Mission & Philosophy

Our Mission:

Our mission is to inspire a love for nature while prioritizing your child’s physical and mental health through fun, active outdoor adventures. Little Hikers Long Island gives parents the chance to create lifelong memories and strengthen bonds with their children, all while connecting with other like-minded families in the community. Together, we foster healthy bodies, curious minds, and joyful hearts, helping kids grow into resilient and well-rounded individuals. Through play, teamwork, and mindfulness, we make every moment an opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun—both for kids and parents!

Our Vision:

Our vision at Little Hikers Long Island is to cultivate a generation of children who are connected to nature, empowered by play, and supported by a community of like-minded families. We envision a program where kids grow physically strong, mentally curious, and emotionally balanced while creating meaningful memories with their parents and peers. By inspiring outdoor exploration and fostering holistic well-being, we hope to nurture a lifelong love for nature and equip children with the resilience and confidence to thrive in all areas of life.

Our Philosophy:

As parents, we know how magical it is to watch our kids’ faces light up with curiosity and joy. At Little Hikers Long Island, we believe that nature is the perfect classroom—a place full of wonder, discovery, and endless possibilities.

 Kids thrive when they’re given the freedom to explore, play, and use their senses in the great outdoors. That’s why our program is designed to inspire a love for nature, nurture their curiosity and confidence, and promote both physical and emotional well-being. We want to help your little ones step away from screens and connect with the beauty of the natural world, building healthy habits that last a lifetime.

 Our program is entirely outdoors, letting kids experience the magic of every season. To a child, a rainy day isn’t an inconvenience—it’s an adventure! It’s an invitation to splash in puddles, make mud cakes, and feel the raindrops on their cheeks. Snow? It’s a blank canvas for building and creating. And a stick? It’s not just a stick—it’s a fishing rod, a wand, a drumstick, or whatever their imagination can dream up. Nature provides the best “toys,” encouraging kids to think creatively and explore in ways that traditional toys simply can’t.

 Research shows that playing with natural objects like sticks and rocks boosts imagination and problem-solving skills. A doll will always be a doll, but a rock or stick can be anything your child imagines. It’s in these moments of imaginative play that kids learn resilience, creativity, and the joy of making something out of nothing.

 As parents, how we view and respond to nature shapes how our kids see it too. If we show excitement for splashing in puddles or marvel at the beauty of a snowy day, our children will learn to see nature as something to embrace, not avoid.

 At Little Hikers Long Island, we want to inspire your little ones to love nature as much as we do—to see endless possibilities in every rainy day and every handful of dirt. Together, we can nurture a generation of curious, confident, and nature-loving adventurers. Let’s get outside and make some memories!