4 year olds first trip?

[Thardy]

I am going to take my 4 year old out this spring on his first trip to Moab. Do you guys have any trail suggestions that won't scare the crap out of him, so that he will want to go again? Right now the plan is to do the loop Poisen Spider, Golden Spike, and Gold Bar Rim. Is that to much for his first trip, or should I stick with something more like Hell's Revenge or Steel Bender?

 

[DOSS]

I have taken both of my little girls (now 4 and 2) on PSM, Hells, Fins and things, and only had them get out when doing escalator or Hells Gate (risk of me doing something stupid).. they both love it and my oldest always wants to get tippy so she can see the ground out of her window. so the crazier the better for my twits..

That said it is all about the kid and how long they can hang in the car, make sure you have things for them to do just like on a long drive. Take him through Rattlesnake and the Con and see what he thinks.

 

[snccoulter]

Scott you are always full of good info.

 

[DOSS]

Scott you are always full of good info.

Go to work Steve where you belong

 

[Grim]

young kids = short trails , dont make them feel like they are locked in a vehicle. make a lot of stops so they can get out and play, and they will like any trail you take them on

 

[rholbrook]

The problem with a 4 yr old is their attention span. Those are all really long trips unless you have a video set up or make lots of stops. My suggestion would be Fins and Things and Hells Revenge and then stop a bunch to let them get out and run around.

 

[ID Bronco]

I have four kids and am way paranoid, so I stay away from the cliffs as much as I can wiht them so we can get out and play without me having a heart attack. lol

Good advice already given. Lots of breaks, and SNACKS go a long way with my kids.

 

[kmboren]

I have four kids and am way paranoid, so I stay away from the cliffs as much as I can wiht them so we can get out and play without me having a heart attack. lol

Good advice already given. Lots of breaks, and SNACKS go a long way with my kids.

X2. I have always started my kids out young like 4-6 months and my three year old loves it. She always ask me when we are going to go and play on the rocks. She likes being in the jeep as much as she likes being out of it. On the breaks make sure they have fun. My girl loves to ty to climb/hike on the rocks. Have fun and hope she enjoys it.

 

[Thardy]

I think he will love it. His favorite thing in the world is the Jeep, but he hasn't really been on any trails besides the dirt trail behind our house. He even made me put pictures of the jeeps on his wall and tells every one all about how he is going to the Golden Crack.

 

[jackjoh]

I agree with all of the above. Started my daughter when she were born and in the case of his and hers boys when they were 5, 5, and 9. They all started driving when they were 9 (off road) and as of today the 4 kids have had three accidents among them (one was their fault) and the youngest is now 54. My kids loved it and we will be meeting in Death Valley this year to do some more.

 

[redneckbronco]

Thats awesome JackJoh! My oldest is 12 and we started wheelin when she was 4, and my oldest boy was 6mo to a year. We had a bone stock Sammi that my daughter and niece called the Puddle Jumper. Weve had a lot of different rides since then, but my favorites have been my two sammis. For now the B2 will do but Im lookin for another Sammi as soon as my taxes come back. We have 3 rugrats now and we love going wheelin as long as the kids get to get out to xplore from time to time, I think in the last few years some of my best times have been out wheelin with the family. So have fun and be safe!

 

[ALF]

I think it depends on the kid. I took my daughter, who is now 10, up around the snakes when she was 3-4. Nothing too serious never even put it in low but she got so freaked out looking out the window and not seeing the ground I had to call the wife to calm her down.

I took my son who is 7 now, on the snakes when he was 4 and he loved it, actually fell asleep on the way out. He has not missed a trip since then. I usually load up the night before we go on a trip, he'll wake me up at 5 in the morning wanting to go or sleep in the living room so I don't forget to take him

My daughter is starting to come around but you can still see the fear in her eyes on obstacles, she usually gets out with Mom.

Good luck hopefully you find out you have a new co pilot, I love mine and can't imagine going wheeling without him, I've even taught him to talk smack on my buddies Toyota

 

[jeep4fishing]

My parents took me when I was old enough to hold my head up on my own. They were with some of the original groups going to Moab over Easter and I remember taking trips to Robbers Roost, Burr Trail (pre pavement) and exploring the Maze district though now they don't venture too far off pavement. They brought me up enjoying the outdoors by sharing their passion.

I was able to get them onto White Rim and Thompson Canyon this summer and rekindled their interest and they are planning on going on several more trips this year. I say get the little ones out there young, teach them young, and you may end up raising the next generation of four wheelers.

 

[Bear T]

My 2 year olds first trip was Gold Bar Rim, he rides in my dads Bronco on most runs. Now his favorite words are "tip over Grandad, lets tip over" He is hooked, he has more rock crawler toys than spiderman.

 

[allterrain]

I've had my kids out wheeling before they could walk in car seats and they have loved it at all ages (18 yr. old twins and a 13 yr old.) Sometimes the rougher the trail the faster they would fall asleep!
Good advice here, just take it easy and make sure they are strapped in well.

 

[utah340six]

this will be my grand sons 3rd trip to ejs.
he was 4 days old first time.
made it so i can remove passanger seat and put his in.
look comfy to me.
last year afc.
had 2 kids under 2 that week end.
never to young

 

[ret32]

young kids = short trails , dont make them feel like they are locked in a vehicle. make a lot of stops so they can get out and play, and they will like any trail you take them on

X2 or 3 or ...

I took my 1st kid out for the first time at 11 months old, 2nd kid-5 months. They both love it! Snacks are king! If I'm with a group, I let em get out every time we stop to check out an obstacle and watch others; even if it is only for a couple of minutes (4 year olds are great hecklers, good at egging on your buddies). I always try to stop about halfway through the trail for at least an hour to do some hiking and eating. Even if it's just messing around off the side of the trail with no real destination. Getting in and out a lot and exploring the area on foot is part of the adventure for the little ones.

Specific trails?

Fins N Things & Hells Revenge are great as has been mentioned; lots of places to get out and explore for awhile.

I really like the Four Wheel Drive Road in Arches National Park; you can "hike" to Eye of the Whale Arch and Tower Arch, both within a thousand feet or so from the road.

3D is great for getting out on foot as well. You can stop and let the kids loose at the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Quarry, Tusher Tunnel, and (if you're built for it), you and the kids can walk through The Pickle and be mommy's spotter. If you're not built for it, you and the kids can hike through the Pickle while mommy drives around to pick you up at the other end.