With the right preparation, hiking with the family can be a memorable experience, instead of a tear-streaked drama.

Just having your kids wear sturdier footwear on the trail at a state park reduces the chance for "throwing a shoe," said Fox Ridge State Park Site Superintendent Glenn Lyons.

"If you're going down a trail, you can slip out of flip flops. On steep inclines, they aren't going to hold up," said Lyons of the trails in the state park, located south of Charleston along Illinois 130.

So, changing the footwear to athletic shoes or something studier makes sense not only for the children but for hikers of all ages.

Other items on the family hiking equipment list should include a water-filled canteen or water bottles, hats and a state park map to guide the way - brochures with maps are available at the park offices or at certain stations. Bug spray applications should guard against not only mosquitoes but ticks and chiggers as well, Lyons said.

Even the hue of your clothing can make a difference with insects during a summer hike in the woods.

"Certain colors attract insects. Neutral colors are better than yellow or red. The bugs like the bright colors," said Rick Goble, site superintendent of Hidden Springs State Park in Shelby County northwest of Stewardson.

Fox Ridge has 11 miles of nine moderate and rugged trails that draw novice and serious hikers each summer. Hidden Springs has a varied network of trails through forests, including a 3-mile-long trail over steep ridges and prairie grass stands. The steepness of the trails at both state parks can catch some hikers off guard.

"People do get surprised when they come out here and see we have no flat trails except for one used by the handicapped for fitness," said Lyons. "It's best not to do any trail blazing out here. The clay soil can be slippery with a steep incline. So there is a good chance you'll slide down the hill if you try it."

But with water to sip and a map to check along the way, the hike can bring a new world to children. Both Fox Ridge and Hidden Springs were created by the last advance of glaciers in Illinois. The hilly, wooded acres contrast greatly with the flat prairies that dominate much of East Central Illinois.

"We say we're the best-kept secret in Central Illinois," said Goble. "You can be walking along on our trails, and a wild turkey will go by, or a deer. All our trails have rest stations to sit on a bench and enjoy it all. All our trails are moderate in difficulty."

Lyons said hiking is good for family recreation because it can be done at any pace. Even family pets are welcomed as long as they are properly controlled on a leash. And a variety of activities are recommended, including tree identification, bird watching, wildlife counting, photography, recording of bird calls and more. But one activity is frowned upon: pet collection from the park.

"We always say leave the trail like you found it, or even better. So it is all right for the children to pick up the box turtle they come across on the trail, but don't let them take it home," Lyons said.

The Fox Ridge and Hidden Springs trails are open all year. Fall is a popular time for hiking to see the autumn colors.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.