Parent Corner: Taking a Wildflower Walk with Your Child

Photo by Sally Collins.

Hikes with children – whether they’re tots or adolescents – can be a challenge because they’ve got short legs and short attention spans. But I love a good hike, especially in Door County, and I want my daughter, Greta, to share that love as well. 

After a few hikes punctuated by constant cries of “I want to go to the playground!” and “Uppie. Uppie. Uppie!” a friend suggested taking a treat along on a hike – something special like M&Ms or fruit snacks or Smarties – to tap into that reward system our brains are wired to respond to.

I took the advice and packed some peanut butter M&Ms (my favorite). Then we made up a game: For every wildflower Greta discovered, she’d receive an M&M. No, not every single flower down the entire trail – each kind. (Greta was confused about that rule as well.)

Off we went, down the wooded path, and there she went, scouring the trail’s edge for flowers. 

“Look, Mom. Look!” 

Throughout our hike, she found periwinkles and forget-me-nots, dandelions and anemones, little purple irises, and big, white trilliums. Soon we were counting petals (bonus M&Ms) and spotted a garter snake (double bonus). I handed off an M&M for the giant turkey feather she found as well because – why not?

Greta’s little brain started wondering and working.

“Is that a momma snake?”

“Worms live in dirt. That is their home.”

And my favorite, “Do bees toot?”

An engaged child is a happy child, and a happy child makes for a very happy parent. So grab a special treat, choose any Door County trail to explore and see what your kiddo discovers.