Hiking with children is fun!

If you are someone like me, hiking was something that you truly enjoyed before you had children. Whether it’s distance, height, strong winds, or rain nothing would stop me from walking. However, things change when you become a parent.

Firstly, with a little one, you’ll need to carry everything that he or she needs like wipes, diapers, feeds, etc. Once they’re 3-4 years old and are able to walk, you can’t cover a long distance due to their slow speed.

The list is long but, these are some of the challenges that an outdoorsy parent will face when hiking with children. Here are some tips that I would love to share with you to go hiking with children of any age.

  1. Hiking with 0-12 Months Babies

I would call this stage as “infant packing” as how you take your baby is your primary decision. You should invest in a good baby carrier as it may directly impact the comfort of you and your baby. You need to decide whether you have to get a sling carrier or a backpack carrier. If your baby is under 6 months, it is advisable to swaddle him/her at the front. Before hitting a trail, make sure your baby is comfortable in the carrier. For this, get him or her used to it by carrying them in the new carrier when you go out for shopping or a walk.

Dress them up properly to protect them from harsh weather on the trail. It would be great if you hike at the naptime of your baby to avoid disturbing their sleep cycle. Simplify things by limiting primary hike to 2-3 hours.

  1. Hiking with 1-3 Years Toddlers

Adaptability is the key to a successful hiking with a 1-3 years old toddler as due to their low speed, they would not be able to cover the whole distance themselves. You may have to carry them to some distance. You can stop at various spots and allow them to explore! You should choose a kid-friendly trail, which is less rough.

Boots aren’t necessary for a toddler; you can make them wear sneakers as they’re more comfortable. Don’t forget to carry an extra pair of socks as he or she may step into a puddle. Even if you’re hiking in summer, carry a lightweight base layer for them.

  1. Hiking with 5-12 Years Old Children

If you’re hiking with a primary school aged child, try to finalise a destination, where your children can enjoy too. Therefore, ask for inputs from them when planning a hiking destination or packing their gear. At this age, children get bored easily, so make a list of fun activities that they can enjoy along the route. I would suggest you try Geocaching, it is similar to a treasure hunt. In this game, your children will search a geocache using a GPS enabled device such as mobile, digital compass, or a watch.

Also make them learn the rules of hiking as they are of utmost importance for their safety.

Safety Rules for Young Children on the Trail

  • Tell them to always remain within the sight of parents.
  • Always keep a safety whistle with them and teach them to blow it when they feel they’re lost.

These are some of the tips to enjoy a hiking trip with children of any age. Don’t limit yourself and your children to indoors, get outdoors and have some fun!