After having children, many people mistakenly believe that they would no longer be able to enjoy hiking activities like going on long walks through the forests or mountains. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to take your kids hiking, so you don’t have to give up on your hobby just because you have kids.
Hiking with kids may be harder than going on a hike with adults, but it is still manageable, and the vast majority of the time, children have a great deal of fun doing it. Take your children on a camping trip or otherwise remove them from the electronic world for an evening or an entire day. They will learn more about nature and develop a greater appreciation for it.
Trail memories may be made at any level of outdoor growth if you do it correctly. For your convenience, we’ve gathered the finest advice for hiking with kids of all ages, from toddlers to preteens and teenagers.
Hiking with Infants (0–12 Months)
- Hiking with a baby? Make sure you have the correct baby carrier for the job!
- Be sure that your youngster is comfortable with a new child carrier before heading out on a hike.
- Hike during naptime to avoid disrupting the sleeping patterns of your little one. The motion of hiking puts most kids to sleep.
- Limit the length of your first couple of hikes to no more than a few hours.
- Keep an eye out for cold, wind and rain, as newborns’ bodies are still developing the ability to regulate their own temperature. Carry along some warm baby boy clothes for this reason.
- Ensure that you have enough disposable diapers and waste bags to double-seal your dirty diapers when you take them out of the house.
- Pack some baby formula and a bottle of water to keep your baby fed up and hydrated.
Hiking with Children Aged 1 to 4 Years Old
- Bring along a water bottle designed for children that features vivid colors and a pattern of animals. Using it encourages drinking.
- Ensure the kid’s feet dry as much as possible by packing an extra pair of socks.
- A little backpack for your toddler to hold something light like a jacket is a great idea. E.g., a bag pack containing a few baby boy clothes.
- It’s possible for even the strongest toddler to get tired and need a lift back. As a result, it’s imperative that you keep track of your location at all times.
- Put up with your toddler’s messy antics and only change into clean clothes if you have to.
Hiking with Children Ages 5 To 12 Years Old
- Determine Where You’d Like to Go: Instead of focusing on high points or scenic vistas, consider places where children may have a good time.
- While You’re At It, Have a Good Time! You can find trees marked with blazes, count the squirrels, sing and participate in creek twig races. Other low-tech activities that can keep children entertained include geocaching and scavenger hunts.
- Allow Time for Rest: Make sure you pull over at regular intervals so that the children may get some fresh air, a sip of water and a snack. You don’t want them to exhaust all of their available energy too soon.
- Teach Them a Few Things about Nature: Take the opportunity to teach your grade-schoolers a few things such as map reading, leaving no trace behind, how to respect nature, planning for a hike and picking the trail.
