Backpacking With Kids: Family-friendly Tips – This guest blog post was written by Jamie Wagner of A to Z Adventure Gear. See the bio below this article to learn more about their fun products that encourage families to get out and explore together!
Spring is here! Are you planning to go out for some fun family adventures? Day hiking with your kids can be so much fun but can also be overwhelmingly special if you’ve never done it before.
Backpacking With Kids: Family-friendly Tips
As a parent of 5 and 8-year-old girls, I believe that your child’s first few experiences doing something like hiking can really make a difference in their attitude and how they like it going forward.
Family Friendly Hiking Archives
You know your family and it will make all the difference to think about what works for your kids and your family before you go. Here are some tips to make your family outing fun and fulfilling for everyone!
You want to make hiking with your family a fun experience and a little planning ahead can really make a difference, especially with small kids.
Weather – Before you go check the forecast. Remember that the weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains, and storms can often come in the afternoon. Do not hesitate to go on a different day if the forecast is not great.
Time of Day – Think about the time of day that might work best for your family. If you have a baby and a toddler, perhaps go in the morning while your toddler has a lot of energy and your baby can take their morning nap in the carrier. Then everyone can take a nap on the way home. Do your kids have more energy after their afternoon naps? Check the weather and take a late afternoon or evening walk. This can also be a less crowded time and you can even bring a picnic lunch to make it more fun and different.
Family Camping Guide: Everything To Know About Camping With Kids
Where to go – It will make your experience so much better if you think about the trail and what works for your family. Make sure you consider the distance and the slope. A nice meandering, mostly flat trail is much better for the little ones when they are starting out. If the path is too steep, they will get tired too quickly and it will not be fun. Do your kids love to play in a stream or water? Consider looking for a trail that follows a river or stream. Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be the most popular way to have fun. A less popular, less crowded trail is always a better option in my opinion.
It can be very overwhelming to know exactly what to bring, but being prepared makes the difference between a great time and a disaster. We have a free downloadable hiking packing list (link to download) that you can get here to help you, but here are the basics to keep in mind.
Gear – You don’t need a ton of gear for a day hike, but you do want to be prepared with layers for changing weather, plenty of water, and snacks. If you have a baby or toddler who is unlikely to walk the whole way, you will need a good baby carrier. Look for one that fits you well and has enough room to carry your water, snacks and extra layers. Soft carriers are great for babies because they keep them cozy and they are often familiar with them. A framed child carrier is great for toddlers because they can look around and experience the hike from your back. Also, if they fall asleep you can (usually) take the pack away and let them sleep in it while you take a break.
Extras – Depending on where you go and the age of your kids you may want to bring some fun activities that they can do along the way. For kids who walk some of the way, you can bring some small shovels and buckets so they can play in the dirt or a stream if you find one. Other fun things to bring are a small magnifying glass, a flower chart to identify flowers, and a scavenger or treasure hunt list. Think about what your kids might like or what games might be fun – sometimes we bring items to look for “Bigfoot” or pick a favorite song to sing along the way.
Hiking With Kids: Family Friendly Treks In Europe
This is the most important, your attitude and your outlook will make a difference in how your kids learn to love hiking. If it’s your first time, my best advice is to pick a nice day and choose an easy trail (not too long and not too steep) that has something fun like a river or a pond.
Have fun – the most important thing, especially when your kids are small is to make it fun, so they want to do it again! It doesn’t matter how far you go or where you end up. You will make memories on the shortest hike that no one has ever heard of! I remember when my daughter was about 18 months old and just learning how to walk. We found a small flat path – she didn’t want to get into the pack, so we let her go and I think we only made it 200 meters from the car, but she loved “hiking” and picking rocks and sticks and smelling flowers And splashing in a small river. It’s not a “must do” trail, it’s not a long hike, it’s not epic or Instagram worthy, but it was a special little moment of family time and she’s loved hiking ever since.
Set realistic expectations – keep in mind that high altitude affects everyone differently (this is especially important to remember if you have guests visiting from lower altitudes or you live at a lower altitude and are hiking at higher altitudes). Your crew may not be able to hike as far or as fast as you do at lower altitudes. Remember that it’s okay to turn around before you reach the end of the lane if you realize your crew is done. It’s better to leave while everyone is still having fun than make everyone miserable trying to reach your destination.
To help you in planning your next family hiking adventure, we’ve created a hiking packing list that will help you think through what gear to bring. Download here.
Hiking With Kids: Our Best Tips For Enjoying Your Family Hikes
A to Z Adventure Gear is a Denver-based company that brings you innovative gear for babies and kids to make your next family adventure easier. Their first product is the
, a unique twist on the baby play mat that quickly folds up and fits in your backpack, diaper bag, or large purse so it can go with you on all your family adventures!
To receive these tips weekly in your inbox. If you are looking for tips on other adventures, you can visit our website
Previous Previous babies on the move! Tips for getting your little one crawling further How to navigate sleep regressions Family hikes are a great way to get your kids outdoors and being more active. Not to mention all the great memories of fun-filled adventures that you will experience together as a family.
Tips For Making Hiking With Kids Fun (and Not Miserable!)
However, organizing a family excursion and hiking with kids is not a mission for the faint of heart. Planning ahead and choosing a fun kid-friendly hike is essential to the adventure’s success. Plus you’ll want to implement these tips once you’re on the trail for a fun family hike.
If you are hiking with a baby that is 1-5 months old, it will to a large degree depend on your fitness. You will want to use a front carrier. If it’s your first time hiking with your baby, aim for a short one of ~2 miles (~3km) because some babies can be fussy in the carrier.
As for the steepness and height gain, it depends on your fitness. But again start easy for your introductory walk. You can always do a harder hike next time if you find it too easy.
You can also look for paved trails or stroller-friendly trails. These are a great option if you want to get out in nature but don’t have anything too physical yet, or if you’re going with a baby and a toddler.
Toddlers On The Trail
If you’re hiking with a baby who is 6 months or older and can sit up alone and weighs 15 lbs or more (see this article for more information), use a backpack carrier. Look for a hike that is 2-3 hours or up to 6 miles (~10 km). You’ll also want to choose a relatively flat hike. Again, you can always progress, but it’s better and much more enjoyable to have it too easy than too hard.
For toddlers, look for a hike that’s up to 2 miles (~3 km). Research shows that toddlers walk an incredible 2 1/2 miles per day. However, this is over a full day and includes falls.
You will also want to ensure that you have a carrier backpack. If you go with toddlers,
Packing tips for backpacking, ultralight backpacking tips book, backpacking tips for beginners, dog friendly backpacking trails, tips on backpacking europe, ultra light backpacking tips, keto friendly backpacking meals, backpacking packing tips, backpacking tips, dog friendly backpacking california, tips for backpacking europe, backpacking tips and tricks