Camping and backpacking with your children can provide them with some valuable life experience and teach them skills which will become more useful and stick with them as they grow older. It's one of those exciting experiences that help children become independent. With the emergence of information technology, children can be seen shirking physical activities. Young children crave for their parents’ attention. Give them the attention and approval that they deserve, but in an outdoor setting, and they’ll accept the outdoors as a reward.

Here are some tips that will come in handy while backpacking with kids

Start with shorter distances and make incremental increases in difficulty. The last thing you want is an exhausted child concluding that this hiking thing is nothing but a pain. To begin with, just undertake a leisurely hike to a lake or other destination, and camp. The camp can be used as a base for short day hikes and fishing. Retreat in case the weather looks treacherous.

The gear should be lightweight as young kids can’t carry much weight on their backs. The weight of the gear determines how quickly one moves. Having lighter gear also means that money has been spent wisely.

Food is always a major driving force. Carry a few snacks and bars as children are most likely to feel hungry during the trip. A light snack or a bar can get a tired and hungry child back on their feet.

Taking age into consideration

0-3 years old

A small child can be carried easily in a child-carrier pack. Doing this can help you cover a longer distance than when the kid is walking. But getting your child to walk is equally necessary. You want your child to explore nature rather than being carried through it on your back.

Small kids tend to feel hungry every now and then, bizarrely. Stop regularly to have a quick bite and a short breather.

If it’s cold, regularly check the toddler’s hands and feet. If they’re warm, their body’s warm too, which means everything is just as it should be. If their hands or feet feel cold, check spots like their neck to determine whether they're okay. If anything seems amiss, don't hesitate to cut the trip short. Your child's health is paramount.

Bring a lightweight tent. Little kids need little sleeping space, and you definitely need a lighter pack to accommodate them.

4-6 years old

During these years, a child is too big to carry a long distance, but too small to walk it as well. Day hiking and car camping can act as an ideal alternative. Short and steady backpacking trips can be planned near lakes that are warm enough to take a dip in.

Play a few word games while you’re hiking. It’ll keep your children busy while they hike. Bestow them with small responsibilities, like lending a hand to pitch the tent. This will start to build up their self-confidence and skill.

6-10 years old

Children grow rather quickly in these years. Kids falling under this age group are ready for a full-fledged hiking experience. A child can begin carrying their own child-sized backpack, but keep it light. Give them a sipper-bottle and a few lightweight things to carry.

Children in this age group need to drink a lot of water as they burn a lot of energy. Carry more food than usual, too. Special lunches and treats can help you make some memorable experiences.

They can now be taught camping and hiking. Also, bestow them with bigger responsibilities like lighting a fire and/or a stove - but always supervise them!

11-13 years old

This is the stage where kids can do pretty much everything. They want adventure. So, give them what they want. Give them a greater degree of freedom, and maybe let them share their tent with friends. Give your child a camera. Re-check their backpack to make sure they’ve kept everything they need.

Conclusion

Camping can teach your children to handle a greater degree of responsibility. They can think maturely if they are independent. Camping and backpacking can give them what iPads and smartphones can’t - life experience.