. Invest in the best kit you can.” Amy also allows headphones on standby – if only to avoid a meltdown.
If involvement, new traditions, extra food, and comfortable gear doesn’t get them more motivated, you might have to try a different tact – and your presence might be the biggest obstacle. Maybe they’ll find a love for the outdoors in climbing or bushcraft or canoeing instead before they appreciate hiking – anything they can go away with other grunting pubescents to experience first before incorporating into family outings.
Essentially, you’re going to have to make the hills into something more than ‘just’ walking and be adaptable to your own vision. The more agency you give them over your excursions, and the more they discover the many different ways to enjoy the outdoors, the more they’ll start to seek it for themselves.
Amy’s children now request bothy nights for birthdays and are inspired “by the thrill of both adventure and potential risk.” The new approach could end up creating such a passion for the outdoors that their independent, escalating, future adventures keep you up at night with worry – just remind yourself that this is exactly what you wanted.
Every month, one reader who writes to Juls with an Uphill Struggle will win an £100 voucher to spend with Highlander Outdoor.
