Get your child excited about going on a hike. But you can start looking through picture books that feature animals you might encounter on your walk. A simple pre-hike activity, such as tracing leaves and coloring them in, can also help build excitement for the outing. Let the sun be your guide. If you're hoping for a Bambi sighting, deer tend to graze during the early evening hours, just before sunset, as well as in the morning, as do bunnies.
Turtles often catch midday rays by basking on a rock or log.
For humans, mornings and evenings are usually a more comfortable time to hike in the summertime. In the fall and winter, when mornings are chillier, midday can be a lovely time to go. Mark the seasons. If you find an interesting trail near your home, consider hiking it during each season of the year. This will start to introduce the concept of calendars and seasons and how things change throughout the year.