Leave No Trace: 7 Simple Ways Families Can Protect Nature

At Kids Who Explore, we believe every family adventure is a chance for kids to learn, grow, and love up on our earth. That’s why we follow and teach the Leave No Trace principles. We start teaching kids in toddlerhood about nature and how to respect it. It can be very challenging with curious little explorers but it is critical to help teach these principles for our future and earth.

I knew that I wanted to teach my babies all about the wild

These 7 simple guidelines help us take care of trails, forests, rivers, and wild spaces, so future generations of explorers can enjoy them just as much as we do.

Here’s how families (yes, even the littlest hikers!) can practice Leave No Trace every time they step outside:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Family adventures go smoother (and safer) with good planning. Check trail conditions, weather, and local rules before you head out. Pack what you need for your kids — from snacks and diapers to backup layers and a first aid kit. When you’re prepared, you’re less likely to make an impact on the environment. If you are planning on exploring with a group, ensure you follow trail limits and ensure everyone is prepared.

Kid Tip: Let your little explorer help pack their own trail bag!

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stick to the trail, even if it’s muddy. Walking off-trail can damage fragile plants and animal homes. If you’re camping, choose established campsites or flat, rocky areas to pitch your tent. Try not to let kids throw rocks around camping areas to keep the integrity of the camping spaces.

Kid Tip: Turn this into a trail game: “Can we spot the best path without stepping on wildflowers?”

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

This one’s big: Pack it in, pack it out. All garbage — wrappers, wipes, diapers, and food scraps — goes home with you. Even "natural" items like banana peels don’t belong on the trail. Please teach your kids how to dispose of trash.

If there’s no garbage bin at the trailhead or day-use area, bring your own trash bag and carry it out.

Kid Tip: Give your child their own mini “Leave No Trace” trash bag to fill!

4. Leave What You Find

Rocks, sticks, feathers, and flowers are fun to find, but they belong in nature, not your backpack. Encourage your kids to take photos or draw what they discover instead of taking it home. I know this can be so challenging but try your best to leave our beautiful trails wild. I was in Rainier National Park during summertime and the most magical wildflowers danced alongside the trail. Sadly, a child plucked handfuls of vibrant wildflowers enroute up to the viewpoint. The parents encouraged it. My kids looked at me and said, 'but the bees need those flowers mommy.'

Kid Tip: Create a nature journal where they can sketch their favorite finds!

5. Minimize Campfire Impact

If you’re camping, use a camp stove when possible or stick to designated fire rings. Never build a fire in a new spot or use big logs. Make sure every fire is fully out before you leave. Our first camping trip of the season was less than ideal as the campers took our reserved spot then left a burning pile of garbage behind. We poured water over the fire and packed out all the leftover hashbrowns, eggs, plastic utensils, leftover dinner, and other camp trash. It was our anniversary morning at camp and it so frustrating to start the day cleaning up after irresponsible campers.

Kid Tip: Teach fire safety by letting older kids help with campfire rules and water buckets.

6. Respect Wildlife

Watch animals from a distance and keep noise low. Feeding animals (even cute ones) is dangerous for them and can change their natural behaviors. Remind kids that wild animals are not pets. We have so much exploring and searching for rabbits, frogs, worms, butterflies, and more! You can look from the trail and enjoy, take a photo but do not approach.

Kid Tip: Turn wildlife spotting into a quiet challenge — how many birds can we hear?

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

We share the trails! Yield to others, keep voices and music low, and model kindness and respect. Everyone is out there to enjoy the peace and beauty, so help keep it that way. I have been glared at and told I was crazy to bring kids in the outdoors so it is important to remember that you belong in the outdoors too.

Kid Tip: Teach trail manners like saying “hello!” to hikers and moving over for uphill travelers.

Let’s Leave It Better Than We Found It

The outdoors are for everyone, and it’s up to us to protect it. Whether you’re hiking, camping, biking, or just having a picnic in the park, every activity means that we need to the outdoors how we found it. I have cleaned way too many trailside garbage piles and we have run many trail cleanups because way too many people don't treat the outdoors respectfully.

By practicing Leave No Trace, we raise the next generation of responsible explorers — kids who care deeply for the world around them.

Let’s adventure responsibly and leave wild spaces wild.